I was anything but surprised when I read a headline stating “Pinć VR Turns Your iPhone Into a Virtual Playground”. After accessories like Google Cardboard and Samsung's Gear VR, it's obvious that using a smartphone to make shift a VR headset is possible. It was only a matter of time until us iPhone users had an opportunity to play the game. The company, called Pinć (pronounced “Pinch”), is a virtual reality startup with a cartoonish looking 3D-printed headset/iPhone 6 case, remarkably similar looking to a pair of swim goggles.

While VR is usually all about exploring that other realm, whether in gaming or entertainment, the next big thing is mobile commerce. Pinć, according to Slash Gear, “wants to let you do everything you would normally do on your smartphone in virtual reality fashion. This means browsing the web, viewing photos, or reading messages in a 3D VR environment”. Sound fun to you?

In the exact same way Samsung's GearVR uses the Galaxy Note 4, Pinc uses your iPhone as the screen. Folded, Pinć mimics a smartphone case, and when unfolded, turns into those silly looking goggles in the pictures. But how do you control elements around you? Two accompanying LED rings easily slip on your index fingers, and using your iPhone 6's camera plus a fisheye lens for widening the field of view, you can work the Pinć interface. This interaction is very similar to the Leap Motion controller, but uses far less battery. It also runs without the use of Bluetooth or any other wireless technology (The Verge).

Are you ever browsing Facebook or Instagram to find a really cool video you wish you could watch without distraction? Pop Pinć onto your iPhone (or pop your iPhone onto Pinć) to watch those beloved cat videos close up. According to The Verge, this function would “leave shoppers feeling like they have a better idea of what they're buying than they could get with an unmagnified screen”. Pinć also comes with a video app, simple paint app, shopping portal, keyboard, photo gallery, and camera to play with.

Currently on Indieogo, Pinć starts at $99, with limited edition versions available for $149. The company hopes the device could be a good portable option for those iOS users interested in VR, as well as something a little more approachable than expensive VR gear on the market right now. The $100,000 in crowdfunding would help develop the product, refine the manufacturing process, and work on fitting the headset and LED rings more comfortably.