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Samsung reveals Gear VR headset and Galaxy Edge smartphone | Samsung reveals Gear VR headset and Galaxy Edge smartphone |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Samsung has unveiled a virtual reality headset and a smartphone whose screen bends around one of its sides. | Samsung has unveiled a virtual reality headset and a smartphone whose screen bends around one of its sides. |
The new kit was revealed at the Ifa tech show in Berlin. | The new kit was revealed at the Ifa tech show in Berlin. |
In addition to the Gear VR and Galaxy Note Edge, the company also showed off the fourth standard version of its large-screened Note smartphone, which introduces an ultraviolet light sensor. | |
The announcements come at a time when Samsung Electronics is perceived to be on its back foot. | The announcements come at a time when Samsung Electronics is perceived to be on its back foot. |
In July the division reported a 20% year-on-year drop in its net profit and dozens of executives voluntarily agreed to return part of their bonuses. | In July the division reported a 20% year-on-year drop in its net profit and dozens of executives voluntarily agreed to return part of their bonuses. |
The company's smartphone market share fell from 32.2% in the April-to-June quarter of 2013 to 24.9% in the same period this year, according to research firm IDC, despite the fact it has one of the biggest ranges of handsets. | The company's smartphone market share fell from 32.2% in the April-to-June quarter of 2013 to 24.9% in the same period this year, according to research firm IDC, despite the fact it has one of the biggest ranges of handsets. |
By contrast, its Android rivals Lenovo, Huawei, Xiaomi and Motorola all made gains. | By contrast, its Android rivals Lenovo, Huawei, Xiaomi and Motorola all made gains. |
At Ifa, DJ Lee, Samsung Electronic's marketing chief, said his firm was "focused on accelerating the speed of innovation" and promised to "never slow down". | At Ifa, DJ Lee, Samsung Electronic's marketing chief, said his firm was "focused on accelerating the speed of innovation" and promised to "never slow down". |
The virtual reality headset is the result of an alliance with Facebook-owned Oculus and acts as an add-on for the Galaxy Note 4. | The virtual reality headset is the result of an alliance with Facebook-owned Oculus and acts as an add-on for the Galaxy Note 4. |
It uses the phone's 5.7in (14.5cm) screen and speakers, and adds a focal adjustment lens - allowing it to adjust for near and farsighted eyes - and a variety of sensors to track head movements. | It uses the phone's 5.7in (14.5cm) screen and speakers, and adds a focal adjustment lens - allowing it to adjust for near and farsighted eyes - and a variety of sensors to track head movements. |
The firm said the machine would offer a 96-degree field of view, giving an experience similar to looking at a giant 175in (4.4m) screen from two metres away. | The firm said the machine would offer a 96-degree field of view, giving an experience similar to looking at a giant 175in (4.4m) screen from two metres away. |
The Gear VR will be sold with a microSD card containing a small collection of 360-degree videos and virtual reality games. | The Gear VR will be sold with a microSD card containing a small collection of 360-degree videos and virtual reality games. |
Curved edge | Curved edge |
Samsung said the point of wrapping the screen of the Galaxy Note Edge around its side was to offer a new way to access frequently used apps and alerts, which would be useful at times when the rest of the screen was obscured by a protective cover. | Samsung said the point of wrapping the screen of the Galaxy Note Edge around its side was to offer a new way to access frequently used apps and alerts, which would be useful at times when the rest of the screen was obscured by a protective cover. |
It acts as a kind of scrollable dock or toolbar that can be controlled with a swipe of the thumb. | It acts as a kind of scrollable dock or toolbar that can be controlled with a swipe of the thumb. |
But one expert suggested the functions offered by the Gear VR and Galaxy Note Edge might take a while to reach their full potential. | But one expert suggested the functions offered by the Gear VR and Galaxy Note Edge might take a while to reach their full potential. |
"[The headset] is going to be a niche thing, simply because until there are great apps and games to take advantage of it, that kind of experience is not going to be a mainstream one," said Ian Fogg from the consultancy IHS. | "[The headset] is going to be a niche thing, simply because until there are great apps and games to take advantage of it, that kind of experience is not going to be a mainstream one," said Ian Fogg from the consultancy IHS. |
"Unlike previous curved screen smartphones, such as the LG Flex, the Galaxy Note Edge screen delivers practical benefits. But to maximise the utility, Samsung will need third-party app developers to support the edge display. | "Unlike previous curved screen smartphones, such as the LG Flex, the Galaxy Note Edge screen delivers practical benefits. But to maximise the utility, Samsung will need third-party app developers to support the edge display. |
"And because Samsung offers this display on just one handset, few app developers will choose to support it unless Samsung pays app developers to tailor their apps." | "And because Samsung offers this display on just one handset, few app developers will choose to support it unless Samsung pays app developers to tailor their apps." |
New Note | New Note |
Samsung appears to recognise that of its new devices, the Galaxy Note 4 is likely to be the bestseller, calling it the "hero of the day". | Samsung appears to recognise that of its new devices, the Galaxy Note 4 is likely to be the bestseller, calling it the "hero of the day". |
The phone is the same size as its predecessor, but now features a "quad HD" screen with 550 pixels per inch, meaning it should in theory present more detail than most of its rivals. | The phone is the same size as its predecessor, but now features a "quad HD" screen with 550 pixels per inch, meaning it should in theory present more detail than most of its rivals. |
Boosting screen resolution takes a toll on battery life, but the company was keen to promote that it had included "fast charging" technology. | |
It said the Note 4 would take about 30 minutes to bring its battery up to a 50% charge, versus a 55 minute wait for the Note 3. | It said the Note 4 would take about 30 minutes to bring its battery up to a 50% charge, versus a 55 minute wait for the Note 3. |
The company said other changes included: | The company said other changes included: |
The most unusual feature, however, is the inclusion of what Samsung says is the "world's first UV sensor in a mobile device". | The most unusual feature, however, is the inclusion of what Samsung says is the "world's first UV sensor in a mobile device". |
The component provides users with a built-in way to track their exposure to sunlight if they keep the device outside of their pocket or bag. | The component provides users with a built-in way to track their exposure to sunlight if they keep the device outside of their pocket or bag. |
However, Netatmo's June - a bracelet that wirelessly transmits UV levels to connected smartphones - may offer a more practical solution for consumers wanting this feature. | However, Netatmo's June - a bracelet that wirelessly transmits UV levels to connected smartphones - may offer a more practical solution for consumers wanting this feature. |
"I expect the Samsung Note 4 to stand out as an optimised and well-designed product leading in its phablet category, even though it was too early for it to ship with the forthcoming Android L version," commented Thomas Husson, mobile devices analyst at the tech research firm Forrester. | "I expect the Samsung Note 4 to stand out as an optimised and well-designed product leading in its phablet category, even though it was too early for it to ship with the forthcoming Android L version," commented Thomas Husson, mobile devices analyst at the tech research firm Forrester. |
"However, I think this is mostly an incremental change with too much of a focus on the feature and hardware specs. What is missing is a total experience on top of the device to really differentiate it in the interchangeable Android ecosystem." | "However, I think this is mostly an incremental change with too much of a focus on the feature and hardware specs. What is missing is a total experience on top of the device to really differentiate it in the interchangeable Android ecosystem." |
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