"Samsung Gear VR," a new virtual reality headset Samsung Electronics has begun selling recently, is showing strong signs of a smash hit. In major American retail outlets such as Amazon and Best Buy, the VR headset has been sold out within only 10 days after launch.
According to TechCrunch, a U.S. technology media outlet, said on November 23 that Samsung Gear VR was "temporarily out of stock" or "sold out on online stores" in major online and brick-and-mortar stores. Starting on November 10, Samsung kicked off preorder sale of the headset, followed by full-fledged sale on the 20th.
The Gear VR headset allows the wearer to experience 3D games and movies in conjunction with Samsung's latest smartphone models. It shows the user a 360-degree view virtual reality as if the user is in the midst of the make-believe reality. Samsung Electronics started selling two models of "Samsung Gear VR innovator Edition" from late last year and early this year. The recently launched model, intended for the consumer market, took out the wording "innovator Edition" from the name. It will be made available before this weekend in Korea.
The biggest draw for the latest edition is its price, only a half of the previous editions from $199 to $99. The range of compatible smartphone models has widened too, including the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. The number of available games and movies is almost 100, with the weight of the head gear 20 percent lighter than before. The Gear VR headset was developed jointly with Oculus, a VR developer acquired by Facebook.
