I'm really wondering why Samsung would want to rush with this product to the markets, and more specifically why Oculus would want to agree to this. I mean, the Oculus hardware is still under development, the SDK is under development, and consumer software is just getting into grips what it is to develop for the VR platform.
Probably a deal between Oculus and Samsung, as Samsung is their display provider, in order for Samsung to continue providing them displays and other hardware ?
What I've heard (from CCP Games, developer of Eve Online for the Oculus, primary developer for Oculus) Oculus is focusing on making the best possible product, so it doesn't make any sense to publish what is in sense a beefed up DK2 to the public, other than that it was part of their Samsung deal.
I'm excited about VR, but I'm not at all excited about the Gear VR, there is no killer application yet even and it's just meh, pretty cool for maybe watching movies and such 3D -content, but what I hear the battery life is pretty poor too, and it's gonna be pretty obsolete once the consumer version of Oculus Rift comes out ..
This is rooted in a deal between Samsung and Oculus. The DK2's screen is literally Galaxy Note 3 screen. The screen is a critical part of virtual reality, so a good partner already in the space is a major win. At the same time, Samsung wanted to get into this space with a Gear VR like device. Samsung already had some work done on it before showing it to Oculus. I'm not sure who approached who (I think it was Oculus to Samsung about the screen and Samsung replying that they would like help with the Gear VR.) This was also when John Carmack got involved, and has been the chief person responsible for getting the intensive software requirements to work on a mobile device.
As for why now? You gotta start shipping eventually. The current Gear VR is labeled as an "innovator edition", which a way of saying it's a dev kit without actually saying that. I'm guessing the Gear VR system will be attached to the update cycle of the Gear line of phones.
As for Gear VR vs Oculus CV1, the CV1 will be better in almost all aspects. However, you can't say use it to watch a movie on a plane ride.
I have no real insight, but Carmack mentioned in his talk a while back that for VR to win it has to be mobile.
Basically if you have to show people VR in your computer lair nobody is going to use it. Maybe they're banking on getting people interested in it with mobile so when a better 'pro' version comes out from Oculus it'll get more traction?
I thought it was a really interesting talk - he's a great speaker. Can really tell how well he knows what he's talking about, lots of information really clearly described and easy to follow.
I've suspected the same reasoning. Which is probably the optimal strategy they could have taken. Samsung seems to clearly have the best screen tech/market-share combination. By partnering with them they prevent samsung from copying them anyway and potentially not giving them access to the screens, also if Oculus was smart they agreed but with a non-compete or exclusivity clause so that Samsung doesn't provide competitors screens. Also Samsung probably has the most resources besides Apple to actually be modifying/manufacturing customer hardware/software innovations that are requirement for future versions of Oculus.
Re: Gear VR, I think it's very impressive. Definitely better than the DK2. You don't miss positional tracking as much as you'd think when you get wire-free and light/polished product experience. The Crescent Bay demo was definitely better than both, but Gear VR is your best bet right now for experimenting and promoting your experiments. Being able to walk up to people just show them your demo is priceless and powerful. I'd shown maybe 10 people my DK2, I've already shown probably 100. I brought it into work, I brought it meetups, etc.
Caveat: I was due for an upgrade from my iPhone 4S and wanted to tryout Android for a generation, so getting the Galaxy Note 4 was logical so that I could kick in the $200US for a Gear VR. If you already have a great phone, it's a pretty heavy price to pay to get the Galaxy Note 4 and Gear VR. I'd recommend waiting if you aren't feeling loaded at the moment or are not a developer.
This is supposed to be a developer kit, like the DK2. The website makes that pretty clear [0]. That said, it's definitely being marketed to consumers more actively than Oculus' own dev kits.
- you've never tried it, yet you think it's "just meh"
- yes, this hardware is going to be obsolete in 1 year, like any hardware in any industry 1 year from now
- GearVR is much like DK1 & DK2 in that they are intended for developers, hackers, early adopters & enthusiasts. Hence the name "GearVR Innovator Edition"
So no, Samsung, is NOT rushing this product into markets, but rather testing products & markets.
As a developer, I'm glad to have an excellent mobile VR device (GearVR) to build & test mobile VR apps. How can you expect killer apps without a good hardware for developers. Hence, GearVR's utility.
I have tried the Gear VR, and own both the DK1 and DK2.
But yeah it's a good point, they are testing the markets and providing HW for developer, I can see that I did not know it is called the Innovator Edition, I've missed that name as it's not available here in Finland yet.
"there is no killer application yet even and it's just meh,"
You obviously have no idea what you are talking about. I got it last week and its the most mind bending experience I've had with technology. Its just a whole different thing.
It definitely does not feel rushed to market as you claim. The reactions from my friends (who are not into tech btw) when I tried it with them was priceless - I will never forget it.
Cell phone sales are plateauing. Samsung is making big investments in new growth markets like connected home and wearables. The gearvr is one of many examples of their diversification strategy.
Samsung is kind of the king of rushing half baked ideas to market in an effort to beat everyone else to the "Next Big Thing" to the point where it's actually their slogan.
Probably a deal between Oculus and Samsung, as Samsung is their display provider, in order for Samsung to continue providing them displays and other hardware ?
What I've heard (from CCP Games, developer of Eve Online for the Oculus, primary developer for Oculus) Oculus is focusing on making the best possible product, so it doesn't make any sense to publish what is in sense a beefed up DK2 to the public, other than that it was part of their Samsung deal.
I'm excited about VR, but I'm not at all excited about the Gear VR, there is no killer application yet even and it's just meh, pretty cool for maybe watching movies and such 3D -content, but what I hear the battery life is pretty poor too, and it's gonna be pretty obsolete once the consumer version of Oculus Rift comes out ..
Anybody have any more insight into this ?