ZEISS announced support of the open-source Google Viewer Profile (GVP) for its award-winning ZEISS VR ONE virtual reality (VR) headset

Google Cardboard Compatibility Benefits ZEISS VR ONE Users and Developers

OBERKOCHEN, Germany, 18-9-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — ZEISS a global leader in optics announced today support of the open-source Google Viewer Profile (GVP) for its award-winning ZEISS VR ONE virtual reality (VR) headset. The ZEISS VR ONE, shipping worldwide since late 2014, is an affordable, upgradeable, wireless smartphone VR headset with a unique tray system, allowing it to be used with a wide variety of popular Android and iOS smartphones from 4.7″ to 5.2″ in size.

Not only is the ZEISS VR ONE an open system in terms of hardware compatibility, it’s also open for VR content. Owners can download Android or iOS VR apps from Google Play and the Apple App store that are created and optimized for the ZEISS VR ONE by developers who use by the ZEISS software developer’s kit (SDK). In addition, ZEISS VR ONE owners can also download and use hundreds of popular Android and iOS VR apps developed for Google Cardboard from the Google Play and Apple App stores.

As a result of collaboration between Google and ZEISS, ZEISS VR ONE owners can now easily use any and all apps developed for Google Cardboard, to play them as if they are optimized for the ZEISS VR ONE. This is accomplished simply by users scanning a special new ZEISS VR ONE, Google Viewer Profile (GVP) QR code to their smartphone. When scanned, this code automatically optimizes the Google Cardboard apps’ image and head-tracking for the ZEISS VR ONE. The ZEISS VR ONE, GVP QR code is available for free download from ZEISS at zeissvrone.tumblr.com and is included with all new ZEISS VR ONE units purchased.

Besides optimizing Google Cardboard apps for the ZEISS VR ONE, this GVP QR code simplifies work for app developers. Developers can now create apps with the widely used Google Cardboard SDK to include pre-distortion, head tracking and support for multiple headsets including Google Cardboard and the
ZEISS VR ONE without needing to produce separate apps for different headsets.

“We created the ZEISS VR ONE with a goal of Virtual Reality For Everyone by creating a high-quality, affordable, open source system” explains ZEISS VR ONE Product Manager Franz Troppenhagen. “Adding Google Profile Support insures optimized compatibility with the largest, fastest growing VR app eco-system that will continue to grow by making it easy for developers to create apps for the largest, most diverse base of VR headsets.”

The ZEISS VR ONE is now available online now from ZEISS and selected online retailers at a headset price of USD 120. ZEISS VR ONE smartphone trays are available for USD 9.90 or as a free CAD file for 3D printing from ZEISS online.

For more information on the ZEISS VR ONE, go to: zeissvrone.tumblr.com
“Like” ZEISS VR ONE on Facebook

Google, Google Cardboard and Google Viewer Profile are all trademarks of Google, Inc.

Franz Troppenhagen
ZEISS VR ONE
Carl Zeiss AG
Phone: +49 7364 20-9761
Fax: +49 3641 2847883
franz.troppenhagen@zeiss.com

Andreas Klavehn
ZEISS VR ONE
Phone: +49 7364 20-9761
andreas.klavehn@zeiss.com

About ZEISS
ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the optics and optoelectronics industries. ZEISS develops and distributes lithography optics, measuring technology, microscopes, medical technology, eyeglass lenses, camera and cine lenses, binoculars and planetarium technology. With its solutions, the company constantly advances the world of optics and helps shape technological progress. The company is divided up into the six business groups Industrial Metrology, Microscopy, Medical Technology, Vision Care, Consumer Optics and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology. ZEISS is represented in over 40 countries – with around 30 production sites, over 50 sales and service locations and about 25 research and development facilities.

In fiscal year 2013/14 the company generated revenue approximating 4.3 billion euros with just under 25,000 employees. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. Carl Zeiss AG is the strategic management holding company that manages the ZEISS Group. The company is wholly owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).

Further Information at www.zeiss.com

SOURCE: ZEISS International

###

Simply place a smartphone into a tray and slide it into the ZEISS VR ONE the Virtual Reality headset.