Today, virtual reality devices have finally come into our lives. There is no higher price and so-called "developer restrictions" anymore, because Samsung's Gear VR has been officially launched. From then on, we can get rid of the shackles of cables and experience the virtual reality game that is closest to our lives.
But to be honest, The question of whether Gear VR is worth buying is really not worth discussing. The price of Gear VR itself is $200. To make it work, users need to put a Galaxy Note 4 worth $700 in it. For a thing that can only be used as a toy at present, the price is already very high, and those who like playing VR and are not poor in money will not watch the evaluation before buying it.
Samsung has given Gear VR the title of "innovator version". From this point, it is not difficult to see that Samsung's positioning for Gear VR is still more inclined to show off technology, and its practicability is relatively general. In addition to a few games, there are only a dozen "experience" applications left in the app store. As for those games, they are only trial versions at present. So Gear VR is like a hot-air balloon used to explore the atmosphere, providing Samsung, an electronic giant, with a glimpse of the prospects of virtual reality development.
Nick Dicarlo， The relevant project leader of Samsung Gear VR explains Gear VR as follows:
Our criterion for judging the success of this device is simple: how many people have bought it, and then how many of them have chosen to return it. If someone buys a Gear VR, and then tells his friends how cool the device is, our goal is achieved. If everyone who buys it finally applies for a return and complains, "This product is not easy to use, I don't like it, and this product is very bad", then we will know that our product still has a lot to improve, and then improve it, And we believe that people will eventually accept VR products.
Back to the product itself, if you want to use Gear VR, you must first have a Galaxy Note 4. Secondly, your Note 4 must be updated to the latest firmware. Thirdly, you need to insert the 16GB memory card attached to Gear VR into your Note 4. Gear VR does not have a battery and needs to be powered by the battery of Note 4. Gear VR does not have a screen, so what users see is actually the screen of Note 4.
In fact, the "installation" step is very simple. Simply place Note 4 in the Gear VR. There is a special connection socket for Note 4 in the Gear VR. The elastic socket on the right will firmly fix Note 4 in the Gear VR. Although the overall workmanship is not perfect, it is much better than all other similar things on the market at present.
After the connection is completed, the built-in speaker of the phone will ring to remind the user that the connection is successful. Then the user needs to adjust the headband, and the phone will prompt the user to remove the phone again, and then install and set it on the phone. Fortunately, the whole process is simple and fast: first, download the basic software from Oculus Home to Gear VR Video. After this step, The setting is basically completed. Reload the phone, and then put the Gear VR on the head. The built-in sensor will detect that the user has put on the Gear VR and automatically open the main menu of the Gear VR, and then the user can enter the virtual reality world.
The specific operation method is as follows:
Slide on the touch pad on the right side of Gear VR to scroll back and forth through the menu to select the menu item; Click to open the selected menu. If you click while watching the video, it will pause. There are other functions in the game; There is also an entity return button on the top of the touchpad. Click to return or cancel, and long press to open the application submenu; There is also a separate volume button in front of the back button.
As far as the operation and enabling steps are concerned, although Gear VR needs to be repeatedly connected with Note 4 for several times, the guidance for each step is very clear and simple, and the overall setting steps are even more convenient than setting a new Note 4 itself. Therefore, at least in terms of user communication experience, Gear VR is worthy of praise. It is easy and natural to start.
When really using Gear VR for entertainment, users don't need to make any adjustments, calibrations and endless system upgrades. Just upgrade Note 4 to the latest system (it takes about 15 minutes) and upgrade the control APP of Gear VR to the latest version.
For users who like to use the Bluetooth handle, simply pair the Bluetooth handle with Note 4, and then they can use it normally. If you want to use the headset, remove the front protective cover, and insert the headset directly into the headset hole of Note 4. After removing the protective cover, the whole Gear VR looks more handsome.
Gear VR gives me the same feeling as the current mainstream smart watches. VR devices are not able to completely replace other electronic devices at present. In particular, Gear VR itself also needs to rely on Samsung's smart phones. If there is a call, SMS or email in use, users need to take the phone out of Gear VR for reply processing.
