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Linuxluver

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#185871 8-Dec-2015 15:45
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I picked up my Samsung Gear VR headset from PB Tech today ($199 incl GST) 

I'd not used a VR headset before.....so to me this was f-amazing. The screen resolution is a bit pixelated, but the virtual reality functionality - standing in and moving around virtual environments in 3D via my....phone (for $199) - blew me away. 

I thought of putting this in the digital imaging forum, but at this point it is primarily an Android / Samsung thing.

Anyone else have one or thinking about it?

Compatability info  (and all other stuff) is here.

Update: The VR software is from Oculus. You're prompted to install it when you plug your (Samsung SGS6 / SGS6 Edge / SGS6+ / SGS6+ Edge / Note 5) phone into the Gear VR.....which means you then have to take the phone out of the Gear VR and follow the prompts that are on the screen of the phone because you plugged it in. :-)




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dylanp
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  #1442890 8-Dec-2015 15:51
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A few of us here have them. I've been very impressed. Check out Temple Run https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-OWfHV-vqM



networkn
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  #1442892 8-Dec-2015 15:53
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I've ordered mine, I got it for $99 USD on Black Friday. Hasn't shipped yet.

Linuxluver

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  #1442894 8-Dec-2015 15:57
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networkn: I've ordered mine, I got it for $99 USD on Black Friday. Hasn't shipped yet.


I'm thinking it's the best $199 I've ever spent on my phone. By far. Turns it into something else completely. 

I'll be gushing for a while. :-)  




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networkn
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  #1442896 8-Dec-2015 16:02
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Linuxluver:
networkn: I've ordered mine, I got it for $99 USD on Black Friday. Hasn't shipped yet.


I'm thinking it's the best $199 I've ever spent on my phone. By far. Turns it into something else completely. 

I'll be gushing for a while. :-)  


That's a big call (Though not sure how many $200 phone upgrades you have purchased).

I bought mine because I was talking to someone who was involved in it's development. He said if you think it's good now, 2016 will BLOW your mind. 


Linuxluver

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  #1442899 8-Dec-2015 16:07
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networkn:
Linuxluver:
networkn: I've ordered mine, I got it for $99 USD on Black Friday. Hasn't shipped yet.


I'm thinking it's the best $199 I've ever spent on my phone. By far. Turns it into something else completely. 

I'll be gushing for a while. :-)  


That's a big call (Though not sure how many $200 phone upgrades you have purchased).

I bought mine because I was talking to someone who was involved in it's development. He said if you think it's good now, 2016 will BLOW your mind. 



Looking forward to it!! :-)  

The phone screen could use a higher resolution....and I'm sure the newest phones next year may well do exactly that. But today....this is pretty good for a VR newby like me.




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networkn
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  #1442902 8-Dec-2015 16:09
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My phone has a 2560x1440 resolution. Not sure how much higher you'd want?
Processing power of the phone will be the limiting factor I'd expect. 


dylanp
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  #1442926 8-Dec-2015 16:41
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networkn: My phone has a 2560x1440 resolution. Not sure how much higher you'd want?
Processing power of the phone will be the limiting factor I'd expect. 



The phone has huge resolution, but I think only so much of the display is used because of how close it is to your eyes. I think it could make more sense to have two concave displays. Will be interesting to see how it develops over time.


I'm interested in getting a bluetooth gamepad to use with it. Let me know if you have any recommendations.

 
 
 

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Linuxluver

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  #1442952 8-Dec-2015 16:57
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networkn: My phone has a 2560x1440 resolution. Not sure how much higher you'd want?
Processing power of the phone will be the limiting factor I'd expect. 



Maybe it's the content then. "Good enough"™ but not crystal clear.




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Linuxluver

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  #1442954 8-Dec-2015 16:58
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VodafoneDylan:
networkn: My phone has a 2560x1440 resolution. Not sure how much higher you'd want?
Processing power of the phone will be the limiting factor I'd expect. 



The phone has huge resolution, but I think only so much of the display is used because of how close it is to your eyes. I think it could make more sense to have two concave displays. Will be interesting to see how it develops over time.


I'm interested in getting a bluetooth gamepad to use with it. Let me know if you have any recommendations.


I'd start with the Samsung gamepad for use with the VR / phone.  




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DaveB
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  #1443266 9-Dec-2015 07:28
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*SIGH* Still waiting to get one for my Note 4 hahaha. I felt quite let down when the Note 4 was released here in NZ only to be informed by Samsung six months after release that they will not be bringing the VR into NZ for that model. Great phone though!

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  #1444371 9-Dec-2015 11:00
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Well I got an email from Amazon today who have said my item will ship on the 11th which means, all going well, a new toy under the xmas tree.

Normally I don't bother with sticking stuff under the tree if it delays my gratification, but I might let my kids give it to me :) 


dylanp
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  #1444384 9-Dec-2015 11:08
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The warnings in the user guide are pretty intense. E.g. not using for extended period then driving etc!

networkn
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  #1444386 9-Dec-2015 11:14
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VodafoneDylan: The warnings in the user guide are pretty intense. E.g. not using for extended period then driving etc!


Hmm actually that makes sense. 


HotDogBreath
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  #1444428 9-Dec-2015 12:00
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Got mine delivered on Friday and couldn't get it to work (Note 5). After a bit of blood sweet and tears, it turned out that the phone required a software update.

User experience: In a nut shell.... fantastic!!
This is the way of the future and finally reachable. $199 + handset is a very reasonable price point to dip ones finger into VR. It doesn't have the kick of the rift (so I'm told) but hey... it's still great stuff.

Every one who has tried it (with the exception of my misses! lol) has been very impressed. Jaws drop on the ground and I have the video footage to prove it. While the software database isn't mind blowing, there still is enough on there to keep you impressed for some time. Also quite a bit of free stuff. Netflix never looked so good.

If you have the phone. Get the Gear VR. 8 out of 10 from this VR novice :-)

BigMal
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  #1444459 9-Dec-2015 12:49
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I'm a VR addict.  Although I don't have Gear VR I have tried it several times down at Noel Leeming.

It's very cool, almost on par with Oculus DK2.  I can't wait for 4k phones and the hard wired VR solutions next year.

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