Another week, another Star Wars-branded thing. But this one's pretty fun: little foldable Google Cardboard VR viewers with character art, and they don't cost a dime...if you're a Verizon customer in the US, and can find one in a Verizon store.
The price of virtual reality has basically hit free. The New York Times gave away pairs of Google Cardboard virtual-reality accessories for smartphones to its newspaper subscribers, and they've been giveaways at lots of places all year. Verizon's Star Wars promotion is tied to the Star Wars app for Android and iOS, which gets a big VR update today that ties into the launch of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in just a few weeks. Verizon is one of the many sponsors for the new movie.
Two droids, two bad guys.
Scott Stein/CNETThere are four varieties: a Stormtrooper, villain Kylo Ren and two droids, R2-D2 and BB-8. They're cleanly designed and pretty cool-looking. And just like most Google Cardboard viewers, they're made of cardboard.
Go get one at a Verizon store if you can find one: but you do have to be a Verizon customer...so, yeah, there is a catch after all.
Correction, 9.15 a.m. ET: We were told yesterday these would be free for anyone, but they are indeed Verizon customer-only perks.