Samsung – September
The first indications that Samsung was to get into the VR space came from an article by Engadget’s Ben Gilbert who wrote that sources indicated that Samsung wanted to have hardware on the market by the end of 2014. Shortly thereafter, Gilbert added more fuel, indicating that Samsung was to cooperate with Oculus, not compete. In July, supposedly internal documentation was uncovered by SamMobile revealing a prototype design and name—Gear VR—for the rumored headset.
After it was discovered that Oculus’ DK2 headset contained hidden within it a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 display, the cooperation described by Gilbert seemed all but confirmed. The nail in the coffin came in August when a photo of the device leaked. The following month at the IFA conference in Berlin, Samsung officially revealed the Gear VR, a mobile VR headset compatible with Galaxy Note 4, including a ‘Powered by Oculus’ logo on the side.
Where Are They Now?
Samsung indeed launched Gear VR by the end of the year (at least in the U.S.). The $199 device went on sale earlier this month and has impressed us with the experience. Samsung calls this initial launch of Gear VR the ‘Innovator Edition’—not quite a development kit, but not quite ready for everyone. Oculus, who always call the unit a development kit, seems to have a different idea, but regardless, we’ve been quite impressed with Gear VR which far and away represents the best mobile VR experience to date.
See Also:
- Samsung Gear VR Detailed Review: Part One – Design Comparison to Oculus Rift DK2
- Samsung Gear VR Detailed Review: Part Two – Experience, Gameplay Videos, and More
Going forward, it looks like Samsung and Oculus have formed a strong bond, with the former primarily focusing on mobile VR and the latter on desktop VR. You can bet that the screen used in Oculus’ first consumer VR headset, the CV1, will be of Samsung make.
Apple – Late November
The notoriously secretive company hasn’t officially tipped their hand to any VR products or services they might be working on, but it’s clear that they’re actively committing resources to participate in the emerging field. At the end of November it was discovered that Apple was seeking a new hire who could create “high performance apps that integrate with Virtual Reality systems;” the company specifically listed ‘VR/AR development’ as a job requirement.
A week later additional listings became even more VR focused, seeking a ‘VR/AR Programmer’ who had “shipped a VR application, product, or game” and would go on “to develop software and tools that use VR and AR to push the state of the art to enable development of Apple’s next generation of products.”
With Google now making a serious play with Cardboard, it looks like Apple is on defense. It’s likely that Apple doesn’t want to cede an early share of VR apps to the Play Store, for fear of repercussions that could last years, much like the early skirmishes of the companies’ app stores.
Microsoft – January(?)
Microsoft is the one on this list that we know least about. Their latest dealings are still very much in the rumor category. As reported by TechRadar and VRFocus this month, developers are rumored to already be working with a Microsoft VR headset. DigiTimes reports that Microsoft is expected to show their VR headset at CES 2015 in January.
When Sony announced Morpheus in March, 2014, Microsoft got in touch with Forbes to make sure everyone knew they were also looking into VR. Microsoft Studios head Phil Spencer told the publication that VR was, “definitely something we’ve been playing with for quite a while.”
Microsoft has demonstrated lots of interesting R&D for immersive gaming. At least as far back as 2010, the company has been filing patents surrounding a video headset for the Xbox. In June 2012, leaked documents for the ‘Xbox 720’ (which would become the Xbox One) showed a headset with AR- and VR-like functionality. The company’s IllumiRoom proof-of-concept stretched gaming action beyond the TV with projectors instead of a headset.
If that doesn’t get you excited for 2015, I don’t know what will. With CES right around the corner, we’re about to get a glimpse of what’s to come in the VR industry throughout the Earth’s next trip around the sun.
See Also: CES 2015 Marks the Arrival of Consumer VR – Road to VR Will be There
Predictions for what we’ll be talking about when we’re doing our 2015 lookback at the end of next year? Share them with us in the comments below!
