Samsung Gear VR

Samsung Gear VR
Also known as Gear VR
Developer
Manufacturer Samsung
Product family
Type Smartphone virtual reality head-mounted display
Generation 2
Release date November 27, 2015 (2015-11-27)
Introductory price US$99.99
Operating system Android
Display Super AMOLED
Graphics 2560x1440p (1280x1440 per eye) (Φ38, x6.7; 96° field of view)
Input Gyroscope, accelerometer, IMU
Controller input Touchpad and back button.
Camera Phone and/or 360° camera.
Touchpad Yes
Weight 318 grams (without smartphone)
Backward
compatibility
Website Official website

The Samsung Gear VR is a mobile virtual reality headset developed by Samsung Electronics, in collaboration with Oculus, and manufactured by Samsung. The headset was released on 27 November 2015.

When in use, a compatible Samsung Galaxy device (Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6/S6 Edge/S6 Edge+, or Galaxy S7/S7 Edge) acts as the headset's display and processor, while the Gear VR unit itself acts as the controller, which contains the high field of view, as well as a custom inertial measurement unit, or IMU, for rotational tracking, which connects to the smartphone via micro-USB. This IMU is more accurate and well calibrated with lower latency than internal smartphone IMUs, such as those used for Google Cardboard.

The Gear VR headset also includes a touchpad and back button on the side, as well as a proximity sensor to detect when the headset is on.[1] The touchpad and button allow for a standard minimum input capability for users to interact with the virtual environments, whereas Google Cardboard devices only feature a button.

The Gear VR was first announced in September 2014. To allow developers to create content for the Gear VR and to allow VR and technology enthusiasts to get early access to the technology, Samsung had released two innovator editions of the Gear VR before the consumer version.

Operation and Controls

The Samsung Gear VR is designed to work with Samsung’s flagship smartphones. Currently supported are Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge.[2]

The device can be calibrated using the wheel at the top of the headset. A trackpad is located on the right of the device and back button is located just above it. Volume can be adjusted through the volume rockers also found on the right hand side.[3]

History

Although the Samsung Gear VR consumer edition was released in November 2015, Samsung had obtained a patent on a HMD (Head Mounted Display) in January 2005. This was one of the first ideas of using a mobile phone as the display for a HMD. However, mobile phone technology at the time the patent was submitted limited the degree of quality and performance possible. Samsung continued to research VR and HMD internally.

With the release of the Galaxy S4 in 2013, Samsung formed an official team dedicated to developing a virtual reality based device that would work with a smartphone. While this team developed multiple different prototypes, the performance and display (despite the Galaxy S4 having a Full HD display) were not yet up to standards.[4] However, this allowed Samsung to learn several of the key elements which would lead to the successful development of VR technology.

In 2014 Samsung partnered with Oculus (the creators of another well-known virtual reality device, the Oculus Rift) to help with the development. The Samsung Gear VR was unveiled during the Samsung press conference at IFA Berlin on 3 September 2014 (along with a smartphone capable of running it, the Galaxy Note 4).[5]

First Innovator Edition - SM-R320

The first innovator edition of Samsung’s Gear VR was released in December 2014. This version was only compatible with the Galaxy Note 4. This edition was mainly released for developers so they could get an understanding of how the device worked and so they could create content which would be ready for the official release of the consumer version of the device. It also gave the chance for VR/technology enthusiasts to gain early access to the technology.[6] This also allowed the developers and enthusiasts who owned the device provide Samsung with feedback of improvements that could be made for the consumer edition. This edition was sold out at Samsung and AT&T stores the day of release.

Second Innovator Edition - SM-R321

The second innovator edition of Samsung’s Gear VR was released in March 2015. This edition is almost identical to the first apart from a few minor changes. This device supports only the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge. The slightly smaller displays used in these devices, compared to the Note 4, give this version an improved visual quality but smaller field of view. A micro USB port is also added, to provide additional power to the docked device, as well as a small fan inside to prevent the lens fogging.

Consumer Edition - SM-R322

This edition is simply referred to as the Samsung Gear VR. It was released on 20 November 2015. Pre-orders for the device went live on Amazon, Bestbuy and Samsung on 10 November 2015 and the device was sold out on the day of release. This edition has again a few minor changes compared to the previous iterations. First of all this edition supports six Samsung Galaxy devices so far: the S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, Note 5, S7, and S7 edge. It is also 19% lighter than the previous Innovator Edition, it has improved ergonomics and a redesigned touchpad for easier navigation.[7] Samsung gave out a large number of Consumer Editions of the Gear VR with pre-orders of their new Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge phones.[8] As a result, the Gear VR is one of the first VR headsets to be widely adopted and used by consumers in significant numbers. There is also a special black edition of the Gear VR sold exclusively with the S7 Edge Injustice Edition.[9]

Consumer Edition - SM-R323

The SM-R323 model was released alongside the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, and features minor changes, including an improved field of view, increased cushioning, a flat trackpad, and changes to the cover and body of the device to reduce glare. Due to the use of the connector by the Note 7, this model also uses a USB Type-C connector instead of legacy micro USB. The port is also capable of data transfer. Adapters are provided for use with older devices using micro USB connectors.[10][11][12]

