Mattel updates iconic View-Master with virtual reality

The View-Master of the past with tiny film photographs on reels is no more.

Techcrunch reported that Mattel unveiled the View-Master Viewer DLX Saturday at the New York Toy Fair.

Mattel's View-Master has integrated education with technology since it launched in 1939.

The iconic toy got a major image revamp in 2015 as a virtual reality headset for the first time since its launch.

The 2015 View-Master model had smartphone integration, but it used the phone's speakers, which meant that the sound would be muffled.

The View-Master Viewer DLX has a headphone connector and a focal adjustment to make the virtual reality experience more realistic and the visuals better.

The 2015 View-Master is $30, but the DLX will reportedly cost $40. It will be available this fall.

The DLX uses the classic photo discs as place markers to integrate virtual reality components.

For example, a solar system experience pack has integration with the View-Master app so that when users look at reels through the View-Master, space shuttles and planets appear.

Watch the video below to see how the new View-Master looks. This is from the 2015 version, but the visuals can be expected to be improved with the DLX.