The creation of virtual universes has become a real breakthrough for us in the field of digital technology. Special devices have allowed millions of users to plunge into amazing universes filled with bright colors and incredible inhabitants. Many companies have recently released exclusive devices, among which virtual reality glasses stand out. Samsung Gear VR The gadget will allow you to plunge into amazing digital worlds using just your smartphone. The device transmits the image online, and for this we don’t even need to use cables!
The front of the glasses has a special plate that can be removed to reveal the mounts for your smartphone. It quickly and easily detaches from the case, and the presence of reliable fasteners on the helmet allows you to comfortably install your smartphone so that it does not jump out of the grooves even during the most active use.
Next, users must adjust the position of the Samsung virtual reality glasses on their heads so that they do not put pressure during operation.

This point is ensured by the presence of universal soft straps that allow you to customize the design even for people with non-standard sized heads.
The next step is to create your own account in the Samsung service, and only after that you will be able to download what is necessary for the high-quality operation of the device software. Registration guarantees each user the opportunity to fully use all applications available for download, so you will not spend anything by devoting a few minutes to this procedure.
After this, you can safely insert your smartphone into the connector and put Samsung VR on your head - the built-in system will automatically launch the gadget as soon as you bring your eyes the required distance to the internal screens.
Other features of Gear VR include the following:

• you have a personal office in which all offered applications and games are clearly systematized for maximum convenience;
• there is the ability to view video in panoramic format immediately after the first launch;
• We have extensive educational material to help you learn quickly various possibilities. For example, when you launch a surgeon simulator, you can read the manual for a novice doctor at any convenient time;
• It is possible to use exclusive services and functions that are not available to owners of similar devices from other manufacturers.

For ease of use, there is a special wheel on the top of the glasses that allows you to zoom in or out of your smartphone so that your eyes don’t strain or hurt after several hours of use. There is also a special volume control, which guarantees quick sound adjustment without having to remove the helmet from your head.
Overall, Samsung virtual glasses are an excellent modern device for immersion in virtual worlds that fully meets user requirements. Lots of features at a very reasonable price - what could be better?

Price:

5900 rub. Samsung products for Galaxy smartphones Note5, S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+, S7 and S7 Edge. Buy in one click Add to Basket 6900 rub. Latest version from Samsung. Even more perfect! Buy in one click Add to Basket Hit 9500 rub. The world of virtual reality will become completely different with Samsung GearVR glasses. They open up many possibilities for the user. And thanks to the interactive joystick, he will be able to take an active part in what is happening, and not just watch from the sidelines. Buy in one click Add to Basket

Samsung GearVR virtual reality glasses

Samsung GearVR virtual reality glasses were developed in partnership with Oculus. Now their price is not too high and many can afford such a purchase. Thanks to the fully immersive effect produced by Samsung, the client uses a comfortable 360-degree view to watch movies, have fun with their favorite computer applications or games, work on any projects, and more.

The most important detail of such glasses is the structure of the lens through which the user sees the screen of a smartphone or monitor. Now the innovative Innovator Edition model has been presented, which is created specifically to work with Samsung Galaxy S6. You can also choose a device that will work with the Galaxy Note 4 or other devices. When purchasing, select the desired smartphone holder. At almost the same cost, the methods for attaching a smartphone to these models are different.

Specifications Samsung GearVR

Samsung GearVR glasses use plastic lenses, and the elements adjacent to the skin are made from high-quality leather substitute. The device is equipped with a touch panel with a “Back” button, volume and focus controls. Virtual glasses do not have their own battery, so they are connected for charging to devices via a micro-USB connector or connected to the smartphone with which they are used.

Samsung notes that the Gear VR can be used with a headset and must be connected to the jack on the phone. But Samsung smartphones are equipped with excellent speakers that produce loud and surround sound, so there is no need to use headphones.

