OFweek Wearable Device Network News MWC 2017 World Mobile Conference held in Barcelona. During the show, Samsung released the latest version of Gear VR. From the appearance point of view, the new version of Gear VR is not much different from the previous generation, and the new 3DOF Bluetooth is added. The handle has attracted the attention of reporters from the world's media. It can be said that because of the addition of this handle, it will bring a brand new immersive VR experience to users.
After several expectations, the author finally got this new Gear VR in the near future. The new Gear VR is equipped with a Bluetooth controller. It adds a lot of new games that adapt to the Bluetooth controller in the Samsung mobile app store. It can be said that with this Bluetooth controller, The author brings a whole new visual experience. Then let the author share the experience of the new Gear VR experience. Here I would like to specifically point out that the new Gear VR and Galaxy S8+ are more suitable.
Appearance articles: packaging design
From the perspective of the new Gear VR packaging, Samsung’s design on the packaging is focused. The appearance of the packaging is black, and the front is also printed with Gear VR and Bluetooth handle. Compared with the simpler white packaging box, The new version of Gear VR has a slightly higher box style.
Attentive users will find that there is a handle on the top of the outer packaging, which is convenient for carrying. This reminds me of the Oculus Rift CV 1, which shows that the cooperation between Samsung and Oculus has become closer.
Because the evaluation product I got this time is not unopened, so I've removed the unpacking session. Let's explain the new Gear VR and the equipped Bluetooth handle.
Head design is excellent
The appearance of the new version of the Gear VR headshot is almost the same as the previous generation. The workmanship still maintains a fine tradition. The new Gear VR compared the previous generation to the piano paint treatment of the front panel. The surface is smooth and sleek. Sense, the panel opening method is to pull the button, the panel will automatically pop up, it is this design, the new Gear VR can be compatible with a lot of Samsung mobile phones, such as the S series, Note series.
The new Gear VR's unique AB file design allows the head to be compatible with mobile phones of different sizes. The A file is the screen size after the Galaxy S7, and the B file is compatible with the previous screen size. At present, only Samsung can be compatible with the designs of many of its handsets, which are solid and stable.
Due to changes in the charging interface of mobile phones, Samsung Gear VR has adopted a replaceable interface design from the previous generation in order to expand compatibility. The new Gear VR comes with two adapters, Type-C and Micro USB, for users to replace at any time.
The new version of Gear VR has a line-of-sight adjustment knob on the top of the fuselage, which can directly adjust the sharpness of the picture. Myopia users can see the screen by adjusting the viewing distance without using glasses, and the interpupillary distance is adopted. Adapt to design.
There is a Type-C interface at the bottom of the fuselage. I would like to remind you that this Type-C interface only provides the Samsung mobile phone with the ability to charge and cannot transmit data.
The right side of the new Gear VR is a conventional button layout, a touchpad, a Home button, a return key, a volume +- button, but due to the intervention of the Bluetooth controller, the display layout of this button appears to have Nothing.
The new Gear VR has a built-in distance and light sensor, which allows the user to extinguish the screen when he is not wearing the head-mounted display to save power.
The new version of Gear VR is a cooperative product between Samsung and Oculus, so it is similar to Oculus in the mask material. The removable design makes it easy for users to replace.
Bluetooth handle brings different experiences
The biggest highlight of the new Gear VR is the newly added Bluetooth handle. The content that matches this handle is also quite a lot. Different from Google Daydream View's handle design, the Bluetooth handle of the new Gear VR is similar to the HTC Vive handle. It can be said to be a smaller version of the Vive handle handle, and the handle is also integrated with a circular touch pad and trigger button.
The touchpad function of the Bluetooth controller is consistent with that of the Gear VR, and with the Bluetooth handle, the user does not need to hold the touchpad by hand at the time of the experience, and is less tired. With it can improve the experience in shooting games.
The Bluetooth handle is powered by two 5th AAA batteries, which can be used with the battery installed. The Bluetooth handle itself is very light, and the main weight is still drawn by two batteries.
The hardware configuration and appearance are all finished. Next, let's take a look at the content. What surprises Samsung has brought to me. Since we have added a new Bluetooth controller, we will certainly have corresponding adaptation content for everyone to experience.
This reviewer uses the latest Samsung Galaxy S8+ with the new Gear VR to evaluate. During the evaluation process, the author found that the new Gear VR and the Samsung Galaxy S8+ are better equipped. Inserting the phone into the display will prompt you to download the corresponding Oculus software. The software can be used after installation.
Due to the adoption of “Scientific Internet†in the country, the Samsung Galaxy S8+ phone is installed with the Oculus China version by default. Since there is no independent Oculus store in the domestic version, all VR experience software needs to be implemented in the “App Store†APP on the mobile phone. Download, there is a dedicated VR content block in the "App Store", users can choose the content of interest to download and install, the installed software and games will display the application icon on the desktop, but click to open will prompt the need to insert Gear VR Can use it.
In particular, in addition to opening a VR application on a mobile phone, you can also insert the phone directly into the new Gear VR and enter the virtual world to select the VR content to be run. Different from the past, the new Gear VR is equipped with a Bluetooth controller, you can use the cursor directly to select the VR content, click the touchpad or press the trigger to complete the selection.
In the virtual world's main interface, the user can see the virtual handle and the cursor. Since the new Gear VR has no spatial positioning, it uses multi-axis motions such as a gyroscope, so the position of the handle is fixed, but this does not affect The handle experience, with the handle, the new Gear VR operation is more convenient, at any time long press the return key can reset the direction.
Since it is a VR head display, it must focus on the content experience. In order to intuitively reflect the unique contents of the new Gear VR, the author has singled out several representative Gear VR APP downloads and experiences.
The new version of Gear VR is installed with the Chinese version of Oculus. Naturally, localized VR applications such as iQiyi VR, Youku VR, and Micro whale VR are naturally also indispensable. At present, there are 114 VR contents provided by Samsung stores, and the number is still expanding.
Samsung VR Browser
Realize the webpage preview in VR, in the VR industry, major manufacturers have come out with their own solutions, Google, Firefox have the corresponding Web VR browser, of course, Samsung VR browser is developed by the user, the user can then VR In the world, you can see a browser interface. You can select the content you want to experience according to the recommendation, or enter your own webpage. Of course, you must use the Bluetooth handle to select letters.
Samsung VR browser supports Flash playback, the author logged in to Youku.com to watch the epic masterpiece "Military Union", but I also found that the left and right sliding Bluetooth handle touchpad can also fast forward and rewind, slide up and down the touchpad to view the next page .
Bait! (fish VR game suitable for children's play)
Bait! Is a casual VR fishing game, click on the bluetooth handle touchpad to throw the rod - waiting for the hook - drawbar. However, the handle is only used for throwing and picking up a key, and it does not add a somatosensory operation.
If the user catches the fish, different species and weight will get different gold coins, and the gold coins can be bought in the store to get better rods and baits, so as to lift more advanced fish, I think this game is suitable for the children Playing can not only recognize more fish species, but also enrich children's after-school cultural life.
Evaluation summary:
At present, Samsung has built a virtual reality ecosystem from hardware to content to distribution platforms. Samsung chose to cooperate with Oculus, which is a powerful combination. The Gear VR and Gear 360 panorama cameras have also established their own VR websites. It can be said that Samsung's strength in the field of virtual reality can not be underestimated. The new version of Bluetooth VR with Gear VR brings you a brand new VR experience. If you are interested, you can buy it to experience it.