Galactic Explorer is an educational AR app for the Merge Cube. It was designed to encourage people to learn about our solar system and planets in a very unique and engaging way. The review is based on the Phone mode, as I don’t own the Merge VR headset.
Using Galactic Explorer app and the Merge Cube, users can hold the entire solar system in the palm of their hands and see how the planets revolve around the sun. All that happens in augmented reality through your smartphone or tablet’s display.
The hologram that showcases the solar system is projected on the Merge Cube and moves and rotates as you move and rotate the Merge Cube. This gives the user the feeling like he or she is holding solar system and planets in their hands.
This unique experience allows users to see the colors of each planet’s surface and read some interesting facts about each one by tapping on the planet that you want to learn more about.
Just keep in mind that the size difference doesn’t represent the relatively actual size differences between the stars. For example, the Sun is about 109 times the diameter of Earth, and this is obviously can’t be represented in this type of experience unless you don’t want to see all the other planets.
I was also disappointed not being able to tap on the planet’s moons and get to read some information about them.
The experience is presented with very nice and changing background sounds that enhance the overall visual experience, wrapping it with a feeling of mystery of the unknown.
Indeed, the universe is one big riddle. If you just stop and look up at the night sky, lots of thoughts might go through your mind. It’s a majestic place, so vast and so mysterious. I think that this app is able to transfer, even just a little bit, that sense of mystery and ignites the curiosity of the person who uses the app.
Conclusion
As far as I can see it, Galactic Explorer is mostly aiming for kids. Such an app can be much more fun for kids than just looking at pictures. The actual physical interaction might trigger an excitement that will trigger the kid to want to discover more about the universe. Some of the things that excite us for the rest of our lives start at a young age as we are exposed to different experiences. If I had a child I would definitely give him this app to try out. Who knows, maybe it will encourage him to learn more about the universe and read more about it.
I think that this type of app, although quite limited in its scope, can have a positive influence on children and ignite further interest in the topic. This is one of the reasons that I liked this app. Even as an adult I learn some facts that I didn’t know and felt that deep feeling of wanting to know more about our solar system and the cosmos in general. Still, it’s unfortunate that it’s so limited in terms of its educational content.
Download Galactic Explorer for the Merge Cube free from the App Store here.