To directly connect immersive glasses to a mobile gadget, use a cable that connects via the USB port to both devices and place the smartphone in the special holder. The Gear VR has a built-in sensor that indicates the device is ready for use. As soon as the user puts the device on his head for complete immersion into another reality, the Gear VR glasses will turn on and another world will immediately surround the person.

What's special about Gear VR?

When these glasses were first being developed, experts set themselves the goal of making them available for use by people with poor vision. But there are some negative nuances. For example, wearing a virtual helmet over ordinary glasses is inconvenient because there is not enough space inside. Of course, you can move the device to the tip of your nose for the effect of full presence, but this position will not allow you to fully enjoy all the effects of virtual reality. Although, if you use contact lenses instead of glasses, the user will not feel any discomfort at all.

I would like to note that the leather substitute inserts are very pleasant to the touch and soft, and the helmet fits very comfortably on the head. Thanks to the adjustment tools, each person can adjust the position of the glasses on their head to suit themselves. They are designed in such a way that they fit very tightly to the head and no light penetrates into them, which creates the effect of complete immersion in another reality.

The Gear VR helmet from Samsung is highly sensitive to head movements. During pre-sale tests, it responded to any gesture, and there was not a single case where it worked incorrectly. But if it suddenly happens that the glasses do not respond correctly to nods and turns of the head, it is possible to quickly and accurately calibrate them without removing or turning them off. I want to note excellent quality and high image clarity, where even the smallest details are visible. Even with a screen high resolution(1440x2560) in the Samsung Galaxy S6 smartphone, the glasses can show every pixel.

The developers have come up with another useful option. Let's say a user needs to see the screen of a mobile device without removing the virtual helmet from his head. It is enough to activate a special function and everything that is located in front will become available to the eye.

The Samsung GearVR virtual glasses will receive notifications for the client, the same as on regular smartphone about calls, SMS and important events. They will be activated at the moment when in the game the user is hanging in the air and is at rest. This function is implemented so that without leaving the game, the gamer is always aware of important events happening in the real world.

Watching videos and movies on Samsung GearVR

VR glasses are very different from 3D because they have a 360-degree view. With Gear VR, you can be completely immersed in the video stream and rotate within it, rather than just looking around, as when watching 3D stereoscopic video. The total immersion device presents the image in two types of virtual format and successfully combines them. With the help of these glasses, it became possible to watch videos from a smartphone, both downloaded from third-party resources and filmed independently. To do this, you need to move the video file to a special section of your smartphone.

Specially created applications Oculus 360 Videos and Oculus Cinema for watching videos using the Gear VR helmet. One of them is used to watch special format films that can be found on the Internet.

Using the second application in the Samsung GearVR helmet, you can watch regular flat films. However, the picture there resembles a cinema screen and is stretched across almost the entire visibility area. However, when you turn your head, you can see the interior of the cinema itself along the edges, which can be changed if desired. An interesting feature of this application is that here you can choose the place from which to watch the movie. For example, you can watch a movie while sitting on the surface of the Moon. The novelty of the experience is amazing and magnificent, and the surrounding virtual environment instantly reacts to changes in color and brightness on the cinema screen.

With the Oculus Cinema app, you don't have to go to the cinema, but watch a movie wearing glasses, lying on your bed at home and with headphones on your head. The only thing I would like to improve is the screen resolution so that the picture in Gear VR is more believable.

The main Oculus Gear VR application, built for the Gear VR headset, starts from the moment you put the glasses on your head.

Through this program, the user gets access to various content, which includes games, applications, videos, films and concerts in panoramic format.

Users will find free and paid content in the Gear VR menu. An interesting detail is that in open application without connected glasses, the menu has a regular flat design. But, if you connect a virtual helmet to a smartphone, the menu becomes a kind of room in which icons and application names float in the air.

The films “Jurassic World” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron” make the greatest impression on users. They also often watch Cirque du Soleil Curios performances on the Internet. Shown in 360 degree format, the choreography, plasticity, decorations and magnificent atmosphere of the performance are simply enchanting. And even after watching the circus performers’ performance several times, the action does not let go of the viewer’s attention until the very end. It's very exciting to watch music concerts. But, unfortunately, good recording quality is only available in demo versions, and full versions materials are quite difficult to find.

