Over 1 million people used the Samsung Gear VR (which Oculus powers) in April 2016, which could be a significant milestone for the VR business.
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According to a report on TechCrunch, the panoramas clicked by users on their phone will get a far better viewing experience on Facebook’s news, and also on Samsung’s Gear VR, which is powered by the Oculus Rift.
A “What’s New” section and a revamped library in the Oculus mobile app will arrive this week, helping users to find and discover new games and experiences.
You’ll start seeing the new 360 images in the next few weeks, Facebook says. On top of the cost of the compatible smartphone, you have to part with an extra $100 to get the Gear VR headset. Since smartphones can display 360-degree photos, it makes more sense that VR headsets are reserved for moving content.
“With more intuitive content navigation, new ways to explore your photo memories, and exciting new content being developed every day, the VR ecosystem has never been more promising!” In November 2015, Samsung launched the Gear VR headset, which is considered to be cheaper than Oculus Rift. A new series of VR videos, called Nomads, is launching today on the platform, and another’s coming next week from the team behind Deadliest Catch. Thus, these 360 – degree photos will be viewable through the Oculus 360 Photos App, according to Tech Times.
While the Oculus Rift might command more attention, it’s mobile VR headsets like the Gear VR which will bring virtual reality to a mainstream audience.
(Samsung)Samsung Gear VR, the first VR to hit the market has reportedly reached 1 million users.
The 360-degree video feature has been available on Facebook since September, but it will take time for users and creators to embrace the new format en masse. The places are the Mongolia, guided by a group of yak herders, the Maasai tribe in Kenya, and the Malay Archipelago with Borneo’s Bajau tribe.
Oculus is hoping that breaching the one million user mark will help persuade developers to create more content for the still fledgling platform.
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“With the addition of affordable hardware we are going to see an explosion in content”, Daniel Colaianni, co-founder of VR Bound, a virtual reality product price comparison site start-up.
