Samsung has announced it is launching a dedicated web browser for the Gear VR headset.
The Samsung Internet for Gear VR browser will arrive in beta form tomorrow and will support 360-degree videos as well as 3D experiences on the web.
The idea, as laid out on the Samsung blog, is to make it easier for wearers to access VR content hosted on the web rather than going through dedicated applications.
For example, YouTube has a host of experiences available from the browser, but there’s currently no YouTube app available for the Oculus-powered Gear VR.
The Gear VR makes it possible to view 360-degree videos from a Facebook feed, but this will take things a step further.
Data input will be handled by voice recognition, while a Gaze Mode will make it possible for users to select content by looking at it. To assist with this, the app will also import bookmarks from the browser used on the mobile device uses with the Gear.
The Samsung Internet for Gear VR will be available to download from the Oculus Store from tomorrow, while supported devices include the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge , Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note5 with Gear VR.
The consumer edition of the Gear VR went on sale in the US earlier this month, but we’re still waiting for confirmation of a UK release date.
Hopefully the lighter, more comfortable device will be available in the UK before Christmas, at a price comparable to the $99 tag across the Atlantic.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
