It isn’t often than technical innovations get a second chance, but virtual reality is one of them. After a poor showing first time round in the 1990s, the new generation of VR looks set to become much more successful.

One of the leaders in this new charge is the Samsung Gear VR, which was developed in conjunction with Oculus and delivers a fully operational virtual reality headset. At first glance, it’s a little underwhelming to behold: just a simple white plastic unit that fits over your eyes with a strap and a couple of lenses. Only when you attach a phone to it and boot it up does it impress.

Other versions of VR will cost thousands and require a pretty decent computer to run them. Samsung Gear VR on the other hand doesn’t. It’s cheap and will connect to a phone. You will need a compatible phone though, something like the Samsung Galaxy 6, to get the most out of it. Add some headphones and a game controller and you’re set.

Connect your phone to the headset and you should see an image right away. The trackpad that comes with it helps control what you see while a game controller will help with games.

The one thing you won’t be short of is things to experience once you strap it on. Considering the Samsung Gear VR has only just launched the mobile version and the desktop version isn’t out until next year, there is a lot of content out there for it. Content, not just games, and that’s important.

The current crop of games is good and will hook a lot of users, but there is much more for the Samsung Gear VR. You can watch immersive videos from Vimeo and Twitch, dozens of movies and even some Netflix shows, all of which are available through the Oculus Store.

Samsung Gear VR is a solid piece of hardware that brings virtual reality to the masses. The current crop of games and other content ensures that even early adopters have plenty to experience. I think this generation of virtual reality is really going somewhere and Samsung Gear VR will be at the forefront of it.

Jesmond Darmanin is a technology enthusiast who has his own blog at www.itnewsblog.com.

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