Tips for Experiencing VR on Your Smartphone
Virtual reality is one of the best advancements the technology world has seen. Although it hasn’t gone mainstream, it is one of the technologies able to change the modern world in various ways. The entertainment industry is one of those that VR has greatly impacted.
VR is still evolving with advancements like the ability to experience it on a smartphone. You might have heard about this before but not experienced it yet. This article provides tips for enjoying VR on your smartphone anywhere and anytime. Let’s get into it!
Understanding Smartphone VR
The primary way of experiencing VR is using a good VR headset. But some VR headsets like HTC Vive and Oculus Rift can be expensive. Also, they use powerful computer hardware that can also be costly. The software runs on a computer while the headset acts as your display.
Not everyone can afford to invest in high-end VR headsets and software. If you cannot invest in such a system, the best option will be to use VR on your smartphone. In this case, you only need to have your smartphone, install the right VR app or game and start experiencing it.
Your phone will act as the processing unit and a display screen. But then, smartphone VR is still a new concept. You might need to follow updates from sites such as android news or roar to VR to know the latest about it. However, it would be best if you considered learning how it works first to be ready.
The good news is that smartphone hardware is getting powerful every day. Virtual reality works on powerful hardware, meaning smartphone VR has a bright future. The tips below will help you get ready to embrace the smartphone VR revolution that’s quickly gaining pace across the globe.
The Best Tips For Experiencing VR on Your Smartphone
Making the most of smartphone VR starts with knowing how to best experience it. This section will provide some of the best tips to keep in mind if you want to get started with smartphone VR. Here’s what to do if you want to get started with smartphone VR!
Know If Your Phone Supports VR
You cannot be sure your phone supports VR unless you try it. Or unless that’s listed among the specifications on the user manual. However, there’s a high chance that your phone supports VR. Smartphone manufacturers aim to make futuristic devices supporting this new tech.
You don’t need to worry about your smartphone’s operating system. Android and IOS devices support VR as long as they’re enabled. They have gyroscope sensors that allow you to experience VR apps and move your head to look around the app or game.
There also might be a magnetometer sensor. This tool makes it easy to navigate an app or game. You can use it if you have issues looking around in a game. It works like a mouse, so you can check if your headset has the button that will help you trigger it.
Find a Compatible Headset
The headset you use will also determine how good your experience will be. There are various kinds of headsets available in the market today. You need to choose the best VR headset from the wide range of options available. It has to be compatible with your smartphone.
You can also make a DIY VR headset to use with your smartphone. There are a few items that you will need to make this happen. For instance, you will need a headset compatible with a Google Cardboard. You will also have to invest in a magnet and lenses, which are essential.
Know the Virtual Reality Apps to Download
There are various apps that you can use to experience VR. Investing in the right software will make it easy to make the most of virtual reality. Some of these apps only work on either the Android or IOS platforms. But some work perfectly on both platforms, which can simplify work.
Every app comes with unique features and experiences. For instance, some allow users to move around them using a wireless joystick. Your app choice will depend on your needs and the experience you’re looking for.
Google Cardboard is one of the apps you can choose if you want to experience VR on your smartphone. Others include YouTube, VR One Cinema, Roller coaster VR, 360VRTube, Titans of Space, and many more. All these apps and services are compatible with both Android and IOS operating systems.
Search for Relevant Content
Content is an essential component of experiencing virtual reality. The good news is that there’s a lot of content available online. Thus, you won’t struggle to find content; the issue will be choosing relevant content. Otherwise, you might choose content that won’t be interesting to you.
For instance, you might need to choose from the videos available on YouTube. 3D videos give a great experience, and you need to start by determining whether a video is 3D before using it. This video format is immersive, and you might think it is VR, while it technically isn’t.
You might need some inspiration to help you know what videos to use. An excellent example of the videos that should guide you is the National Geographic 360-degree videos. You can search for the best videos for inspiration by entering “virtual reality videos” into the search button.
Smartphone VR Will Keep Growing in Popularity
There are many misconceptions surrounding virtual reality technology. One is that you need a high-end VR headset to experience this technology. We hope this article has provided the facts you needed. You now know how to enjoy virtual reality on your Android or IOS smartphone.
The first step should be checking if your phone is VR-compatible. Some phones, especially older models, might not support this technology. Then, ensure you invest in a headset that will be compatible with your phone. Lastly, have the right apps and ensure you search for relevant content.
Dan has had hands-on experience in digital marketing since 2007. He has been building teams and coaching others to foster innovation and solve real-time problems. Dan also enjoys photography and travelling. He is a skilled Table Tennis player. Thanks, Dan for participating in our blog!