To play using the Samsung GearVR virtual helmet, you need to connect a Bluetooth controller.

There are also negative factors in the Samsung Gear VR model. One of them is the automatic launch of Oculus when putting on a virtual helmet and the impossibility of turning it off. Because of this, the client cannot use similar applications, although their choice is quite large.

However, there are loopholes. Let's say you can simply insert a smartphone into the holder without connecting it to the USB port built into the glasses. Although this is quite feasible, the device will not hold well and may fall out, and the video can only be watched without performing any actions. For example, to stop the video, you need to remove the glasses from your head, take the gadget out of the holder and press pause on the screen. And it seems quite unnatural even compared to the available spherical videos on Youtube.

Labyrinth

When playing a maze using virtual Samsung glasses GearVR, bad problems such as dizziness and nausea may occur. Because of this, their use becomes uncomfortable and even painful. It is even more difficult to use a game with dynamic movement, where the user sees the image as if through the eyes of the main character. And although the player sits still, his brain is moving rapidly due to incoming information, and this can be quite problematic for human perception. After all, in other applications the user looks around while standing still, and such contemplation is much more understandable for the brain. Therefore, the conclusion suggests itself that it is better to watch movies with virtual glasses than to play.

If you have joined the ranks of virtual reality glasses owners , you can count on a full VR immersion with an extensive collection of applications for Android smartphones with high-definition support and a variety of unique features latest technology. This is a universal gadget capable of conveying the most accurate perception of virtual reality at almost the same level that today's full-length gaming headsets are capable of. And .

But while many are waiting for decent AAA computer games and saving money for a sufficiently productive system, the owners Samsung a wide range of virtual reality entertainment is already offered in comparable immersive quality at much lower costs and without any special settings.

Yes, of course, there will not be a reference 3D graphics with cinematic special effects, but that’s not what mobile VR was created for. There is something equally impressive and much more affordable!

Starting from panoramic 360-degree on YouTube, live VR- And in 360-VR format and ending with full-fledged virtual reality games and special applications. There are already so many of them, both paid and free, that it should be designated as a “Must Have” for every owner of virtual reality glasses Samsung Gear VR. To download them you need to go to Oculus Store (instructions). So, let's go.

1. Minecraft: Gear VR Edition

Everything is simple here - it's , and it's in VR format! If you still haven't got a single stick or stone in this cute cubic world, then you've lost a lot. And even more so, it would be strange to miss one of the most popular virtual reality games when you have the opportunity to literally immerse yourself in it.

Advantages:- first-person view;
- full compliance with capabilities mobile application Minecraft: Pocket Edition(and therefore, over time, the original PC version);
- game simulation mode in front of a large TV;
- Minecraft!

Price: 6.5 dollars.

2. Smash Hit VR

Adaptation of a famous mobile game for a virtual reality headset Smash Hit. The amazing destructive atmosphere of the environment is now closer than ever to our imagination. The whole process is based on exploring rooms filled with minimalist geometric shapes, where your task is to destroy window glass, sculptures and other environmental objects.

Advantages:- very simple and exciting arcade game;
- destruction tactics to get extra balls;
- beautiful environment and thrill effect.

Price: for free.

3. Hitman GO: VR Edition

needs no introduction for mobile game lovers. But if you managed to bypass this masterpiece of the portable entertainment industry, then together with a virtual reality headset, this puzzling imitation of a “board game” with figures and tactical gameplay will turn into amazing entertainment for many, many evenings.

Advantages:- perfectly polished graphics;
- impressive VR simulation of a board game;
- a large number of exciting killer tasks with turn-based gameplay.

Price: 8 dollars.

