Virtual reality seems to be the new technology on the rise. It may sound expensive and complicated, but virtual reality can be available for anyone who has a smart phone and $20.

Introducing Google Cardboard; it’s a basic type of virtual reality that you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for. For $20, the most basic set of goggles available from Google are made out of cardboard. Once you have the goggles, just download the free app called Google Cardboard. Google Cardboard  is compatible with iPhones and Androids. That is all you need to have a basic virtual reality experience.

When you first experience Google Cardboard, it plays a welcome-video that explores all the opportunities that the program can offer. It shows scenery, museum exhibits, and interactive cartoon worlds. During the video, you literally come face to face with a gorilla. It is so lifelike that I jumped when I saw it.

After the video, you get to a main menu, which is placed in a cartoon landscape setting. If you turn around with the goggles on, you see the landscape that is behind you. It’s like you’ve been placed in an alternate universe.

Like most technologies, Google is continually working to improve its program. There are some additional apps available, like immersive games or just plain scenery. Most are free.

Google Cardboard  is comparable to the Samsung Gear VR, which is compatible with Samsung smartphones only and costs around $100.