THE TECH-LICIOUS: VIRTUAL REALITY

Continental's Augmented Reality HUD puts information on the road

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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><img alt="The Continental AR-HUD prototype brings augmented reality to the windshield" height="360" src="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/continentalarhud-0.jpg" title="The Continental AR-HUD prototype brings augmented reality to the windshield" width="640" /> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Displaying your speed on the windshield can be handy for keeping under 
the speed limit, but Continental is taking things to the next level with
 its Augmented Reality Head-up Display (AR-HUD) prototype. In addition 
to showing your current speed, the system can overlay information on the
 road specifically where it is most relevant to the driver, such as the 
distance to the car in front, when to make a turn, or even upcoming 
driving conditions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><img alt="The Continental AR-HUD prototype brings augmented reality to the windshield" border="0" data-pic-id="282823" height="461" itemprop="contentURL" src="http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/continentalarhud-0.jpg" title="The Continental AR-HUD prototype brings augmented reality to the windshield" width="640" /> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The system draws data from the vehicle's camera and radar and 
combines it with the vehicle's dynamics data, digital maps and GPS 
positioning, which is used to create a model of the external view of the
 car as seen from the driver's perspective. This allows the system to 
project the augmented information onto the windscreen at the correct 
visual point for the driver.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The system overlays full-color graphics on the real road view in a 
130 cm (51 in) wide by 60 cm (23 in) high section of the driver's field 
of vision at an optical-equivalent distance of 7.5 m (24 ft). The 
Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) technology used in this system is 
claimed to be the same as that used for digital cinema devices, such as 
the Odin Handy Projector.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As part of this system, navigation symbols – such as turns – are 
directly incorporated in the forward field of view, so that the driver 
doses not have to look away to a GPS device located elsewhere in the 
vehicle. Similarly, when distance controls such as Adaptive Cruise 
Control (ACC) are enabled, a crescent-shaped icon displayed by the 
AR-HUD denotes which vehicle in the field of view is detected by the 
assistance system and the driver is kept alerted to any stray movements 
from their own vehicle line by an incorporated lane-monitoring alert.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"In a world that is becoming increasingly complex, the AR-HUD 
relieves the burden on the driver with a new quality of information," 
says Helmut Matschi, a member of the Executive Board at Continental. "In
 the augmentation, we are connecting what the driver's eyes see with 
explanatory information. The AR-HUD is an important step in the 
direction of holistic human machine interfaces in cars for a more 
comfortable, more economic, and safer driving experience. Drivers 
receive all important information before their eyes in an easily 
comprehensible way. This is a major step against driver distraction and 
sensory overload, both now and in the future."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Developed from previous HUD systems that are currently incorporated 
in many European cars, the new system is in an advanced stage of 
development and has already been integrated into a demonstration 
vehicle. However, unlike other systems that are being developed for 
racing vehicles – such as Jaguar's Virtual Windscreen
 – which require specific race-track telemetry to provide information on
 other vehicles, the Continental AR-HUD collects its data using standard
 on-board electronics systems.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Continental is planning to have a production-ready version of its 
AR-HUD available in 2017 for purchase by automakers for incorporation in
 their production model vehicles.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SOURCE-<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/augmented-reality-hud-improves-driver-information/33223/" target="_blank">GIZMAG</a> </span></span></div>
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Continental's Augmented Reality HUD puts information on the road

Displaying your speed on the windshield can be handy for keeping under the speed limit, but Continental is taking things to the next level with its Augmented Reality Head-up Display (AR-HUD) prot…

