Being that I am from Seattle, I was super excited to try out the new Space Needle 360º VR app for Google Cardboard. The app allows you to take a scenic VR tour, from way up high, of Seattle’s historic Space Needle.
Now, if you have acrophobia, (fear of heights) then this is definitely not the app for you. Featuring 3, really high quality videos, produced by the talented guys at PANOGS, you get to take a bird’s eye view tour of Seattle, either by sea plane, top of the needle view, or an amazingly crazy halo walk that makes my palms sweat just thinking about it.
The entire product is a very clever use of VR and packaging, which allows the user to experience first hand what it is like to be up in the Needle. It is really an unforgettable experience and I think the App does a great job recreating the feeling. (Now if only it would let me experience the shrimp and avocado salad they have in the upper restaurant, it would be perfect…)
Overall, I would have to say that this is one of my favorite VR apps at the moment. It is simple, well produced, high quality and get’s directly to the point in terms of what one should expect from a solid, mobile, VR brand experience.
The app is available for free via iTunes or the Google Play store, but if you happen to stop by the Space Needle gift shop, you can pick up your very own, sky blue Space Needle branded Google Cardboard viewer for the total VR experience.
Don’t take my word for it, though. Go download the app for yourself and take a scenic tour of my beautiful home town!
On a side note, if you love Seattle music, you should also check out Mudhoney’s performance last year on top of the Space Needle. It’s awesome.
Sean Earley is the Executive Editor of AR/VR Magazine & co-founder of RobotSpaceship Podcast Network. He is the Director of New Biz Development and Publishing at KEMWEB, a musician, producer & consultant. He loves guitars, VR and coffee.