4. Land's End

A virtual reality game that vaguely resembles a “tube” mobile puzzle game Monument Valley, but is built exclusively around the basic principles of virtual reality on mobile devices. All tasks are performed by simply turning the head and directing the gaze. Believe me, there is a lot to see there!

Advantages:- calming views with detailed landscapes;
- the natural terrain hides many secrets;
- very simple controls.

Price: 8 dollars

5. Netflix VR

Recently to Russia Netflix You can watch it not only on TV or computer. A virtual reality headset gives us the opportunity to sit in front of a giant screen, or recreate a cozy atmosphere somewhere on the alpine slopes of Switzerland in a huge cottage... Oh yeah, sorry, there are no 360-degree video wonders there. But there is an incredibly relaxing environment for watching simple 2D films.

Advantages:- various virtual places for privacy and watching movies/TV shows;
- the highest level of mobile graphics with shadows, visual effects and so on;
- extensive collection of video content Netflix(though not everything is in Russian).

Price: paid subscription Netflix.

6. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

In this entertainment application " Keep talking and no one will explode"We are shown randomly generated bombs wrapped in wires and buttons. Our task is to solve puzzles that allow us to defuse an explosive device. It’s better not to carry out mining work in real life, so we put on a virtual reality helmet and... call friends who can help unlock some components through voice chat - they will have instructions on their hands. They shout that you are doing everything wrong, but everything blinks and beeps! The situation is heating up and...

Advantages:- each bomb is generated randomly, the instructions are always new;
- incredible level of immersion in VR in cooperative mode.

Price: 10 $.

7. EVE Gunjack

A very distant attempt to absorb the atmosphere of one of the coolest space shooters Eve Valkyrie, but quite fascinating and interesting given the opportunity to immerse yourself in the shoes of a fighter pilot in the vacuum space of our vast Universe.

Advantages:- a simple arcade shooter with excellent graphics;
- a very deep immersion into the world of the game for mobile VR.

Price: 10 $.

8.Within

A true showcase of the world of 360-degree cinema. There are experimental short films, music videos, and even amazing documentaries. On Within entrusted with the task of popularizing the format among owners of virtual reality helmets.

Advantages:- a lot of high-quality 360-degree VR content;
- Opportunity to participate in music videos.

Price: for free.

9. Proton Pulse

Another very easy to learn VR arcade game with maximum immersion, like a roller coaster. Even at 2K resolution, you'll get the smoothest visuals available in mobile VR. The gameplay is based on destructive passage - the destruction of blocks.

Advantages:- control only by turning the head;
- funny and comical situations to show VR to friends.

Price: 3 dollars.

10. Dreadhalls

A horror story with exploration of an unfamiliar area, opening doors and the terrifying contents of the rooms. Intriguing puzzles and adventures are guaranteed.

Advantages:- Uncertainty behind every new step and unquenchable fear.

Price: 5 dollars.

11. Samsung Milk VR

Samsung has its own VR video portal with 360-degree videos. The benchmark for quality and immersion, hand-picked recordings showcase everything the Gear VR headset is capable of. The application is required to be installed if you plan not only to watch, but also to participate a little in what is happening.

Advantages:- service for publishing reference 360-degree panoramic videos.

Price: for free.

12. The Night Cafe

There are virtual reality games for long hours of wandering, and if there are very simple and unpretentious entertainments like The Night Cafe for some 30 minutes of diving. But they are definitely worth it. A classic painting of the same name by Vincent Van Gogh, in which we become part of a mesmerizing world of bright colors and enjoy the artistic content, including a stunning soundtrack.

Advantages:- the highest degree of artistic design of virtual reality.

Price: for free.

13. Soundscape

Until now, not a single effective tool for composing music has been created for virtual reality. But in Soundscape, the developers managed to create something that is impossible not to enjoy in a creative impulse. By pressing buttons on a special control board, we turn into composers. It is enough to watch the video to understand what the process is.

Advantages:- the most addicting music app.

Price: 3 dollars.

