The new headset is created to work with all 2015 model Samsung mobile phones.
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For those who have been waiting to put hands on the new Gear VR headset, the innovators edition was the only option until today, when the consumer version of Oculus’ collaboration with Samsung is finally available for purchase.
So, no, it doesn’t cost $US100 for Samsung’s virtual reality solution.
That said, Gear VR does offer a lot of different features for one of the earliest mainstream VR headsets. Meanwhile, Google has released Cardboard, a simple box that can turn just about any smartphone into a VR viewer.
The device is arriving in the USA today for those that pre-ordered it from Best Buy, Amazon and Samsung itself. In order to use the Gear VR, users will have to have a Note 6 phone or one of variants of its line of Galaxy S6 devices.
Of course, the main course of the Oculus banquet is the Rift headset, which so far only has a vague release date of Q1 2016, and a rough price of at least $350, but will include an Xbox One controller with every headset.
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The virtual reality software on the phones divides their screens in two, delivering unique images to each of the eyepieces in the Gear VR. It also boasts an improved touchpad for greater control over movies, games, and 360-degree video. The new systems are being touted as the ultimate in game playing or movie watching devices, activities that can often last for hours. I admit to being more than a touch sceptical on learning past year that mobile phone giant Samsung were collaborating with Oculus to bring a fully-fledged virtual reality to the mass market, powered by mobile technology.
