Samsung is kicking off MWC 2017 with a few new tablets, some talk about 5G, and some improvements to virtual reality. The company has just announced the new Gear VR which for the first time includes a controller in the box. Correctly titled the “Samsung Gear VR with Controller powered by Oculus,” provides a full VR setup out of the box.
The controller included with the new Gear VR is like that of Oculus’s touch controllers. It is ergonomically designed and is meant for one-handed control. This controller is meant for navigating the user interface and for gaming. The controller is motion sensitive without cameras, similar to the Google Daydream VR headset. Buttons for Home, Volume and Back are on the controller as well, allowing full control right from your hand with the VR headset on.
The updated Gear VR headset will work with USB Type-C and micro USB devices, Samsung lists the Galaxy S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6 edge+, S6 and S6 edge as all compatible. I expected that list to grow once the Galaxy S8 is unveiled. Samsung’s new Gear VR that includes a controller should be launching soon.
