Samsung's Gear VR May Be Hitting Store Shelves on December 1st

[dgstorm]

The latest intel out out of Samsung-land is that their Gear VR headset may hit retail store shelves as early as December 1st of this year. That would make for an exciting holiday season of VR gaming for Samsung users. As a reminder, the Gear VR headset is designed to work in tandem with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, although Sammy is working on broader platform compatibility for the device.

Here's a quote with some more details,

The manufacturer initially did not reveal any exact information about the release date or the price of its virtual reality accessory, but a recently-leaked internal document purportedly hints that Samsung might be gearing towards a launch on December 1, at least in its home turf at South Korea. Reportedly, the Gear VR might fetch a KRW 200,000 ($187) price tag. Then again, you'd also need to spare some cash for the Galaxy Note 4 if you want to use of Samsung's VR accessory.

Which of our members are planning to pick this up as well as the Galaxy Note 4? Do you think this first solid evolution of the Virtual Reality concept will finally take off into the mainstream, or will it remain a niche product for now?

Source: PhoneArena

 

[Jonny Kansas]

The latest intel out out of Samsung-land is that their Gear VR headset may hit retail store shelves as early as December 1st of this year. That would make for an exciting holiday season of VR gaming for Samsung users. As a reminder, the Gear VR headset is designed to work in tandem with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, although Sammy is working on broader platform compatibility for the device.

Here's a quote with some more details,



Which of our members are planning to pick this up as well as the Galaxy Note 4? Do you think this first solid evolution of the Virtual Reality concept will finally take off into the mainstream, or will it remain a niche product for now?

Source: PhoneArena

Very niche. I'll have to check it out in store before making a decision. Even then, I can't see paying even as much as I do for an Xbox One game, but maybe I'll add it to my Christmas list if it's not outrageously priced.

Getting the phone for sure.

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[FoxKat]

Nice idea but I think that manufacturers, even phone manufacturers would benefit even more if they made their "accessories" compatible with ALL manufacturers' phones. Why limit your potential buyer base to only those who have the phone from you that it's exclusive to? What if I want that device but would NEVER own a Samsung phone - especially after owning one in the past and having been disappointed it its performance or GUI? Just because I may prefer one phone over another doesn't mean I might not LOVE this appliance/accessory. By being exclusive to Samsung means I'll shop elsewhere. I'm SURELY not going to replace my phone AND buy that just to have it. YRMV

 

[Jonny Kansas]

Nice idea but I think that manufacturers, even phone manufacturers would benefit even more if they made their "accessories" compatible with ALL manufacturers' phones. Why limit your potential buyer base to only those who have the phone from you that it's exclusive to? What if I want that device but would NEVER own a Samsung phone - especially after owning one in the past and having been disappointed it its performance or GUI? Just because I may prefer one phone over another doesn't mean I might not LOVE this appliance/accessory. By being exclusive to Samsung means I'll shop elsewhere. I'm SURELY not going to replace my phone AND buy that just to have it. YRMV

I get the feeling this will expand if it does decently.

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[cr6]

As with the first smartwatch releases, I would wait on at least the 2nd generation of this device as well.

tap'n on my S5

 

[Jonny Kansas]

Gotta wonder how much of the compatibility (apps, etc) is baked into the phone's software, downloaded when you first snap the phone into the thing, or stored directly on the device.

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[johnomaz]

If it works for Samsung only (and lets be honest, devs will fix that in no time) its no good. Making it for mobile devices is stupid too. I get the price is low because its only for mobile devices but having added functionality to work with a computer, TV, etc would make it much more appealing to me.

 

[soulpatch]

If it works for Samsung only (and lets be honest, devs will fix that in no time) its no good. Making it for mobile devices is stupid too. I get the price is low because its only for mobile devices but having added functionality to work with a computer, TV, etc would make it much more appealing to me.

The device uses the phone as the screen for the goggles. Not sure how we would fit a TV in there. LOL

Those glasses are coming from Oculus later and will cost significantly more witht he built in screens and such.

 

[Jonny Kansas]

The device uses the phone as the screen for the goggles. Not sure how we would fit a TV in there. LOL

Those glasses are coming from Oculus later and will cost significantly more witht he built in screens and such.

Yup. They save a nice bit of money by not having to work in the display and etc.

 

[FoxKat]

The device uses the phone as the screen for the goggles. Not sure how we would fit a TV in there. LOL

Ahhhh. Now I get it. Totally missed that aspect. I thought they were stand-alone glasses with their own display and somehow used the phone as an interface.

Still, it could have been made more "generic" in the mounting system for the phone, so it could work with other models. Perhaps a "snap-in" mounthing system with "fit-kits" for various manufacturers' phones. Thule and Yakima roof racks are examples of a product that is designed to work with a myriad of configurations. They manufacture one main system and then offer literally multiple dozens of various "fit-kits" for the multitude of vehicles they can be "fitted" to.

Just sayin'....

 

[soulpatch]

I dont doubt that that will come eventually but the SW and design has been made for the Note 4 for the initial run.

For the virtual reality you need to have the lenses set to the screen and for the phone to project the correct items. I am not sure a "fit kit" would work initially for other sizes of phones. The lenses could probably work with other notes and phalblets that are similar size. For smaller phones you would need to either adjust or switch the lenses and recalibrate I woudl assume. That would lead to all kinds of disasters initially. With something like virtual reality the experience can drop off quickly if the lenses are a shade out of position as it ruins the immersion

 

[johnomaz]

Ahhhh. Now I get it. Totally missed that aspect. I thought they were stand-alone glasses with their own display and somehow used the phone as an interface.

Still, it could have been made more "generic" in the mounting system for the phone, so it could work with other models. Perhaps a "snap-in" mounthing system with "fit-kits" for various manufacturers' phones. Thule and Yakima roof racks are examples of a product that is designed to work with a myriad of configurations. They manufacture one main system and then offer literally multiple dozens of various "fit-kits" for the multitude of vehicles they can be "fitted" to.

Just sayin'....

Me too. Well that makes it to me even less useful. Oh well, one more product that will find dust on the shelf. I'll buy one when its on clearance for 75% off.

 

[Jonny Kansas]

I was watching some videos of reactions to google cardboard & decided to spend the $10 to get one. Most people seem quite impressed & I'm hoping it'll give me a better idea of the draw of such a thing.

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[FoxKat]

I dont doubt that that will come eventually but the SW and design has been made for the Note 4 for the initial run.

For the virtual reality you need to have the lenses set to the screen and for the phone to project the correct items. I am not sure a "fit kit" would work initially for other sizes of phones. The lenses could probably work with other notes and phalblets that are similar size. For smaller phones you would need to either adjust or switch the lenses and recalibrate I woudl assume. That would lead to all kinds of disasters initially. With something like virtual reality the experience can drop off quickly if the lenses are a shade out of position as it ruins the immersion

All good points. Still I believe they could engineer a set of optics that were adjustable to address that issue.

 

[Ollie]

I will have the Note 4, but I won't be buying the VR. It will be cool for ten minutes and then get stuck in the closet. Right next to that smart watch if I ever bought one.