05 Aug 2014

Fitle gives users a 3D avatar of themselves for virtually trying on clothes

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Fitle wants to provide users with a 3D avatar of themselves with which to try on clothes w..." height="359" src="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/fitle-6.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A new service is promising to end the uncertainty of how clothes will look or fit when shopping on the web. Fitle aims to provide users with a 3D avatar of themselves with which to "try on" clothes online. The company says it will eventually offer the world's largest clothes database via partners.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A number of technologies have already been created aimed at helping people to judge the look at fit of clothes when shopping online. Fits.me is a solution developed for online retailers that allows people to input their measurements and dress a virtual mannequin to gauge clothing fit. Verisize, meanwhile, provides users with size equivalents across clothing brands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While these tools can be useful, Fitle says that it can create a 3D avatar of an individual that not only looks like them, but that is morphologically exact. Indeed, it claims to provide a 99 percent accurate representation of the user.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/fitle-3d-clothing-avatar/33167/pictures#1" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="User need only provide their height and four photos to create their 3D avatar" src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/fitle-1.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="530" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Fitle avatars are created using the height measurement of a user and four photos of them. An algorithm is used to extract more than 50 parameters based on how a user looks, while another is used to create a 3D reconstruction of the user. Fitle says the end results are photo-realistic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The company also uses its recognition and reconstruction algorithms to digitize clothing from its partners. By doing so, Fitle says it is able to generate "accurate 3D versions of clothes based on their dimensions, size and material," and that users can therefore be confident that the look and fit of the clothes on their avatars will be true to life.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/fitle-3d-clothing-avatar/33167/pictures#2" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="An algorithm is used to extract more than 50 parameters based on how a user looks" src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/fitle-2.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="529" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Amongst the other benefits that Fitle says its technology will provide is the ability to show users only clothes that will fit them and that match their style, based on previous purchases. Users can scan the barcode of existing clothes to see what they would look like when paired with online items, if the existing item has already been digitized. Clothes can also be saved to a virtual wardrobe in order to try out different outfits or to see how certain items will match with potential purchases in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Fitle says that it has the catalogs of over 250 partner brands already digitized. Partner catalogs are kept up-to-date with new items, changes in price and product availability.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/fitle-3d-clothing-avatar/33167/pictures#3" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Users can scan the barcodes of existing clothes to see how they would look with potential ..." src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/fitle-3.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="529" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The company is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the industrialization of its 3D clothes modeling process, to increase its partner network, to further improve its accuracy and to run beta testing of the technology. Individuals can pledge to receive, amongst other things, a smartphone case, a watch or beta access to the site. The campaign looks set to miss its target, but Fitle says it will launch regardless. It is due to go live first in the US and France by February 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Fitle's Kickstarter pitch video can be seen below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">source-<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/fitle-3d-clothing-avatar/33167/" target="_blank">gizmag</a></span></div>
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Fitle gives users a 3D avatar of themselves for virtually trying on clothes

A new service is promising to end the uncertainty of how clothes will look or fit when shopping on the web. Fitle aims to provide users with a 3D avatar of themselves with which to "try on" clothes o…

30 Jul 2014

Cyberith's Virtualizer brings running, jumping ... and sitting to virtual reality

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The Virtualizer VR rig from Cyberith lets gamers walk, run, jump, crouch, kneel and even s..." height="359" src="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/cyberith-virtualizer-23.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22px;">In recent years, we've seen a number of virtual reality (VR) devices targeted at bringing more immersive gaming to the home while also adding locomotion to the mix. Joining the charge is the Virtualizer from Austrian-based company Cyberith. The rig features an omni-directional treadmill, which is nothing new, but in addition to letting gamers walk and run on the spot, it also lets them rotate, jump, crouch, kneel and even sit down, with these motions matched in game by their virtual selves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The Cyberith Virtualizer is touted as the ultimate in immersive VR rigs" height="470" src="http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/cyberith-virtualizer-13.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Cyberith's Virtualizer has been designed to be compatible with various head-mounted displays, such as <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/eyes-on-oculus-rift-virtual-reality-ces/26225/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Oculus Rift</a> goggles, along with various gaming guns and controllers, like Nintendo’s Wii remote. Teamed with a pair of stereo headphones and haptic feedback to add both aural and physical dimensions to the illusion, the creators believe that the Vitualizer is the most immersive VR experience available.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Central to the device is the base plate, which looks a lot like the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/wizdish-virtual-reality/24592/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">WizDish platform</a> we looked at back in 2012, and can support weights of 120 kg (265 lb). It contains integrated optical sensors to precisely determine foot movements, while sensors in the support pillars determine a user’s vertical position. The base plate is coated with a very low friction material so that socks are the only footwear required to get up and running (and gunning) – which will probably be a relief to roommates and neighbors who like their peace and quiet.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/cyberith-virtualizer-virtual-reality/33069/pictures#5" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The Cyberith Virtualizer boasts a range of positional sensors to monitor the physical move..." src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/cyberith-virtualizer-24.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="530" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The other major component of the Virtualizer is the movable ring contraption into which the user is strapped. Other VR systems, such as the<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/virtuix-omni-treadmill-vr/27214/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Virtuix Omni</a> use similar ring devices, however, the Cyberith team says their system allows even more input range, with users able to rotate, jump, crouch, kneel and sit down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's worth noting that the team behind the Virtuix Omni, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the Virtualizer, are also working on adding<a href="http://www.virtuix.com/crouching-functionality-r-d/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">crouching functionality</a> to their device. However, they admit that it is beyond their reach at the device's current price point. So, if the Cyberith device works as promised and meets its planned release date, it may well be the first commercially-available system to do so at a reasonable price.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Virtualizer rig might appear cumbersome to use, but the team say they have developed a special counterbalance weight system and a set of linear guides in the surrounding columns that ensure both minimum resistance and smooth operation. The harness also serves to support the user’s weight in a sitting position as well, so that the immersive illusion is not disrupted when the operator gets into a virtual car or mounts a virtual motorcycle in game.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/cyberith-virtualizer-virtual-reality/33069/pictures#6" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The Virtualizer can support the player's weight, allowing them to 'sit' while doing some v..." src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/cyberith-virtualizer-25.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="526" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Virtualizer creators have also claimed a first with the integration of haptic technology into their omni-directional treadmill. This optional extra uses acousto-haptic devices to precisely direct haptic feedback to the feet that matches the direction of a noise or vibrational source in the game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The team states that it is also not necessary for the software being used to support native haptic feedback as their system is designed to pick up audio signals from the game engine and transform those into haptic feedback. Though the entire system is touted as s USB plug and play device that uses USB power to operate, adding the haptic feedback option means that an additional power supply is required.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Virtualizer software is also designed to track the virtual and real distances covered by the user whilst walking or running, which then allows analysis of calorie consumption and average speed. With an upcoming Software Development Kit (SDK), due to be available by the end of 2014, and a software interface that allows a choice of emulating a controller or a keyboard, the team believes that their device can be made compatible with almost any bespoke or commercial software.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The upshot of all this is that the Virtualizer also has the potential to be used in simulations other than games, such as virtual tours, education, and training applications.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Already awarded a number of prizes in the virtual and software arenas for its prototypes, the Cyberith team launched a <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1259519125/cyberith-virtualizer-immersive-virtual-reality-gam" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kickstarter</a> campaign this week to help bring a commercial version to market. Prices start at US$599 for a standard Virtualizer rig without sensors, while $999 is the minimum price for a model including haptic feedback. If all goes to plan, deliveries are slated to begin in March 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The video pitch below shows the Virtualizer in action.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Source: <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/cyberith-virtualizer-virtual-reality/33069/" target="_blank">gizmag</a></span></div>
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Cyberith's Virtualizer brings running, jumping ... and sitting to virtual reality

