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Getting to know you: the robot assistant who can second-guess your every need
It's here – a world in which helper robots live with us, get us through the day, and yes, become our trusted friend. Science fiction is becoming science fact.
As sci-fi writer William Gibson has apparently noted: "The future is already here – it's just not very evenly distributed."
The demand for helper robots is booming, and academia, industry and the military are working overtime to meet the need as a whole new industry gains momentum.
The demand is fuelled by the existence of those boring, dirty and dangerous jobs that nonetheless need doing. Those low-paid jobs that are considered beneath human dignity today, at least in the developed world.
What better than a life-like robot to relieve us of this drudgery?
Good company
Of course, robots need to be good company if we are to have them in our lives, sharing our homes and workplaces, having them do things for us. And this requirement applies to all robots, not just the walking, talking ones, but also the artificial intelligence (AI) embedded in larger systems or on the web.
User-friendliness is achieved through natural speech and affective computing, which allows the AI to "get to know you" by recognising the cycles of your emotional states over time, inferring it from your tone of voice and body language.
The big names in the tech world, such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, are putting much effort into software that can understand language, known as chatbots, seeing them as the next big thing.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said at the Build conference in San Francisco in March that chatbots, or "conversations as a platform", are the next big thing in computing, as important as the shift to graphical user interfaces, the web browser and touchscreens.
A big claim, since many would argue that these have been important steps forward in the way humans interact with computers.
Chatbots have enormous potential to put computing resources within easy reach of non-technical users. You can use a chatbot to make an appointment, book your car in for a service, buy flowers for that special someone, arrange a holiday, find a place to live or explore your special interests.
All of these and much more become possible when you can simply ask for it to be done via a natural speech digital assistant.
In the guise of Microsoft's Cortana, Facebook's M, Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa etc, these smooth-talking chatbots will be the point of contact between you and the many worker bots.
They will be like a combined executive assistant and concierge, a trusted confidant that anticipates your needs and seamlessly coordinates the activities of the lower level agents as they go about their business in the cloud.
The poets of Silicon Valley
Creative writers are finding gainful employment these days in the world of high technology, as reported recently in theWashington Post.
Writers who once wrote screenplays and poems are now putting their talent toward creating likeable characters for chatbots and giving them cool things to say. The new breed of smart digital assistants look good, sound good and are backed by the latest AI.
With the trend towards integrated computing environments that gives people cross-platform access to their cloud-connected applications and data, it is reasonable to expect that your digital assistant will go with you when you put down one device and pick up another, or go from one location to another.
For example, when you leave home and get into the self-driving car that has been quietly charging its batteries from the solar panels on your roof, the same digital assistant that you were interacting with in the home office becomes the voice of the car that you now give directions to.
On a particular day of the week, knowing that you normally go to the office at this time on that day, the car asks in an appropriate conversational tone if that's where you are headed, like any good chauffeur might.
The following week, you jump in the car and tell it to take you to work, but the digital assistant reminds you that you have a doctor's appointment in your schedule and should we go there instead?
On the way to your appointment, you review and send several emails that the assistant has drafted. You also have time to dictate content on a proposal, with help from your research assistant-cum-driver.
The idea of intelligent, natural speech assistants will still likely go through the four stages of idea acceptance outlined by British geneticist John Burdon Sanderson Haldane:
this is worthless nonsensethis is an interesting, but perverse point of viewthis is true, but quite unimportantand finally – I always said so!
In five or ten years, when we have got over our scepticism and become reliant upon our digital assistants, we will wonder how we ever got along without them.
Samsung Smart TV System 2014 Review
Introduction
Until late, Samsung has been the undisputed kings in the realms of Smart TV platforms but this year they are under serious assault.
Not least from their countrymen, LG, who seem set to revolutionise the market with their webOS platform. But there are other threats including an Android TV due from Philips and if the Roku platform ever does hit TVs in the UK market – as it is doing in some other regions - then everyone has a fight on their hands.
So, with the competition getting closer than ever, what has Samsung got up their sleeves to remain at the top of the pack? For reference, this review was undertaken using the HU8500 and HU7500 4K TVs which are clearly premium sets but most of the major features trickle down the ranges so let’s see if the best has got any better.