14. Oculus Arcade

Perhaps it all started with these slot machines. The entire gaming industry, which today has reached the point where it imitates these very machines almost in our heads! Classic will never die. Amazing games from the past can now be replayed in a special atmosphere using virtual reality.

Advantages:- Over 20 classic games with or without gamepad support.

Price: for free.

15. Colosse

Finally, we offer you the best demonstration of virtual reality technology on mobile devices. Colosse reproduces landscapes and environments of amazing quality, shows a sweet story with a deep study of the plot and the game universe. This is the first thing you need to show your friends!

Advantages:- the most mesmerizing visual experience for mobile VR.

Price: for free You can upload the data to the cloud Google) - if the installation is unsuccessful, they can be erased.

Samsung Gear VR is the highest quality virtual reality headset designed for smartphones.

This device is very functional, and since a high-precision motion controller has now appeared, you simply need to buy one for your personal helmet samsung smartphone.

Advantages:

• weighs less and has become more comfortable;
• compatible with many smartphones;
• high precision motion controller.

Flaws:

• has become big and costs more than Daydream View;
• The controller battery does not recharge.

Samsung gear vr consumer (2017) has an ergonomic, slightly modified design. A USB-C connector is provided, which allows you to combine a smartphone with the headset. But the main aspect of the device upgrade is the wireless controller.

It is a miniature joystick that includes a touchpad and a trigger. This device allows you to control your smartphone, and with the help of high-precision motion control, you can improve the control quality that was missing in the Gear VR.

Today there are few games that support such controls, but the prospects are huge.

Overall, with a regularly increasing range of VR content and a high-tech controller, the GEAR VR headset is an essential headset for Samsung phones. It is very light, comfortable and compatible even with old phones. Moreover, if you have old model helmet, then you can buy a controller for it.

Helmet cost

The first Samsung Gear VR model (2017) went on sale in April, its cost was $129 (about 7,500 rubles).

For owners of Gear VR of previous models, Samsung will sell a controller for them for $39 (around 2,200 rubles).

Device design

The appearance of the Samsung Gear VR helmet, in contrast to previous versions, has become a little larger, but at the same time it is now lighter. However, compared to sleek and compact virtual reality glasses, the dimensions of the Gear VR are still very large, but this allows the device to be endowed with many functions, unlike Google glasses.

The internal view of the device can be adjusted at any time; For this purpose, a special disk is provided (located on the outside of the body) - this allows you to focus the image more clearly. But Google glasses have a specific focus, and to obtain a clear image you need to perform additional manipulations.

The Samsung Gear VR virtual reality helmet has very good mounting and light protection. New updates to the device have made it breathable. The first modification of the virtual helmet fogged up almost immediately during use; a layer of moisture formed on the lenses, like on a fogged mirror as a result of taking a hot shower in a cold bath. Therefore, this model has additional holes for ventilation, which are located under the eyes.

Compared with previous version helmet, in the Samsung Gear VR consumer version, the pillows in contact with the face are now very comfortable. There is also a reliable controller holder that allows you to attach it to a head strap.

The buttons and connection ports on the Samsung Gear VR 2017 are located the same as on the previous model, but they have changed slightly. To ensure high-quality operation of the controller, the touchpad on the device is equipped with a “Home” key, which allows you to exit to the main screen from all running programs and games.

Samsung offers users a modified joystick for control. So if you've used Gear VR before, you'll likely get used to the changes quickly. But new users of Samsung Gear VR may feel inconvenienced because the new change is a complex control system. A proximity sensor is built into the center of the device. Having received a signal from it, the smartphone activates special program Oculus, after the user places the glasses on their head.

Instead of the standard MicroUSB port located at the bottom of the Gear VR, improved Samsung glasses Gear VR equipped USB-C port, which is a multi-functional port, so very soon there will be various additional accessories that will expand the capabilities of the helmet. In addition, this allows you to connect the device to a computer.

