around with it for the past week and we’re going to tackle whether it’s just an incremental

step towards consumer virtual reality, or if the future is here...a bit early.

If you’re intrigued by this device, ask yourself what would I use this for?

For an immersive experience with content, including games, video and photos, the Gear

VR is right up your alley.

That said though, Gear VR IS the most portable virtual reality experience out there, it’s

still not something you’re going to wear for hours on end or break out in a bar to

check photos….yet.

As for high-end gamers, Gear VR might be a “light” version of your VR experience,

with a more powerful Oculus setup being your preference.

You’ll need one of these devices: Samsung’s Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+, or Note 5.

If you don’t have one already, and are in the market for a new Android device, now might

be the time to switch to Samsung.

Snapping your phone in for the first time might take a few tries, since it’s made

to fit four different phones, which vary in size.

Once you figure it out, you’re set and you slap it on your face and WARNING: you will

see this Oculus warning message every time you strap this on.

The key for this release is the content that’s available right away. Some are things you’ve

never done, some are enhancements on things you’re already doing. Both are pretty cool

and immersive.

Will you want to Netflix and Chill? Hulu and Hang? Climb mountainous landscapes? Jetpack

around a 3D-rendered city? Float around in space? Scuba dive? Shoot guns at tanks? Solve

a murder mystery? Watch an NBA game from courtside?

It’s all there waiting for you to try out in the Oculus Store.

The new Gear VR at 0.62 pounds feels much lighter than its predecessor, which weighed

around a pound. Since it’s lighter and has a bit more cushion for your face to rest on,

it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a huge pair of obnoxious goggles.

I wear glasses, so the extra room and sponginess is appreciated here. Honestly, most of the

weight you’ll feel is from the phone.

Samsung has made the trackpad easier to use...thank goodness, because in previous versions you

had no tactile feel as to what you were sliding towards, or tapping into.

I mean, it’s essential to the experience, even if you have an optional controller. So

far, I’ve noticed that I can hop in between apps much faster than before and with less

issues.

If your phone’s on a contract, you can easily stream content to the Gear VR from anywhere…

Enjoying the world around you is important, but picking this thing up to explore something

else isn’t exactly a pain. Since you’re completely untethered, you can throw it on

your head, check something out and take it off when you’re done. Just get yourself

a nice little bag to keep all of your accessories.

While it might seem awkward, and probably is at first, to be playing a game by yourself

in VR while your friend or significant other is sitting right there on the couch, passing

the headset back and forth is kind of fun. Like sharing what you see on your phone. Even

if you’re home alone, I highly suggest using some kind of headphones, because you lose

an important part of the immersive experience when you’re listening to the sound coming

out of your phone.

If you’re not worried about what other people think about you having a contraption on your

head, you might get lost in a fun 3D world and miss your stop.

Oops.

For VR, there’s a few different directions you can go.

If you’ve never tried an immersive experience, I suggest you pick up a Google Cardboard and

check out a video or photo. While it’s not “real VR,” it does give you a quick taste

of the sensation of blocking out the world around you to explore a new one.

The Gear VR is most certainly the next step up, and the Oculus Store rates content based

on what you like to do, or what you can tolerate. It does take time to “stomach” playing

a shoot-em-up game for 30 minutes or more. You can get a bit dizzy, so sitting down is

optimal.

At the end of the day, if you want to be able to freely roam around your world and jump

into a new one at any moment, Gear VR is for you.

Leave the cardboard, cables and monster PC at home.

The holidays are coming, and gifts that inspire imagination and creativity are always the

best ones. It’s $99, requires a Samsung phone which you can get on a contract and

will give you hours and hours of enjoyment….and the feeling of being in the future.