Hasbro revives View-Master with My3D for iPhone and iPod Touch

November 9, 2010 By Molly McHugh

From the maker of the ViewFinder comes the My3D. This twist on a classic brings 3D viewing to the iPhone and iPod Touch, but who exactly is going to buy it?

It’s starting to look like companies are going to ride the 3D wave whether consumers decide to join in or not. Toy company Hasbro is updating its classic ViewFinder to pair with iPhones and iPod touches for 3D gaming and viewing. Apple, Dreamworks, the Discovery Network, Sony, and IMAX are developing content for the new toy, dubbed the My3D.

We’re not quite sold on the product yet. While it’s really cool that one of the simplest childhood toys is making a reappearance, the fact that its’ target demographic appears to be kids and iPhone users is confusing. If it were looking into the pockets of teens and adults who wanted 3D content on their Apple products, then its child-like, binocular modeling seems out of place. It’s even bigger and bulkier than standard 3D glasses, which is the primary issue consumers have with 3D programming. Is there some sort of technology in the binoculars glasses can’t provide, or is it just for the sake of being retro? The binoculars allow an iPhone or iPod touch to slide into it while you hold them and view the 3D content, which means you can’t interact with the screen, only watch it. And to stop, pause, rewind, or do anything, you have to take it off, obviously.

However, the promise of eventually using the technology for gaming seems more promising – except that initial looks at the My3D binoculars eliminates hands free use of any kind. Assuming this is updated for that exact purpose, it could find a niche of Apple gamers. Don’t get too excited though, as its first run seems focused on viewing-only content.

At only $30 for the My3D binoculars and a bevy of free and inexpensive apps to accompany it (from top of the line developers no less), it could possibly be a gamble that pays off. We’ll have to wait until spring 2011 to find out.

Showing 5 comments

Sherry E at 6:08pm 9th November 2010 As a teacher, I find that companies more and more want to shove technology down the throats of children starting while in the womb! A child that enjoys the view finder is not age appropriate for a cellphone. We shouldn't rely so heavily on technology in some areas. Let the kids be kids. Tech. is frustrating and rarely works right. You wanna make a world of difference in a child? Give them an empty box and an old spoon to dig with. Their imagination is endless.
Alec Pollak at 4:19pm 9th November 2010 Am I crazy here or was the Hasbro toy called the "ViewMASTER" not "ViewFINDER"?
1. Molly McHugh at 4:49pm 9th November 2010 You're not crazy - you're right! Thanks for the catch!
jellis at 3:18pm 9th November 2010 Alright, we get it, bloggers aren't easily impressed. Stop rubbing our noses in it!
Unzipt at 2:47pm 9th November 2010 Sadly, I remember the Viewfinder as a toy, not from the 1980s, but from the 1960s. Does anyone sell hemlock these days?