Virtual Reality Coming To Samsung’s New Product Launch, Plus Cruises, News


Virtual Reality is the next big thing in technology, with numerous companies getting in on the action from Google to Sony, but Samsung’s virtual reality introduction of the new Galaxy S7 could be the first time virtual reality is used for a product launch, among many other new innovations from cruising the virtual seas to watching some virtual news.

According to Uber Gizmo, Sunday’s Samsung Galaxy S7 launch will be done in virtual reality, marking a new frontier in the world of VR.

“Now we know that virtual reality might seem like a tool specific to video games, but it can be used for all kinds of situations, and this product announcement is one of them. Basically if you own the Samsung Gear VR headset, Samsung is advising you to download the Unpacked 360 View app and install it on your phone.

“Once that’s done, pop your phone into the Gear VR headset, select one of the viewing angles, and you’ll be good to go once the event kicks off, making you feel like you’re in the crowd.”

The virtual reality launch on Sunday (Feb. 21) comes near the same time word got out about new virtual reality cruises to soon be offered by Carnival Cruise Lines.

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Virtual reality is becoming more widespread, with a smartphone launch being available in VR, as well as virtual tours of Carnival Cruises and a new VR news channel. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

The Miami Herald reports the move to virtual reality is a way for the cruise operator to boost its bottom line in a market that can still be spooked by the tiniest hiccups in the economy or terror attack on tourists overseas, despite record high sales. The paper reports Carnival is also looking to boost first-time cruisers on its lines by offering the virtual tours on Samsung devices through March 11.

“The 360-degree experience, developed by Carnival Corp., features views aboard a selection of its ships, including staterooms, decks and entertainment options, as well as popular ports of call, including Barcelona and Mexico.”

While one could assume the virtual reality cruise and port call would be a vacation in and of itself, the company said it is a way for potential cruisers to experience the ships and ports before purchasing, something the company thinks would be a winning sales strategy.

And virtual reality is not just from product launches and cruise ships. A news outlet is in development that caters to the virtual reality crowd, according to Kotaku.

The site said chip maker AMD is developing the news outlet in partnership with the Associated Press to take virtual reality users on a trip to many far-off places.

“Titled 3600 Videos and Virtual Reality, the channel so far has a series of pieces where being able to visualise and explore the physical location of the story is paramount. There’s 3600 videos of a Rare Supermoon Eclipse; the Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiere; a tour through the world’s largest automated sorting facility; life inside a migrant camp in Calais, France; a tour of one of the most expensive hotel suites in the world; and what it was like to be on the red carpet at this year’s People Choice awards.”

While the idea sounds amazing and is being funded through the partnership with AMD, the videos uploaded as a part of the experience are so far only in 2D, Kotaku reports. It also said while AMD is footing the bill for the virtual reality news outlet, the Associated Press is retaining the rights to full editorial control of content. In layman’s terms, AMD pays while AP tells the consumer what they can see.

With the changes taking place in the world of virtual reality, are you willing to invest or will you wait until the technology is more fully developed for the masses?

[Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images]

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