Samsung and Oculus have joined hands to create a 3DOF “Gear VR” virtual reality headset. It features 96 degree FOV and it uses the 14.48-cm (5.7-inch) Galaxy Note 4 as its computer as well as display. The strategy which has been used in this case is that to leverage existing smartphones and tablets as the brains of the outfit.
Samsung and Oculus have also worked together in the same way for this mobile virtual reality headset, known as the Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition. The headset is equipped with optics and firmware from Oculus and it requires the Note 4 phablet as its display as well as audio. Samsung Gear VR initial Innovator Edition will start shipping later this year as a beta product.
The Gear VR is the result of a year-long collaboration between Samsung and Facebook-owned Oculus. Oculus Rift is also being developed by Oculus. The current, second-generation Oculus VR DK2 developer version of the Rift is already a bring-your-own-computer device. Prices for the Gear VR have not been announced yet. Gear VR is not compatible with Note 4’s sibling, Galaxy Note Edge, though.
Gear VR has several variations of Oculus Tracker and the firmware used. The 198 x 116 x 90mm device has an accelerometer and gyrometer which helps in tracking head movement. It also provides a 96-degree field of view and has a 60Hz refresh rate. Other features include distance coverage of 55 to 71mm and magnetic and proximity sensors. But the Gear VR offers no depth tracking too. You just need to plug the Note 4 into a micro-USB on the Gear VR and then focus on the view with the dial. The Gear VR runs applications developed with the Oculus Mobile SDK and it will ship with a 16GB microSD card loaded with 360-degree videos and 3D movie trailers.