The new device includes a replaceable MicroUSB adapter, which allows you to combine the helmet with the following smartphones:

• Samsung Galaxy Note 5;
• Samsung Galaxy S6;
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge;
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+;
• and almost all new models.

Controller

The controller is the main highlight of the helmet, so you need to consider its capabilities. It looks great with the previous model, as it has a thoughtful design.

It is powered by 2 AAA batteries, it has volume control, a high-quality touch panel, a “Back” and “Home” key, which are located on the side of the device. A trigger is built into the back of the device, which allows you to play games comfortably.

Today there are games that support this controller, so you can have an unforgettable time in the virtual world. At the same time, it allows you to accurately aim, shoot and select objects in the game.

Software

Manufacturers have created a controller that is compatible with many programs and games - this content can now be found in the Oculus store. This software is divided into 3 categories: games, videos and interactive programs. The trigger and touchpad perform only one function in programs and games - “Confirm”, since possible use for other purposes not yet provided.

Considering that the helmet appeared on the market back in 2015, many games and programs have already been created for it.

Samsung Gear VR has gained recognition all over the world, as it has shown good compatibility with Minecraft, Lands End, etc. In addition, if you want to use something new, then appreciate the device’s compatibility with beta versions of games and programs that developers released almost daily.

Compared to Google Daydream, this helmet has a huge library of software in its arsenal, but the quality of the products is often poor. It is worth noting that a five-star rating shows users the most popular programs and applications.

The gyroscope does not solve the problem of the device lagging behind sudden movements of the head, but thanks to it, the hand will rest, because you will not have to constantly hold it near your head to press buttons on the helmet.

But when you use older versions of games that involve head movement, you will notice that the controller will often refuse to work. The compatibility of the software with this motion controller is a certain inconvenience that is not present on Google Daydream View, but it is being resolved as new games are constantly being released on the Oculus platform.

Performance

The performance of the games you play with this headset depends entirely on the capabilities of your smartphone. For example, if you use new smartphone, then any game or program will work quickly.

Due to the fact that the VR helmet is compatible with big amount Samsung smartphones that have appeared in the last 2 years will have different performance. But we can say for sure that the older your phone, the more likely you are to experience problems associated with frame drops and the phone getting too hot, which will result in you needing to stop playing or close applications - this is necessary so that the smartphone cools down.

It is worth noting that the company uses displays with an extension of 2560 x 1440 pixels per flagship models phones since 2015, so they have good pixel density, no matter what feature you use on your smartphone. This allows you to comfortably use the helmet like a TV.

The controller's compatibility with smartphones is very good, the same as AirPod's iPhone, so you can make a request to connect a nearby smartphone with just one touch of movement.

Conclusion

Although these virtual reality glasses are inferior to Google Daydream View in terms of compactness, they offer greater functionality, including focus adjustment, as well as a wide range of compatible smartphones. But you need to know how to connect the device to a phone or PC - instructions for this are included with the helmet.

Equipping the helmet with a motion controller makes purchasing the device very profitable. Although there is still little software that supports the controller, the prospects for fans of VR games are very good, given the fact that many developers today are creating software compatible with the device.

The advisability of purchasing a new helmet will depend on the capabilities of your smartphone, which you have or are planning to purchase. I use this helmet periodically and I want to say that it is comfortable, high quality and performs.

Samsung Gear VR is a virtual reality headset made in collaboration with Oculus. The equipment gives you access to movies, games and other content that we can “step into” to get a full 360-degree view.

Virtual reality with Samsung Gear VR glasses

The glasses themselves are a fairly simple device. The most important design element is the set of lenses through which we see the phone's screen. In our case it was samsung screen Galaxy S6, as tested with Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition for S6. Samsung also offers a version designed for Galaxy Note 4 smartphones. There are differences in the phone's mounting system.

Samsung Gear VR device and connection

The lenses are made of plastic. The parts in contact with the skin are made of soft foam and, in some places, leatherette. The device has a small touchpad, a back button, volume and focus controls. Samsung Gear VR glasses do not have their own battery, so they use a smartphone battery. However, you can connect Charger, there is a micro-USB port for this.

