Sometimes the smallest change can make a world of difference.
Samsung didn’t make any significant changes to its popular Samsung Gear VR virtual reality headset, but the update it announced Wednesday promises to make it considerably easier to use for one simple reason. It now ships with a controller.
SEE ALSO:Samsung's new tablets are out to destroy the iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4In every edition of the headset, which delivers immersive VR by combining the power of Samsung Galaxy smartphones and a headset co-developed by Oculus, the external controls included a touch-sensitive pad and a pair of physical buttons on the right side of the headset. This led to a lot of reaching up to your temple to back out of games and access some other VR controls. It was annoying and fatiguing.
The new Samsung Gear VR controller works with all Samsung Gear VR headsets.Credit: lili sams/mashableNow, every Gear VR headset will ship with a small, black Bluetooth controller. It replicates the touchpad, home and back buttons. There’s a volume rocker on the face and a trigger on the front, which means that in addition to the controls that are carried over from the side of the Gear VR headset, there are now new, interactive VR possibilities.
We got a little hands-on time with the new controller and the latest Gear VR headset, which can now accommodate the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ smartphones.
Powered by two AA batteries, the Gear VR controller is backward compatible and will work with all 5 million Gear VR headsets already in consumer hands. It fits comfortably in your hand and the touchpad, which is, essentially, a giant button, is responsive. The trigger can be used in VR games to target things and pick up and release virtual objects.
Trigger happy.Credit: lili sams/mashableHaving a controller does mean you’ll have to be a little more careful when using Samsung Gear VR. There is a little strap on the controller to keep it from flying out of your hand. However, as I was trying to grab and throw a virtual object, I accidentally swung my hand into a real person standing nearby. No one was injured.
There are only three degrees of freedom as opposed to the six degrees you’ll find in Oculus Touch controllers (Google Daydream View's controller has 3-degrees). As a result, losing orientation with the controller can happen pretty easily. To reset the view, you just need to hold down the main button for a few seconds.
Overall, though, not having to blindly feel my way around the head-gear-based controller is a significant improvement. I wonder if future VR headsets will ship without that pad and those buttons.
TopicsSamsungVirtual Reality
(责任编辑：綜合)
Two states took big steps this week to get rid of the tampon tax
Here are the top 11 songs of 2016Indians mourn as iconic actress turned politician Jayalalithaa diesYouTube says all those ads you watch are worth itMetallica to seek and destroy your eardrums with new album this fallMetallica to seek and destroy your eardrums with new album this fall
Metallica was never going to keep quiet forever.
。 The band has announced its new album, Hardwired&he
...[详细]Sasha Obama slays as she raps along with Chance the Rapper
LONDON -- Chance the Rapper is no stranger to the White House. In fact, he's been there three times
...[详细]Dakota Access pipeline opponents just scored a huge victory
Opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline erupted in cheers on Sunday after U.S. regulators rejected a
...[详细]UK government is being trolled over a tweet about a bridge
LONDON -- The Foreign Office Twitter account wants us to know that Great Britain will soon be home t
...[详细]
The group behind a growing list of celebrity social media breaches has struck again, this time takin
...[详细]Romantic student's public declaration of love literally goes up in smoke
It may be winter in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, but this guy's love still burns hot for his girl.
...[详细]There's a very good reason to tweet emoji at Google right now
Your friends know what it means when you text them a burger emoji — you're hungry! 🍔 &
...[详细]The Internet Archive to safeguard its collection in Canada because of Trump
While many have threatened to move to Canada in the wake of the election, the Internet Archive is ac
...[详细]Australian football makes history with first LGBT Pride Game
The rainbow flag took over Melbourne's Etihad Stadium Saturday night in a powerful statement of acce
...[详细]YouTube says all those ads you watch are worth it
Music streaming subscriptions are on the rise, but YouTube isn't intimidated. 。The video giant report
...[详细]U.S. government issues warning on McDonald's recalled wearable devices
Hip university sends college acceptance notices on Snapchat