A little over a week ago, Google and Mattel teased an upcoming announcement and based on the invite, we speculated it might have something to do with the View-Master, a toy which many kids these days might not be familiar with. That being said it turns out the speculation was right on the money as it has been announced that the View-Master will be getting a 21st century makeover in the form of a virtual reality headset.
Basically the View-Master will rely on the Google Cardboard concept and will be able to offer up virtual reality content using either Android or iPhone devices via an accompanying specially-designed Mattel app. However for those who miss the View-Master’s classic cartridges, fret not as they will still be sold, so users can choose between virtual reality or go old school.
Mattel expects that the reels they will be selling will be both entertaining and informative, and will feature kids-friendly material that will feature “famous places, landmarks, nature, planets and more in 360 degree photospheres”, so if you’re in the market for a somewhat hi-tech educational toy, we reckon Mattel’s updated View-Master could be the View-Master kids of this generation will get used to.
Mattel is expected to make the View-Master available for purchase this October where it will be priced at $30. They will also be selling the reels at $15 each which is admittedly pricey considering the price of the headset itself, but Mattel believes that it will be worth it as customers have been known to collect them.
Filed in . Read more about Cardboard, Google, Mattel, Virtual Reality (VR) and Wearable Tech.