Apple is now officially selling the View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack on its online store, offering the gadget for $29.95.
The move may be a bit surprising to some, especially considering that we recently heard rumbles that Apple had a secret VR team working on an in-house virtual reality headset.
Truth be told, virtual reality is on the rise and it's increasingly gaining momentum. Apple may not be ready to offer its own VR headset just yet, but in the meantime, it seems content with offering such a gadget on its online store.
The View-Master is a true classic, first debuting back in 1939 to allow for a 3D view of colored slides. Last year, Google and Mattel teamed up to breathe new life into the old View-Master, turning it into a virtual reality headset.
In fact, the new View-Master combines augmented reality with virtual reality to allow users to go on intriguing adventures. With Experience Packs, the View-Master allows users to navigate various destinations, space, and wildlife, through a VR and AR mix.
The View-Master Starter Pack includes a Preview Reel that allows users to get a taste of VR apps such as Space, Destination, and National Geographic: Wildlife. View-Master VR Experience Packs, meanwhile, will let users check out each of those new worlds, but they're sold separately.
"The View-Master Virtual Reality Viewer turns your iPhone into a portal to immersive adventures in virtual reality," Apple notes on its product page. "Experience a whole new level of realism as you explore and launch yourself through time and space into 360-degree views that completely surround you."
To take advantage of the new worlds View-Master opens up, users can simply download one of the View-Master apps on their iPhone, slide it into the viewer and put the included Preview Reel in front of them. A 3D augmented reality menu will pop up and clicking the lever there will kick off the experience.
The View-Master is not the only VR headset to work with an iPhone, but it's the first to be available for purchase on Apple's online store. Apple could add some more such products in the future, but for now the View-Master is the only one in its portfolio.
With its own VR project in the pipeline, Apple could well be testing the waters with the View-Master offering. The gadget can be a good platform to get a sense of consumer desires and expectations, and it could help Apple perfect its own take on a VR headset.
It's worth pointing out, however, that Amazon is currently selling the View-Master Starter Pack for $17.74, which is significantly less than what Apple is charging.
To learn more about the View-Master, check out the video shown.