For example, if I am using VR and someone calls me, a green phone icon will appear in my sight. When I move my eyes to that icon, the caller information will be expanded. If you need to reject a call, just tap the following on the touch panel. If you need to answer a call, you need to disassemble the VR to take out Note 4, I answered it like a normal call.
So in this regard, Gear VR is still an immature device. Although it has a unique experience in use, it is still powerless for basic communication functions, at least for the moment.
The answer to whether VR can be vigorously developed is really simple. As long as it can be integrated into our lives, everyone will choose to buy one at the right price. If VR devices only focus on experience, they are destined to become a toy for a few people and may eventually die.
At present, apps such as Oculus 360 photos and Oculus 360 videos (especially the latter) are very interesting and good-looking. Those who think "what is this?" first invite them to have a try and then give their opinions. Now there is an Icelandic 360 degree video, which really seems to be in the scene when actually watching it. It's really great.
The future of VR sounds very beautiful. You can experience the feeling of standing on the edge of a cliff and looking down without leaving home, or you can almost touch the water vapor in the air and the cold wind in the respiratory tract as a waterfall falls from the top to the bottom. At least, the common people can enjoy this experience now. We must thank Samsung.
In the simple UI of Gear VR, there is only one main menu displayed in 3D, in which there will be options of content store. The UI is roughly as follows:
However, it should be noted that the above picture is just an effect picture. At present, the content in the content store is very scarce, and screen shots cannot be obtained when using VR. At least Samsung does not allow users to take screenshots when using VR, so the user interface can only be displayed through language description and YY composite effect pictures.
The content library is similar to the UI and the content store. It can display all the purchased and available content. The entire UI looks similar to the PS4 game console. However, users cannot arrange the order of VR applications by themselves, nor can they fix any APP on the home page. This is inconvenient, but for VR devices, A good experience in using content is more important than a sophisticated UI.
After the APP is opened, there is a secondary menu, in which the camera of Note 4 can be opened, and the scene captured by the camera can be displayed on VR in real time. However, there will be a slight delay when using the camera to look around, and the user will look like a mechanical war police at this time.
At present, Gear VR has six exclusive games, namely, Herobound: First Steps, Ikarus, Dreamhills, Esper, Proton Pulse and Darknet.
Take Herobound: For First Steps, this game is the first official VR game. Players need to point out a villain. They will encounter ghosts and skeletons from one room to another through many dangers. It's OK to play, but the player's perspective is similar to that of God, so players just watch various villains in front of their eyes, To tell you the truth, this game really doesn't take advantage of VR.
Another Darkenet game is one of the few games that is not a trial version at present. It seems quite interesting that players play computer hackers to roam and decrypt in the network. Moreover, this game is also the most enjoyable one among VR games at present, and the entire interface is also very simple.
Summary:
Gear VR is a device with infinite potential, and different from other devices, Gear VR can be used and really can be used. As for battery life, I can only say that it is OK. Under heavy use, the battery is a bit insufficient. After all, the power supply of Gear VR comes from Note 4, and the built-in battery of Note 4 also supplies power to the processor and screen.
Gear VR is also a limited device, because when you wear it, you enter another world. If you need to return to the original world, you need to break the pace of traveling in the other world and return to reality. In addition, there are very few apps available for VR at present, and the portability is also very urgent. Samsung has made a special storage box for Gear VR, This storage box can't be stuffed into any pocket or bag.
Do you want to buy it?
This problem is very difficult. For those who like VR, Gear VR is undoubtedly the best VR device at present. Even VR enthusiasts should buy a Note 4 for Gear VR, and I am willing to do so myself, although I am not cold with Note 4 at all.
For ordinary consumers, Gear VR is still a semi-finished product, or a smart product. Although it has improved a lot compared with the previous VR devices, it is not mature enough. It still has a lot to improve before it is popularized to the masses.
So the question of whether to buy or not depends entirely on the thickness of your personal wallet. However, if you have the opportunity, no matter how unpopular you are with Samsung, you must experience Gear VR.
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