Category: Samsung Gear 360 (2017)

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New Samsung Gear 360 Price and Release Date Announced

During Samsung’s Unpacked event in March the company revealed the latest iteration of its 360-degree camera, the Gear 360. The unveiling was followed by a full spec rundown for the new device but details on cost and release date were still being kept quiet. Today, that information has been released seeing the camera retail for $229 USD/ £219 GBP and set to arrive tomorrow.

The 2016 model as seen a complete redesign, with the removable tripod now replaced by a fixed grip for recording. The major technological inclusion for the 2017 model is the addition of video recording at up to 4K resolution, as well as 15MP high resolution images.

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The camera is compatible with the following Samsung devices: Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S7 active, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6, and Galaxy S6 edge. It is also compatible with iPhone 7, 7+, 6S, 6S+, SE running iOS 10.0 or later.

“The new Gear 360 is breaking down barriers of time and distance by allowing users to shoot, edit, view and share 360-degree video from the palm of their hands,” said Justin Denison, senior vice president, Product Strategy and Marketing at Samsung Electronics America. “We are extending our smartphone-powered VR ecosystem, and helping users connect worldwide to create the future of storytelling with sharable, immersive experiences that transport viewers to new places.”

The Samsung Gear 360 will be available for US customers in-store and online at Best Buy and BestBuy.com, Amazon.com, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon and U.S. Cellular, Samsung.com, and through the ShopSamsung app. Those in the UK will need to head to Samsung.com or Amazon.co.uk.

A limited time offer is also available for those wishing to upgrade their smartphones. Between 25th May to 19th June 2017, customers who buy a Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ will be able to purchase the new Gear 360 for $49.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Gear 360, reporting back

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Life In 360°: Blood’s Musical Flow

Last week on VRFocus we brought you news of British rock duo Royal Blood who livestreamed a special one-off gig in 360 degrees as part of Samsung’s Live 360 series.

The performance was apparently not particularly long according to comments we received, but the footage from the event, captured at the Collins Music Hall in Islington, London and premiering the music from their next album How Did We Get So Dark? has now been put up on the Royal Blood YouTube channel. You can see it below.

Royal Blood formed in Brighton in 2013, releasing their first eponymous album in August 2014 following an EP Out Of The Black in March that year. Their efforts netting them awards from the Brits, Kerrang! and NME in 2015. How Did We Get So Dark? is set to be released on 16th June 2017.

VRFocus will be back next week with another trio of visits to Life In 360°.

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New Samsung Gear 360 Broadens Support to Include Apple Devices

Fans of South Korean technology giant Samsung have been inundated with new tech to salivate over today, with the official unveiling of the flagship Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus smartphones. Also featuring at the Unpacked event earlier was the new Gear 360 model for 2017, with a new design and improved features. One of these is support for smartphones, with Apple devices now included.

To enable more consumers to have access to the new Gear 360, Samsung has ensured that it runs on a massive range of smartphones, mostly its own, but Apple users can now join in the 360 fun.

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Samsung states on the camera’s dedicated page that: “Compatible devices include Galaxy S8, S8+ S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6 edge+, S6, S6 edge, A5/A7(2017) running Android 5.0 or later, and iPhone 7, 7+, 6S, 6S+, SE running iOS 10.0 or later.” Also noted – but not detailed – is: “There are functional limitations when using with iOS devices. Availability of features may differ depending on the mobile device, OS version, and region.”

The new camera now features a 4K resolution for shooting videos and stills are captured at 15MP. In terms of storage the device accepts up to a maximum 256 GB SD memory card with a top battery life of 130-minutes when recording at 2560×1280@30fps.

As yet no prices or release date have been confirmed but Samsung has said an April/May time frame is expected and it will be cheaper than last years model, which retailed for $350 USD/£350 GBP, reports cnet.

As further details are announced VRFocus will bring you the latest.

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New Samsung Gear 360 Unveiled, Now Shoots in 4K

Samsung Unpacked has now begun, with the company already details masses of new virtual reality (VR) news including the price and release date for the new Gear VR controller and more. Now its the turn of Gear 360, Samsung’s consumer camera for record 360-degree video. Today a new Gear 360 camera has been unveiled, showcasing a new form factor and features.

The Gear 360 (2017) now comes in a far more hand friendly design, disposing with last years tripod model for an easy to hold grip.

It’s not just the outside that Samsung has changed, it now comes packed with loads of new features. The biggest addition is that of 4K resolution recording. Also include is the ability to live stream, all controlled with the Samsung Gear 360 app.

The device accepts up to a maximum 256 GB SD memory card with up to 130-minute battery capacity when recording at 2560×1280@30fps.

No details have yet been released on price or availability, but when they are VRFocus will let you know.

Gear 360 Camera Specs:

Camera:

CMOS 8.4MP x2 / F2.2 lens (Default output pixel count equivalent to 15MP)Dual Lens Mode, Single Lens Mode (Front/Rear) Video, Photo,Time lapse, Video looping, Landscape HDR EV, Sharpness, White Balance, HDR, Wind Cut, ISO Limit (up to 1600) Horizontal Correction, Geo Tagging (via Smartphone)

Still Capturing (Max Resolution) 360˚ Dual Lens: up to 15MP (5472 x 2736), Single Lens: up to 3MP (2304 x 1296), Format: JPEG

Video:

Video Recording (Max Resolution)360˚ Dual Lens: up to 4096 x 2048 (24fps)
Single Lens: up to 1920 x 1080 (60fps)
Codec: MP4 (H.265)

Recording time: Up to 130 mins (2560 x 1280 / 30fps)

Performance:

Battery – 1,160mAh