Smart Hub Interface
The first apparent change from last year’s UI hits you as soon as you boot up a 2014 TV. By default, a Smart Hub shortcut and a selection of most used apps and services, running in a card style across the bottom, will greet you, although you can switch them off in the menus. We have to say the shortcut tiles bare more than a stylistic resemblance to LG’s new webOS interface but it looks good nevertheless.
Samsung has slightly refined their Smart Hub pages from five down to four but we think they could possibly have streamlined even further. There are separate pages dedicated to Samsung Apps, Films and TV Shows, Multimedia and a new Games Page. Each of the pages then has some further options to refine the categorisations further so, for example, on the Films and TV Shows page, one can drill down to Featured content, look at some Trailers or browse more specifically on either Movies or TV Shows.
Samsung has slightly refined their Smart Hub pages from five down to four but we think they could possibly have streamlined even further. There are separate pages dedicated to Samsung Apps, Films and TV Shows, Multimedia and a new Games Page. Each of the pages then has some further options to refine the categorisations further so, for example, on the Films and TV Shows page, one can drill down to Featured content, look at some Trailers or browse more specifically on either Movies or TV Shows.
Overall, it’s a clean and well-presented look but perhaps there was no real need to give Games their own dedicated area, although we do understand that Samsung is pushing this content more heavily in 2014.
Control Options
You’ve all seen a standard TV remote control and it’s clear that Samsung would rather you shun the ones they supply in favour of their newly-designed ‘Smart Control’ handset and, you know what, for day to day operations we almost could, had they made accessing the standard menus using it a more straightforward process. As it is, you have to access an on-screen replica of the standard remote to do so, which is more of a chore than it really should be. That said, if you’re not a regular tinkerer in the menus, this won’t be a concern and it does provide many other benefits.
The biggest improvement for 2014 comes in the Wii-like gesture control which is very accurate and easy to use. Wafting the Smart Control at the TV when the various UI’s are on screen conjours up a beacon of light, allowing you to track your navigation process easily and a click on the scroll pad access the apps or functions. You can also use said control pad in much the same fashion if you’re not able/can’t be bothered to get easy line of sight to the TV but it’s not as quick as the motion control.
The biggest improvement for 2014 comes in the Wii-like gesture control which is very accurate and easy to use. Wafting the Smart Control at the TV when the various UI’s are on screen conjours up a beacon of light, allowing you to track your navigation process easily and a click on the scroll pad access the apps or functions. You can also use said control pad in much the same fashion if you’re not able/can’t be bothered to get easy line of sight to the TV but it’s not as quick as the motion control.
For the first time, last year, we saw a reason to get excited about voice control and Samsung has improved it further in 2014. For instance, launching an app is as easy as pressing the voice button on the Smart Control and uttering the words, ‘Launch Netflix (xyz app) and you should find it loads up within seconds. Or, for a more general approach, say the words ‘Action Movie’ and a whole load of choices will pop up at the bottom of the screen for further investigation. In truth there’s almost nothing you can’t do with the voice controls, including launching the Menu, changing channel, searching the web and even installing apps so it warrants you taking the included tutorial to find out more but we have to say, it is truly excellently implemented.
The very high-end Samsung TVs also come with a built-in camera. It’s definitely an improvement over last year’s in terms of handling poorly lit rooms and is very effective in providing a great platform for the built-in Skype App. The camera also affords the opportunity for hand and finger gesture control, but we have to say we’re still not sold on the idea of that in practice and it’s not as reliable as the motion or voice controls in any case. For those TVs that don’t come with the camera built-in/on, which is most of them, there is a separate USB add-on available but we wouldn’t recommend its purchase based on the gesture controls, alone.
The very high-end Samsung TVs also come with a built-in camera. It’s definitely an improvement over last year’s in terms of handling poorly lit rooms and is very effective in providing a great platform for the built-in Skype App. The camera also affords the opportunity for hand and finger gesture control, but we have to say we’re still not sold on the idea of that in practice and it’s not as reliable as the motion or voice controls in any case. For those TVs that don’t come with the camera built-in/on, which is most of them, there is a separate USB add-on available but we wouldn’t recommend its purchase based on the gesture controls, alone.
