• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster

2

Meet a 71-year-old who retired as a radiologist and professor, and now runs a banana-skewer business: ‘I never want to retire. Why would you do that?’

3

Hilton received 12,000 Gen Z applications for just 72 internship spots—its CHRO says AI has made the hospitality gigs more competitive

1

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster

2

Meet a 71-year-old who retired as a radiologist and professor, and now runs a banana-skewer business: ‘I never want to retire. Why would you do that?’

3

Hilton received 12,000 Gen Z applications for just 72 internship spots—its CHRO says AI has made the hospitality gigs more competitive
TechInternet of Things

A Rock Legend Is Taking on Google in Virtual Reality

By
David Meyer
David Meyer
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
David Meyer
David Meyer
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 25, 2016, 11:57 AM ET
Brian May's London Stereoscopic Company's Owl VR Smart Phone Kit
Brian May's London Stereoscopic Company's Owl VR Smart Phone KitLondon Stereoscopic Company
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The virtual reality space is really heating up now—even rock gods are getting in on the act.

Since 2008, Brian May, the tousle-haired guitar-slinger from Queen, has been a director of the London Stereoscopic Company, which in its original incarnation served a stereoscopic, picture-card fad a whole century-and-a-half back.

Now, in his quest to “recreate the magic” of the original firm, May has launched a smartphone-friendly version of his patented Owl Stereo Viewer. For those unfamiliar with his music career, May is firmly on the cerebral end of the rock star scale while also holding a doctorate in astrophysics.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

Rather like Google’s (GOOG) Cardboard virtual reality viewer, the Owl VR Smart Phone Kit holds a smartphone (any smartphone) a certain distance in front of the user’s eyes for viewing through special lenses. It also features adjustable focus, giving what the company claims is “the ideal optical geometry for perfect viewing of side-by-side 3D images.”

It doesn’t look quite as immersive as Cardboard as it doesn’t shut out surrounding light, but the London Stereoscopic Company does note that it provides constant, unobstructed access to the controls on the phone as well as the headphone socket.

When it goes on sale in mid-June, it will cost £25 ($37)—£10 more than Cardboard. But then again, it’s made out of sturdier “high-grade polypropylene” and has the benefit of being quickly collapsible. Also, Brian May’s selling it.

For more on virtual reality, watch our video.

“Until now, users have had the choice of an expensive VR viewer that puts it out of reach of many people or a very low cost alternative that just doesn’t do the format justice,” said May in a release. “The Owl Smart Phone Kit changes all that; for a very modest outlay, anyone can now enjoy the VR experience, and also gain access to the fascinating world of Stereoscopy.”

About the Author
By David Meyer
LinkedIn icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in Tech


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.