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Virtual reality just got real, declares Samsung in Gear VR ad

Samsung just released a TV commercial for its Gear VR, and it has one big quality: it makes virtual reality look dead simple. Just watch for yourself.
By
November 23, 2015

Samsung just released a TV commercial for its Gear VR, and it has one big quality: it makes virtual reality look dead simple. Just watch for yourself.

Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR are cool, and without doubt, these high-end, high-octane platforms will foster innovation in virtual reality. But the Rift and the PSVR require hefty investments and dedicated rigs with inconvenient tethers. They are intimidating.

Samsung’s Gear VR, by comparison, is very simple. Just plug in your compatible phone and you’re good to go. Virtual swims with the sharks, orbital spacewalks, and Disney blockbusters can be experienced in just a few seconds, without messing with a console or your PC settings. And simplicity is a very powerful quality when it comes to the adoption of new technologies.

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Note that the “users” in the commercial appear to be young women – not the typical early adopters and definitely not the target demographic of tech blogs and VR forums.

Samsung is also cleverly capitalizing on its early arrival in the market – the slogan of the ad is “Virtual reality just got real.” Samsung is establishing itself as the innovator in this field, though perhaps it’s Oculus (Samsung’s partner in developing Gear VR) that deserves the title.

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The Gear VR has just gone on sale at Amazon and other retailers for $99. A recent Samsung smartphone is required.

Will Gear VR be the hot ticket item on this year’s Christmas shopping lists? We’ll see in a few weeks.