The equipment can also be used with headphones, but they are connected to the jack on the smartphone, although this is not particularly necessary; the sound from the phone's speakers is sufficient for operation.

The smartphone is connected to USB port on glasses and placed in special mounts. The Gear VR has a sensor that detects when the glasses are in use. After putting the equipment on our head, the Oculus Gear VR application automatically launches, and we immediately begin to immerse ourselves in virtual reality.

Features of using Samsung Gear VR glasses

Compatibility with diopter glasses was immediately checked. Users with visual impairments also have the opportunity to use this device. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of space inside the Samsung Gear VR, making it very difficult to fit the device on top of your glasses (if possible), so wearing lenses or moving the device further towards the tip of your nose is preferable, but you're unlikely to get the full viewing experience.

Virtual reality glasses are very comfortable to use. The foam in contact with the skin is soft and pleasant to the touch. Gear VR has a significant range of adjustment, so the device easily adapts to the head. More importantly, the device completely limits the penetration of light from outside, which increases the effect of complete immersion in the virtual world.

Samsung Gear VR perfectly reads head movements; during testing, it never happened that the glasses “understood” the movement incorrectly. If such problems suddenly appear, you can calibrate the device without removing it from your head. Unfortunately, all screen pixels are visible to the naked eye, which affects image quality. Even the QHD resolution (1440x2560 pixels) of the Samsung Galaxy S6 cannot help here.

Samsung has provided a very interesting option - built into the pause menu. If you need time to return to the real world, but it is inconvenient to take off your glasses, then it is possible to get an image from the main camera of your smartphone on the screen. As a result, everything that is in front of us is visible.

Samsung hasn't forgotten about notifications. They appear inside the virtual world in the form of small plates suspended in space. This standard notifications Android, which are preview messages or incoming call. This allows you to immediately decide whether to leave the virtual world or let things wait.

Watching videos using Samsung Gear VR

First, it should be emphasized that 360-degree videos are not like 3D videos. 360 degree video is an immersive experience within which the viewer can look around and rotate. Stereoscopic 3D, in turn, creates a similar spatial experience as when watching 3D movies in a movie theater.

The most important news is that Samsung Gear VR can play both types of video content, as well as combinations of them, such as 3D movies. Moreover, the glasses also allow you to watch the videos you have shot and downloaded. Simply move the files to the appropriate directory in the smartphone’s memory.

Samsung Gear VR has two main video viewing apps - Oculus 360 Videos and Oculus Cinema. The first one is used to watch movies. Initially, several examples are immediately available to us, among which there are both 2D and 3D videos. It's interesting, although the demos provided are short, but they leave an incredible impression. The application also allows you to watch downloaded films, the database of which is already quite extensive on the Internet.

The second Oculus Cinema application is used to watch “flat” films. The application simulates a virtual cinema, the picture occupies almost the entire field of view. By turning your head, you can even see the cinema scenery. An interesting option is to change them to something a little more extravagant. The video can be viewed, for example, on the lunar surface or from the point of view of an ant on a smartphone left in the forest. The experience is amazing because the environment dynamically reacts to changes in color and brightness of the film.

In theory, the Oculus Cinema app replaces the movie theater. We can lie on the bed with Samsung Gear VR + headphones on our heads and go to the movies without leaving home. However, such a system will become truly interesting only when the screen resolution of smartphones improves significantly.

The main app you can use Samsung Gear VR with is Oculus Gear VR. It starts automatically as soon as the glasses are put on your head. This is a kind of store with various materials.

Oculus Gear VR provides access to a variety of content: games, movie apps, concerts recorded in 360 degrees, or movie trailers adapted for virtual reality glasses. Some content is paid, but the vast majority is freely available. When we open the application without glasses on our head, it uses the most common design. But once you connect the Gear VR, it takes the form of a virtual room in which the menu floats in the air.

