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Samsung creates virtual reality Web browser

Lauren Kate Rawlins
By Lauren Kate Rawlins, ITWeb digital and innovation contributor.
Johannesburg, 03 Dec 2015
Samsung's virtual reality Web browser works with the newly released Gear VR headset.
Samsung's virtual reality Web browser works with the newly released Gear VR headset.

Korean electronics company Samsung has developed a Web browser optimised for virtual reality (VR). The Web browser comes in the form of an app and works with the newly released Samsung Gear VR.

The Gear VR is a headset that requires a smartphone to be placed inside it, using the phone's screen to provide the VR experience.

A VR headset has the ability to 'transport' the wearer to anywhere in the world. More and more companies (for example, the New York Times) are developing apps for smartphones that work with these headsets.

The 'Samsung Internet for Gear VR' app allows users to browse the Web and experience immersive content without having to download the content to their smartphones.

"As the demand for 360-degree, immersive video content rapidly rises, Samsung Internet for Gear VR further enriches the VR content ecosystem for our consumers, setting an industry standard for the VR viewing experience," said Chan-Woo Park, Samsung VP of product strategy, IT and mobile communications, in a blog post.

Samsung Internet for Gear VR has voice recognition for text input. The browser supports Gaze Mode, which allows users to navigate using their eyes. For example, menus and bookmarks can be selected by staring at them for long enough.

The Samsung Internet for Gear VR beta version is available for download in the Oculus Store. Supported Samsung devices include the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note5.

The Samsung Gear VR is available in South Africa for the recommended retail price of R3 499.

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