Samsung partners with Oculus on virtual reality glasses

Samsung is said to have entered into a partnership with Oculus for the development of virtual reality glasses. Oculus is reportedly helping Samsung develop the software and user interface. In exchange, Oculus may purchase OLED panels from Samsung.

So says Engadget, who has extensive information about the partnership. Samsung would like to shorten development time by letting Oculus develop the software for its VR glasses. Oculus, which was recently acquired by Facebook, benefits from the deal by being the first to gain access to a new generation of OLED screens developed by Samsung with a resolution ‘higher than full HD’. He wants to use Oculus for his own VR glasses, which it has been developing for some time.

Specifically, Samsung will have exclusive access to an SDK for a while that makes the Oculus VR technology compatible with mobile operating systems. With the SDK, Samsung wants to build support for smartphones into its own VR glasses. This is necessary, because the device is more or less built as an accessory for a smartphone, Engadget writes. Users have to connect Samsung’s VR glasses to a smartphone, after which the image from the phone is transmitted.

With the VR glasses from Samsung, the user could, among other things, watch videos via the smartphone, or see the image through the smartphone camera on the VR glasses. Virtual reality gaming would also be possible, but Engadget claims the device is not primarily intended for playing games. For operation, the glasses listen to voice commands and physical buttons can be used.

According to the sources of Engadget, the development of Samsung’s VR glasses is still in an early phase. As a result, it is also unclear when the device will be released on the market and at what price. Oculus and Samsung declined to comment on Engadget’s information.

A mockup of Samsung’s VR glasses with smartphone support.