Samsung says its Oculus-powered Gear VR headset will cost $199 (phablet not included)

[StingBull]

 

 

 

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Gear VR headset will cost $199, a Samsung spokesperson at New York Fashion Week told VentureBeat this evening.

 

Now, although the exact release date remains fuzzy, it appears we have a final price: $199 for the Gear VR unit, not counting the cost of the Note 4 smartphone, which is rumored to retail for $799 — or $299 with a contract.

 

So it is $150 cheaper than an Oculus Rift but keep in mind it doesn't come with a phone that is necessary to run it. Granted the Rift doesn't come with a PC either but with the Rift you can use any PC, with this it is not certain if you can even use older Samsung phones let alone other brands.

 

It would be sweet if you can use any phone that fits the dimension necessary and not just Samsung phones but unfortunately Samsung isn't known to do that. And the fact that they mention Note 4 in the article makes me think this VR headset will only work with the Note 4.

 

For me I would never buy it unless Samsung opens up the SDK for it so that anyone can develop for it. If that doesn't happen this thing will just die like the first Samsung smartwatch.

 

 

http://venturebeat.com/2014/09/05/samsung-says-its-oculus-powered-gear-vr-headset-will-cost-199-phablet-not-included/

[SnowGhost1212]

If it's an exclusive thing I'm not going to get it. Also, i think the Rift will be better anyway.

[CatCloud]

And how what am i suppose to use it for? i highly doubt this thing will be of any use for Gaming, and outside of that..idunno...movies?
Honestly i´ll just wait for the rift and play it safe.

[NeatSquidYT]

Well, they already have a Note 2 VR headset. The Oculus Rift.

[LAwLz]

Too pricey if you ask me.

It's basically just a head mount for your phone. It's not like it has some fancy electronics it in. How can a plastic case with some cheapo lenses and a headband cost as much as a Nexus 7?

It should be like 100.

 

100 dollars, and make it compatible with all Oculus Rift software would have been amazing. Now it's just a 200 dollar stand for your Galaxy Note 4 which lets you run some watered down VR apps.

[WiiManic]

The Gear VR is powered by the new Oculus Mobile SDK, and also uses variations of the Oculus Tracker and firmware built into the headset for extremely accurate, ultra low-latency 3DOF tracking. 

 

Don't get me wrong, I think its probably priced a bit too high, but then again this is a developers kit pretty much again, so its not a consumer product yet.

 

But its not as if they are selling plastic for that much. It does have its own trackers, that should help with the experience.

And like with every other product on the market, you aren't just paying for the physical hardware. You are paying for the software, the development etcetc.

It ships with 4 "Experiences" built by Oculus. Cinema/Home/Video/Photo.

Its had the cost of the whole Android SDK being developed at Oculus. That must have taken time to develop, nevermind the fact the latency is equal to the DK2.

 

I personally am realllly excited about this.

Is it something I would use? Not really, but then again I have a good enough PC to push a Rift.

Most don't, so this will be what they use.

Mobile powered VR is going to be very important for VR getting main stream acceptance.

And when its cheaper, and I can stick something on my head to watch a film in a VR cinema on a plane? sweet.

[LAwLz]

But its not as if they are selling plastic for that much. It does have its own trackers, that should help with the experience.

I looked it up and you are correct, it does have its own accelerometer, gyro and compass in it. That makes the price a bit more reasonable, but I still think it's too high.

As much as a Nexus 7? Yeah I don't think so...

[BloodySinner]

Once again...

 

[Trik'Stari]

Will tech company CEO's ever learn that which the employees who create things already know? You can't half ass things and get away with it (console being the exception that proves the rule)? If this is nothing more than a fancy stand for an expensive phone, it's going to sell about as well as the Xbox one in japan.

[Misanthrope]

Hopefully they will not charge for the software so non rich people can just use cloth, a 3d printer or good old fucking duck tape to strap their Note 4s to their faces.

 

But well what am I saying, non rich people buying a Note 4? If they can afford and overpriced Samsung device they can afford their overpriced accessories, I guess this is a non-issue after all.

[TestedMATTIA]

Wow 199 for a piece of plastic where you have to get a compatible phone...

*clap*