Samsung is very much interested in selling smartphone users a Gear VR virtual reality headset in the future, and SamMobile has already obtained access to unreleased Gear VR apps that will be available to Galaxy device owners in the future.
The publication lists several apps that can be installed on a compatible device from Samsung’s servers, including VR Panorama, VR Cinema and HMT Manager with help of a Gear VR setup wizard app. Samsung has partnered with Oculus for the Gear VR, with the latter working on the software side of the headset.
Unfortunately, without an actual Gear VR headset at its disposal, the publication was not able to test out VR Panorama and VR Cinema, but it could use the HMT Manager, which is an early Gear VR Manager app for configuring certain preferences for the headset, whether the accessory is connected to the device or not.
The HMT Manager also reveals certain design elements for the Gear VR, which is yet to become official. The virtual reality glasses will have a touchpad and a back button on the right side that will be needed to navigate through the user interface.
The back button also has a handy feature that allows users to see what’s happening in the real world without taking off glasses. By long-pressing the button, the rear camera of the Galaxy phone is activated, offering a video feed of the outside world.
Additionally, the setup wizard also reveals that the Gear VR will have an USB 3.0 port, so users can connect their smartphone to the headset. Once connected, the buttons and touchscreen of the handset become inactive, and the user will have to use the trackpad and button on the VR set to move through menus.
The Gear VR headset is expected to arrive at IFA 2014, at which point an SDK will be released to developers interested in creating apps for it.
Images from the HMT Manager app follow below, with more pictures available at the source link.
