Samsung’s Gear VR headset has landed in the Australian market, with Samsung today announcing the local availability of the Gear VR Innovator Edition.Samsung states the Gear VR “delivers a completely new way to experience content using a mobile device”, with the push now well and truly on by manufacturers to bring virtual reality to consumers.
Facebook’s acquisition of Oculus VR last year brought further attention to the virtual reality market, with Microsoft recently unveiling its HoloLens, while Sony’s Project Morpheus remains in development.
LG today revealed it will give away a free virtual reality headset, which works with Google Cardboard, with the purchase of a new LG G3 smartphone.
Samsung has partnered with Oculus for the Gear VR, which requires a Galaxy Note 4 smartphone for operation.
The Note 4 locks into the front of the unit, which employs the smartphone’s 5.7″ Quad HD Super AMOLED display.
“The Samsung Gear VR in Australia is the most exciting piece of technology to enter our mobile device portfolio and represents our relentless focus on delivering products that have the ability to change mobile experiences for our customers,” commented Arno Lenior, Samsung Electronics Australia chief marketing officer.
“The Gear VR will offer Australians the ability to experience content on their Galaxy Note 4 screen using an immersive headset we have developed with the amazing Oculus platform for virtual reality technology.”
The retail availability of the Gear VR in Australia follows the recent announcement that Gear VR headsets will be made available to customers on certain Qantas flights as part of a trial entertainment service launched by Qantas and Samsung.
The Gear VR is available from Samsung Experience stores in Melbourne and Sydney and online from the Samsung e-store, carrying a price tag of $249 RRP.
