Revised Samsung Gear 360 Camera, DeX Dock And Gear VR Complement Galaxy S8 Family
While the big news coming out of New York City today was no doubt the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, Samsung had a number of accessories that will complement its latest flagship smartphones. In fact, Samsung showed off a new Gear 360 camera, the Windows Continuum-esque DeX Dock and a new Gear VR headset bundle.
As its name implies, the Gear 360 is capable of shooting pictures and videos in 360 degrees, but now features an integrated hand grip, which Samsung says is easier to use. The camera has been upgraded with dual 8.4MP image sensors that are capable of capturing 4K video at a resolution of 4096x2048 (at 24fps) though two F2.2 fisheye lenses. If you’d like to use the Gear 360 to take still shots, you can capture them at up to 15MP.
The Gear 360 is also capable of streaming live VR content (at up to 2K resolutions) via a compatible smartphone directly to YouTube, Facebook and Samsung VR. Speaking of smartphone support, the Gear 360 supports the full range of Samsung Galaxy flagships dating back to the Galaxy S6 along with iPhone 6S and newer iPhones. The new Gear 360 ships this spring with a price tag of $349.
Moving on, we have the Samsung Desktop Experience (DeX) dock, which allows you to connect your powerful Galaxy S8 or S8+ to a keyboard, mouse and monitor (via HDMI). DeX has two USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet and it can also connect to peripherals via Bluetooth.
When connected to your smartphone, you’re given an expanded Android UI environment that gives you more screen real estate to edit documents and pictures, and navigate the internet with a desktop-class web browser. Samsung has collaborated with big names like Microsoft and Adobe to bring apps like Office, Acrobat Reader and Lightroom Mobile to DeX. Samsung also provides the ability to access Windows-based applications using virtual desktop solutions provided by Citrix and VMware.
“Our collaboration with key partners such as Adobe and Microsoft was essential in the development of Samsung DeX, as they share our vision for building excellence in mobile productivity,” said Injong Rhee, CTO of the Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “With Samsung DeX, enterprise users can also be assured their smartphone and data are protected by the Samsung Knox security platform built into the smartphone. Samsung DeX redefines what a smartphone can do to keep mobile professionals productive.”
Last, but certainly not least, there’s a new Gear VR headset bundle making the rounds. The new Gear VR is still powered by Oculus technology, and by all accounts is identical specs wise to its predecessor (which was introduced with the Galaxy Note 7). What’s new this time around is that a wireless controller is bundled in the box that allows you to navigate through menus and games. It also features dedicated Back, Home, and volume buttons.
Adding the controller does raise the price, however, which is now $129. It will ship on April 21st, the same day at the Galaxy S8 and S8+.