On October 11, 2016, in observance of a recall and discontinuation of the smartphone, Oculus VR issued an update which disables use of the Galaxy Note 7 with the Gear VR in the interests of user safety.[13]

Hardware

Some of the major goals Samsung set for this project regarding hardware were: that their headset could support MTP (Motion to Photon) latency less than 20 ms; the optimization of hardware and kernel; and also to create Galaxy Note 4’s QHD display that enables high-resolution rendering in the headset. The volume buttons and back buttons on the headset help to navigate through the gear without taking it off. The lenses field of view is 96° for the first three models[14][15] and 101° for the R323.[16]

Software

Oculus Home

Oculus Home is the main facility to download and use content on the Samsung Gear VR. Oculus Home is also the main line for software distribution on the Gear VR.

Applications

As of 17 February 2016, there are 185 Apps available for the Gear VR on the Oculus Store.

Nick DiCarlo, VP/GM of immersive products and VR at Samsung stated that there is still work to be done but it is progress:

“We think that we've hit the formula, but the idea is that we're able to move VR forward -- 'existence-proof,' to steal a word from John Carmack. VR exists! Thank goodness it finally exists! We think people are gonna really, really like it, but we know that there's a lot of room to continue to make it better and we will do that.”[17]

With the VR headset there is a number of games and applications currently available. Notable games include Herobound: First Steps, Ikarus, Dreadhalls, Esper and Proton Pulse.

Other uses of the Gear VR currently include viewing of 360° images, from the 360° view by Getty Images app. This allowed the viewing of spherical content from Getty’s archives and features stills from the World Cup and Cannes Film Festival amongst many more.

Netflix have also released a service to stream and view TV shows and films through the Gear VR, which presents the user a large lounge space with a large screen to view the desired media on.[18]

A number of training and simulation applications are possible in future. However, some unwanted symptoms have been caused by prolonged use of virtual reality headsets. These issues are being studied and may need to be resolved to ensure optimal training and simulation is feasible with such headsets.[19]

Mount Mara

The Samsung Gear VR is used in Mount Mara, a rollercoaster in the Belgian amusement park Bobbejaanland as of 2016. During the ride passengers have to wear such device. The scene of the ride is an erupting volcano.[20]

Galactica

In 2016, Alton Towers refurbished Air, their flying roller coaster, to be Galactica as the world's first roller coaster with dedicated virtual reality using the Samsung Gear VR headsets. The scene of the ride is a journey into space, however wearing the headset is optional.[21]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Samsung Gear VR - Specs". samsung.com. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
  2. ↑ "Samsung Gear VR consumer edition goes on sale in the US". TrustedReviews. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  3. ↑ "What are the buttons on my Samsung Gear VR Innovator's Edition, and what do they do?". Samsung Electronics America. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  4. ↑ "Samsung Gear VR consumer edition goes on sale in the US". Trusted Reviews - The Latest Technology News and Reviews. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  5. ↑ "IFA 2014: Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge, Gear VR and Gear S hands-on". GSMArena.com. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  6. ↑ "Introducing the Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition". www.oculus.com. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  7. ↑ "Samsung Gear VR now available for pre-orders at $99". www.oculus.com. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  8. ↑ "Samsung Galaxy S7 pre-orders come with free Gear VR headset [Updated]". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  9. ↑ "[Interview] What Went into Designing the Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition?". news.samsung.com. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
  10. ↑ "Leak: Samsung's new Gear VR has wider field of view, works with Note 7".
  11. ↑ "New Gear VR redesign doesn't fix what wasn't already broken last year". Ars Technica. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  12. ↑ O'Kane, Sean (2016-08-02). "Samsung gives the Gear VR a facelift". The Verge. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  13. ↑ "Oculus disables Gear VR on Galaxy Note 7 over safety fears". The Verge. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  14. ↑ "Gear VR: How Samsung makes Virtual Reality a Reality". Samsung Electronics Official Blog: Samsung Tomorrow. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  15. ↑ "Samsung Gear VR review". Engadget UK. Retrieved 2015-12-10.
  16. ↑ "Samsung Gear VR review". Cnet. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
  17. ↑ "Looking into the future: Samsung Gear VR review". Engadget. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  18. ↑ "Best Samsung Gear VR apps: The games, demos and experiences to download first". Wareable. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  19. ↑ Lawson, B. D. (2014). Motion sickness symptomatology and origins. Handbook of Virtual Environments: Design, Implementation, and Applications, 531-599.
  20. ↑ Huysmans, Paul (25 February 2016). "Mount Mara is nieuwste attractie van Bobbejaanland" [Mount Mara is most recent attraction in Bobbejaanland] (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  21. ↑ White, Jeremy (18 March 2016). "Galactica at Alton Towers: What it's like to ride a VR rollercoaster (Wired UK)". Wired UK. Retrieved 30 April 2016.

External links

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