Mattel's View-Master virtual reality viewer is getting some major upgrades that will make it one of the best Google Cardboard headsets when it is rolled out this fall. It is now unveiling its new Viewer DLX hardware at the New York Toy Fair. Last week the View-Master became Apple's best-selling VR hardware sold in physical and online stores.
The toymaker's original VR viewer has a retail price of $30, but is about two dollars cheaper on Amazon. DLX will reportedly cost $40 but will have some big upgrades.
For example, the first version of View-Master VR viewer includes a plastic adapter for small phones such as iPhone 5. However, the unit itself has been improved so a wider range of phone sizes can fit inside the smartphone mount, according to Gizmodo.
Furthermore, instead of hearing the smartphone's unclear stereo speaker View-Master users can use headphones more easily, according to Tech Crunch. Version 2.0 will include a headphone jack adapter that works with units that have a jack on either the top or bottom.
The new VR viewer will also include improved lenses and a focal adjustment at the top of the viewer. A focus wheel will allow sharper images, and a new viewer latch will prevent it from popping open during users' VR experience.
Google Cardboard is an even cheaper headset at $20. However, one general advantage of the platform is that there are few buy-ins for smartphone owners before they can start viewing VR content.
The Cardboard headset was launched about 1.5 years ago in 2014. Since then over five million VR viewers have been shipped. Mattel shocked the tech world when it unveiled its View-Master VR headset, and now it plans to double-down with the new features of its Viewer DLX.
Still, the future of the original Cardboard headset is dubious. The Alphabet company is reportedly developing new VR devices.
It will launch a new version of Google Cardboard that will include a plastic casing, sensors, and computer chips. Meanwhile, a stand-alone VR headset requiring no smartphone or PC will feature its own screen, processors, and out-facing cameras. Google also has plans to update its Android OS to support the brand new VR gadgets.