Reports surfacing say that Samsung and Oculus Rift are working on VR technology together. Last week, reports said that Samsung is actually trying to create its own VR product to rival Oculus Rift’s VR and Sony’s Project Morpheus. Now, the reported creation of a VR headset looks to be a result of Oculus and Samsung providing product information to each other.
A Engadget report claims that anonymous sources involved with both companies revealed this production merge. And the results are hinting towards advanced technology from both of the companies. Samsung and Oculus are sharing information between each other about hardware and software. OLED screens developed by Samsung serve as an incentive for Oculus. Software is then open for Samsung from what Oculus VR has created on their end. The article had this to say:
Oculus is handling the software-side of the product, while Samsung handles the hardware. The deal is a swap: Oculus gives Samsung early access to its mobile software development kit and helps develop user interface software, while Samsung gives Oculus early access to its next-gen OLED screens. And yes, Oculus is still making its own, gaming-focused, PC-based virtual reality headset; that’s why it needs next-gen, high-pixel density OLED screens from Samsung.
More information from Engadget explains a mobile Software Developer Kit (SDK) is in use by Samsung. Use of the SDK is operating their VR sets by using a Samsung phone to run them. Essentially, a Samsung phone is going to be a plug zone for a device that a consumer would be wearing on their head. A phone will simply be the game/computer system equipped with the processing power to run the VR hardware. Cameras on the phone can even take advantage of the tech to be integrated into the VR headset.
Engadget makes it clear that there’s potential for a focus of media focus instead of gaming. That said, the device can use game pads and games are in development. No word on when either device is suppose to be introduced into the market was made. Both Oculus and Samsung are said to be in the early stages of this new technology.
Oculus Rift is making news since being bought by Facebook for $2 billion earlier in the year. Another partnership between Chuck E. Cheese and this Samsung announcement are placing the company into the mainstream media. Oculus started as a small company receiving crowd-funding from a highly successful Kickstarter campaign.
For more on the initial Samsung announcement, check out this past article. Also check out the video below for information about Oculus VR.