In recent years, we've seen a number of virtual reality (VR) devices targeted at bringing more immersive gaming to the home while also adding locomotion to the mix. Joining the charge is the Virtuali…

24 Jul 2014

This may be Samsung's VR headset

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="This may be Samsung's VR headset" height="359" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/games_consoles/Samsung%20Gear%20VR/Samsung%20VR%20headset%20SamMobile-578-80.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We've heard it rumored before, but now Samsung's VR headset is showing its face. Maybe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">SamMobile scored details and a render of the virtual reality peeper, called Gear VR, a name Samsung applied to trademark in June. The Samsung-centric site revealed the headset will be announced at IFA 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Side note: The Galaxy Note 4 is also due during the German show, according to SamMobile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Samsung apparently decided not make Gear VR a standalone virtual reality viewer, like the Oculus Rift, and instead developed a modular peripheral that needs a Galaxy handset (docked via USB 3.0) to function. The phone will also act as the headset's screen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The effect of virtual reality is achieved through head tracking. Using the docked phone's accelerometer, gyroscope and processor and not its own sensors, the headset will give the sensation of VR.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">More Gear VR details</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">According to SamMobile, which doesn't state how it received the intel or render of Gear VR, the headset will feature an elastic strap and soft padded cushions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There's a "see-through button" on the right side of the headset that will reputedly use the docked phone's rear-facing camera to stream in video of the outside world. The idea, it seems, is to cut back on taking the headset on and off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A touchpad along the bottom of Gear VR is said to sit directly below the transparent button, and it will be used to maneuver through the phone's UI.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Many of these details were first reported by Engadget in May, and SamMobile is confirming them up as well as providing the image you see above. A new Engadget report has the site's sources saying the render is similar to though not quite the same as the Gear VR units they've seen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A side of Oculus, and others</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">According to SamMobile, a section of the Samsung Apps will be devoted to Gear VR, similar to its treatment of Gear smartwatch software. Apps such as Theatre, 360 Player and Gallery will be available for the headset, but Samsung will reportedly open an SDK for third-party developers soon after the initial Gear VR announcement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As was previously reported, Oculus is apparently lending a hand with Samsung Gear VR. While the hardware is all Samsung, the Rift maker is reportedly helping in the software development department.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">How similar the experience and content between the two virtual reality headsets are will be something to keep an eye on. It may not be too hard to compare since IFA falls just days before Oculus' first developer conference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Gear VR's set-up - a plugged-in phone that acts as the brain of the headset - is similar to Google Cardboard, a DIY VR headset the company announced during IO 2014. Though of course, users won't be building their own Gear VR.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">SOURCE-<a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/this-may-be-samsung-s-vr-headset-1256488" target="_blank">TECH RADAR</a></span></div>
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This may be Samsung's VR headset

We've heard it rumored before, but now Samsung's VR headset is showing its face. Maybe. SamMobile scored details and a render of the virtual reality peeper, called Gear VR, a name Samsung applied to …

09 Jul 2014

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