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2017 Gear VR will come with a one-handed controller

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Samsung’s next-generation Gear VR smartphone virtual reality headset will come with its own one-handed controller. Instead of using the touchpad on the headset itself, users will be able to have a much more physical input mechanism for the virtual world.

If you discount the various low-cost VR headsets like Google Cardboard, the Gear VR is the most popular virtual reality headset in the world — easily outstripping the likes of the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. It does however have a few weaknesses. It lacks positional tracking and perhaps more importantly for the mobile VR medium, decent controller support. That looks set to change with the next generation of the headset.

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While Samsung has not made any sort of official announcement about this, we do have FCC filings to go by, as well as an insider’s scoop.

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As it stands, Gear VR users are forced to input with a third-party controller or use the touchpad mounted on the side of the headset. The next version, designated SM-R324, we’re told will have some kind of single-handed controller. Beyond that, we don’t know much, but presumably it will have similar inputs as the current touchpad interface.

Without any form of inside-out or external sensor positional tracking, it’s unlikely that we’ll see the controller tracked within the virtual space, but removing the need for a third party controller for serious headset users is a smart move. It could also be a way for Samsung to combat the positive reception surrounding Google’s Daydream View headset, which comes with its own one-handed remote, as per Engadget.

One other update that is said to be coming with the new-generation of Gear VR headset, is that it will have a customized face plate to allow for compatibility with the new Galaxy S8. That could mean the new Gear VR will have other advantages, like lower weight and a resolution bump, but we’ll need to wait for the official specifications to say for sure.

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is a freelance evergreen writer and occasional section coordinator, covering how to guides, best-of lists, and…
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