Samsung is making a standalone virtual reality headset: Report

At the Samsung Developer Conference in San Francisco, the company announced that it is working on a standalone virtual reality (VR) headset, which will work without a smartphone! It will also compete with the Oculus Rift and HTC’s Vive. According to a report by Variety, Injong Rhee, head of R&D confirmed, “We are working on wireless and dedicated VR devices, not necessarily working with our mobile phone. VR is amazing, but the industry is still at its infancy.” He states that the new device will also include hand and gesture tracking, but might take a few more years before we see it turn into a reality. A lot has already been said and written about how 2016 is the year of virtual reality. Recently, a report by Strategy Analytics revealed that global virtual reality revenues are expected to reach $895 million this year. The report adds that out of the overall revenue, 77 percent will come from Oculus, HTC and Sony. However, the trio will account to only 13 percent of the volumes, says the report. It is the low-priced smartphone based VR systems that will dominate the space. The Oculus Rift was launched for $600 in March, HTC Vive is on its way and Sony plans to launch its PlayStation VR headset later this year. Meanwhile, Google Cardboard is already available and even distributed for free, while Samsung has already launched its Gear VR.