Virtual reality is a funny thing. In theory, we like the idea of total immersion in something, whether it's a movie, game or just a couple of photographs. In practice, it's expensive, uncomfortable and you look a bit idiotic. But in the comfort of your own home, it's actually a bit brilliant. The Samsung Gear VR uses your Note 4 or Galaxy S6 to bring virtual reality right to you. No, it's not the most attractive of things that will ever adorn your face – see also the Oculus Rift – but it's fascinating all the same. When you attach your phone to it, you can access the store where you download all the apps you'll need to create your VR environment.
The headset itself is light enough, although once you put the phone in you’ll be very aware it’s there. On one side, there’s a touchpad that allows you to scroll through menus and select things, and a back button to return you to the home menu. There’s also a focus wheel to adjust it to your visual requirements – perfect for glasses-wearers.
The good
When you put the headset on first, it’s a little disorientating. Moving your head up and down will translate into movement in the virtual environment. I spent a good two minutes just having a peer around the various menus, which you can scroll through with the touch pad, and selecting things by looking at them. The novelty hasn’t worn off yet, and every time I open a new app, I get the urge to see what I’ll find if I look up, down and behind me. The answer is usually “not very much”, but it’s a compulsion.
There are plenty of apps that will work with the device, including games and what Samsung has deemed “experiences” – an onstage stint with Paul McCartney, a trip under the sea, a virtual cooking demonstration. There’s apps for photos and video that make use of the VR environment. And it’s only getting started, which is important to note.
Your preferences will dictate standing on the stage with Paul McCartney during Live and Let Die, which is fascinating; look above and you can see the stage lights, look behind and you can see the band performing. Temple Run, on the other hand, made me feel a bit sick. The fast pace of the game didn't really suit the headset controls; this is where the gamepad would come in handy.
The not so good
Although the headset itself isn’t that expensive, you’ll need extras that can bump the price up. Chiefly, the fact that you need either a Note 4 or a Galaxy S6 to use a headset. The phone functions as the screen, which is great if you already own it; not so great if you don’t own the pricey phone already. By its very nature, that means the Gear VR is limited. Buy a new phone and your headset is no longer compatible with it – for now at least.
Some games work far better with the gamepad too, as the touchpad can get a little fiddly in a fast-paced game – see the comments about Temple Run above.
The rest
The Samsung Gear VR is currently a development product, and it’s not available in Ireland until the end of the year. But if you can get your hands on one, it’s a reasonably cheap way to bring virtual reality into your home.
Verdict
HHH A good step in the right direction, the Gear VR is more of an indicator of where this can go, and with products like Microsoft’s
Hololens
and
Glass already showing what else is possible, it’s an interesting take on things for the more budget end of the market.
