Samsung is set to let gearheads explore their alter-egos in cyberspace with its new Gear VR virtual reality device, which will work in conjunction with the company’s new Galaxy Note 4 handset.
Branded as a “a new species of device,” the virtual reality headset will provide 360-degree “immersive entertainment,” said John Pleasants, executive vice president at Samsung during a press conference in New York. Samsung is holding events in New York, Beijing and at the IFA show in Berlin Wednesday to announce the Gear VR device and the Note 4.
The Gear VR plugs into to the Galaxy Note 4, from which it pulls 360-degree images. Users can put on the headset to get a full 3D virtual reality experience from the images.
The Note 4 has a processor capable of rendering 4K video at a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels, which provides the basis for an immersive 3D experience on the headset.
The Note Edge has what Samsung calls an edge screen, which wraps around one of the sides of the device. This part of the screen offers quick access to frequently used apps, alerts and device functionality, including the camera shutter. It can also be used when the case is closed.
Like it did when it launched the Galaxy Tab S tablets earlier this year, Samsung is leaning on a super-high resolution screen to boost interest. The Galaxy Note 4 has a Super AMOLED 5.7″ screen, and the Note Edge has a 5.6″ screen. Both have a 2560×1440 pixel resolution, a feature it shares with the G3 from LG Electronics, which has a 5.5″ screen.
Despite the increased resolution, Samsung promises better battery life.
The new devices share a 16MP rear-facing camera with optical image stabilisation. In addition, a 3.7MP front-facing camera offers a default 90-degree shooting angle and up to 120-degree wide angle. The latter lets selfie addicts take the best group shots with friends, according to Samsung.
The devices are powered by a Snapdragon 805 processor from Qualcomm, which will help set the Galaxy Note 4 apart from the competition because it has so far only been used in Korean versions of the S5 and G3.
The Snapdragon 805 offers better performance across the board compared to Qualcomm’s existing Snapdragon 800 processors, which are used by most current high-end smartphones. The processor also lets Samsung implement LTE-Advanced, a network technology that offers speeds up to 300Mb/s in the version Samsung has integrated. For it to work, mobile operators have to upgrade their networks.
To create the Gear VR headset, Samsung teamed up with Oculus Rift, one of the big names in the virtual reality market. Google is exploring virtual reality with its Project Tango tablet, which has depth-sensing to explore and register 3D objects. Sony also offers a virtual reality headset.
IDG News Service
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