16 of the coolest apps for Cardboard, Google's DIY virtual reality headset

Kimberly White/Getty Images for The New York Times

Guests try out Google Cardboard at the NYT Mag Live Design and Technology Event on June 7, 2015 in San Francisco, California.

Google Cardboard is one of the search giant's coolest projects in a long time.

Sure, it's not as immediately useful as Google Maps, and you won't find yourself checking it as often as Search - but it's virtual reality! Using your smartphone!

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With just a piece of cardboard and a compatible smartphone, anyone can dive into an array of virtual worlds. From exploring Street View like never before to taking three-dimensional photographs, from immersive VR journalism to exploring our solar system - here are 16 of the coolest apps available for Google Cardboard today.

Note: Cardboard is compatible with iOS, but the majority of apps out there are for Android, so that's what we've focused on. And if you don't have a Cardboard viewer yet, you can pick one up cheaply here »