In terms of the quality of available footage, the most impressive are the movie trailers, especially Jurassic World and Avengers: Age of Ultron. The biggest impression was made by Cirque du Soleil Curios. The choreography, costumes, atmosphere and quality of the sets are of an extremely high level. There is so much going on on stage that even after multiple viewings you still find something new. Another successful example is concert recordings, including those of Paul McCartney.

Unfortunately, not all materials are made at such a high level as illustrated in the demo. Most of them are very simple, and this catches your eye. After a few minutes, the initial delight subsides due to the monotony and lack of any meaning. Gaming content requires a Bluetooth controller.

Additional Samsung Gear VR apps

Unfortunately, there is also a big drawback in compatibility with various applications in VR. As already mentioned, as soon as the Gear VR is on your head, the Oculus Gear VR automatically launches, which does not turn off. We cannot use other VR applications that Google Play now offers a huge variety. An example is the same Google Cardboard.

The problem with Gear VR is that the Oculus VR application starts automatically when the glasses are on your head. You can, of course, take workarounds. The smartphone can be inserted into the mount without the USB connection built into the glasses. This is physically possible, but the phone is placed on a slight slope and, as a rule, is not held very securely in the clasps. This solution works well and allows you to view content, but it has its drawbacks. In this position of the smartphone, we have no way to control the “action” on the screen. If, for example, we want to pause a movie, we must remove the glasses from our heads, take out our smartphone and simply press the pause button.

This is a bit odd because being able to watch spherical content from YouTube is pretty much the accepted standard. It's a shame that Gear VR doesn't allow this.

Samsung Gear VR and the maze

Samsung VR glasses also became a challenge for the maze. Some of this material makes you dizzy and nauseous within just a few seconds of viewing. The worst experiences are dynamic games in which we look at the world through the eyes of the hero. Our eyes see a picture in which we are supposedly moving quickly, although at this time the body is simply on a chair. The brain receives conflicting information and cannot cope with it. We tried for a long time to get used to this effect, but after two weeks we still didn’t succeed.

This unpleasant effect applies exclusively to the labyrinth. In most other materials, we can simply look around while at one point. And viewing such materials does not entail any unpleasant sensations. Thus, Samsung Gear VR performs much better in movies than in games.

Bottom line

This is the big question: is the Samsung Gear VR worth buying? On the one hand, the device provides something new, and virtual reality is something that just needs to be seen. I think this is the future of entertainment. The first contact with the BP gearbox is simply stunning, and I think there is not a single person who will not be impressed by the device.

On the other hand, the equipment is very limited, and too expensive for the capabilities it provides. Samsung Gear VR costs about $250 and requires a Samsung Galaxy S6 smartphone. In addition, not everything is perfect in this generating equipment.

The Oculus VR app contains quite a bit of content, but most of it is for fairly one-time, short-term enjoyment. Thus, after two weeks of fun, you can get acquainted with literally everything that the equipment offers. The salvation, of course, will be your own films, which you can watch in VR.

However, do not forget about Google’s offer, which is an interesting addition in the form of all specialized solutions, including VR. I'm talking about the universal Google Cardboard glasses, which can be purchased for 10 dollars. The equipment is much less developed, but it allows you to watch spherical films.

Overall, if you have a Samsung Galaxy S6 or Note 4 and the $250 price tag for a few hours of entertainment doesn't put you off, the Samsung Gear VR glasses are a great choice.

pros

• An amazing experience, this has never happened before.
• Perfect reading of head movements.
• A large database of games, videos and other materials available in the Oculus Gear VR application.
• The ability to watch videos that you made yourself.
• Convenient control using touchpad.
• Lots of thoughtful touches, such as the ability to look into the real world using a smartphone camera without taking off your glasses.

Minuses

• Individual pixels are visible.
• Inability to exit the main application.
• Lack of its own headphone jack.
• Conflicting feelings from games.
• Only a specific smartphone can be connected.