Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition to be available in the US starting December 2014


Samsung Gear VR -1

At the Samsung Developer Conference, Samsung today announced that the Gear VR Innovator Edition will be made available in the US starting early December. The product combines the display and sensors of the Galaxy Note 4 with the technical know how provided by Oculus to create an interesting virtual reality experience. 

 “Samsung is excited to launch our first virtual reality experience, Gear VR Innovator Edition. We are looking forward to working with developers and partners on building amazing, accessible Virtual Reality experiences, that help bring the immersion of VR mainstream over the coming months and years,” said Nick DiCarlo, Vice President and General Manager of Immersive Products and Virtual Reality.

 The Gear VR uses the 5.7 inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display on the Note 4 to create a compelling 360 degree viewing experience. The headset itself has a focus adjustment ring, a touch pad and a back button for basic UI navigation. Samsung is aiming the device to be used by innovators in the enterprise ecosystem who would work to create simulations of industrial projects.It is also being targeted at designers and healthcare professionals.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG7SaPO8scU

As the name suggests, the Korean giant is not expecting this to be a mass market product, not at launch anyway. The Oculus Cinema software on your Note 4 will allow you to view your movies in a cinematic virtual environment while the Oculus 360 Videos and Photos will let you view 360 degree videos and panoramas. app The Gear VR will be paired with the Oculus Mobile SDK so that developers can get onboard and start creating compelling experiences like those provided by Marvel, Cirque du Soleil and Dreamworks amongst others. Complete list of included demo applications:

  • As part of the Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron partnership with Samsung, Gear VR users will gain exclusive access to Tony Stark’s Lab inside the all new Avengers Tower.
  • Cirque du Soleil Media presents a 360° live-action 3D VR experience, featuring an act from Zarkana filmed by Felix & Paul Studios.
  • DreamWorks VR from DreamWorks Animation allows Samsung Gear VR users to interact and laugh with DreamWorks characters and content in a whole new way like never before.
  •  Harmonix Music VR takes your music library and transports you to a fully immersive, musically responsive environment, allowing you to relax in a vibrant soundscape and explore visualizations set to your favorite tracks.
  • M-GO Advanced, a new paradigm for digital video VR applications, offers an unmatched interactive search and discovery experience with Samsung Gear VR.
  • Protocol Zero from DENA enables Samsung Gear VR players to infiltrate enemy grounds undetected in blackout conditions with hi-tech optics including night vision, X-ray vision, and thermal vision.
  • Temple Run VR is the latest edition in Imangi’s Temple Run series, challenging Samsung Gear VR players to run as far as they can through a perilous winter wonderland as they escape the clutches of Arctic Demon Monkeys.
  • Vevo offers more than 100,000 HD music videos, live concert events and original programming that can be enjoyed in an immersive, full-screen theater experience on Samsung Gear VR.
  • WemoLab’s theBluVR allows users to immerse themselves in the dream-like majesty of marine life.

 The Gear VR Innovator Edition will ship only in Frost White unlike the multiple colors shown off at IFA 2014 earlier this year. Developers interested in creating content for the hardware can sign up at www.samsung.com/GearVR for further information.


Author: Dhruv Bhutani

Your friendly neighborhood techie. Currently using a Pixel 2 XL. Catch him on Twitter (@DhruvBhutani) / Facebook .