Samsung could be taking the covers off a Windows-based mixed reality headset as early as October 3, demonstrating that the South Korean tech giant isn’t going to just stick with its Gear VR headsets.
Leaked images of Samsung’s mixed reality headset, which blends virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in one wearable device, came courtesy of Twitter user WalkingCat. And while the legitimacy of the images can’t be proved, the design of the headset looks to be a solid mix of the Gear VR smartphone VR gadget and higher-end Windows-based headsets from the likes of Acer.
Given Microsoft is holding an event on October 3 to showcase its latest products and its work in mixed reality, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Samsung’s headset make its debut with the backing of Microsoft’s product big wigs.
From the leaked images, it would appear that Samsung’s headset has its own built-in sensors, meaning there would be no need to set up external sensor modules for tracking a wearer’s movements as is the case with the HTC Vive. However, the headset is not likely to be wireless as Windows-based mixed reality devices still need to have a connection to a desktop or laptop running Windows 10.
A pair of AKG headphones appears to be built into the headset, meaning that that it should provide decent audio as well as potentially tap into the high-quality displays Samsung makes for its smartphones and TVs to hopefully provide striking mixed reality visuals and a more immersive VR experience, when compared to the smartphone-based VR headsets Samsung has been championing.
If Samsung does indeed have a mixed reality headset in the works, then it could help make access to VR and AR tech more accessible and drive more adoption and innovation in what has so far been quite a niche area of the technology world.
Related: Windows Mixed Reality explained
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