A smart controller you'll actually want to use
Mobile App
SmartView 2.0 is what you’ll need to be seeking out in the Apple App Store or on Google Play for the 2014 range of Smart TVs and it’s great. The app breaks down in to three main areas of functionality encompassing casting content, watching channels from Freesat or Freeview and as a remote control substitute. For reference, we tested using an iPad 4 as Samsung heavily restricts the number of Android devices able to run it. In fact, support is limited to Galaxy S Smartphones – 3 series and above, Galaxy Tab 3 and above plus Galaxy Note 2 and up. We can understand Samsung’s wish to ensure a smooth experience on Android but we feel they could have been more generous in device support to at least include the Nexus ranges and other premium mobile devices from the big players.
But it does work extremely well, in all facets, so we guess we can’t be too critical of their approach. Casting video, photo or audio content from your tablet or smartphone really couldn’t be simpler and it’s just a case of accessing the type of content you want from a tab at the top and then adding it to a queue on the right hand side of the screen, tapping Play on TV and away you go.
But it does work extremely well, in all facets, so we guess we can’t be too critical of their approach. Casting video, photo or audio content from your tablet or smartphone really couldn’t be simpler and it’s just a case of accessing the type of content you want from a tab at the top and then adding it to a queue on the right hand side of the screen, tapping Play on TV and away you go.
Provided you’re currently tuned to the Freeview or Freesat input it’s also possible to view channels from around the house and, if you have a dual tuner model, you’re not limited to what’s currently showing on the TV either, which is a genuinely useful option which adds real value to the second-screen experience. Given how good the new Smart Control is we’re not sure how many will opt to use the remote control functionality but it works well enough and for those that simply can’t put down their phone or tablet, it will prove popular.
Soundshare takes away the HDMI agony
Anynet and Soundshare
Almost every manufacturer includes their own implementation of HDMI Consumer Electronic Control (HDMI CEC), these days and with Samsung it goes under the name Anynet+. HDMI CEC is designed to allow the user to command and control other CEC-enabled devices that are connected through HDMI by using only one of their remote controls. For example one could use the transport controls on the TV remote to control a Blu-ray player, which is quite convenient and potentially cuts down on the number of handsets lying around.
The reality of the above is that all the manufacturers implement CEC in their own ways which can cause genuine grief when say you’re operating a LG Soundbar with a Samsung TV. We recently covered the LG NB5540 used in conjunction with the Samsung TVs noted above, and they just didn’t play nice together so we’d have to renegotiate the Anynet connection with the soundbar each time it was switched on in order it would all work together as expected.
A great a solution to this kind of nightmare scenario – and one we’re sure Samsung would love you to pursue – is to team up a Samsung audio product and TV using their SoundShare technology. Basically it’s a proprietary wireless communication protocol that enables all the behaviour we’d expect with HDMI CEC and ARC (Audio Return Channel) but without any of the frustrating fuss. So you power on the TV, on comes the soundbar and out comes the sound and you are then able to control the soundbar with the TVs remote. It’s seamless, cuts down and wires and will meet with the approval of the less tech savvy members of the house. It’s a shame there’s no cross manufacturer support but then we guess we’d be back to the HDMI CEC shambles its designed to avoid if there were.
The reality of the above is that all the manufacturers implement CEC in their own ways which can cause genuine grief when say you’re operating a LG Soundbar with a Samsung TV. We recently covered the LG NB5540 used in conjunction with the Samsung TVs noted above, and they just didn’t play nice together so we’d have to renegotiate the Anynet connection with the soundbar each time it was switched on in order it would all work together as expected.
A great a solution to this kind of nightmare scenario – and one we’re sure Samsung would love you to pursue – is to team up a Samsung audio product and TV using their SoundShare technology. Basically it’s a proprietary wireless communication protocol that enables all the behaviour we’d expect with HDMI CEC and ARC (Audio Return Channel) but without any of the frustrating fuss. So you power on the TV, on comes the soundbar and out comes the sound and you are then able to control the soundbar with the TVs remote. It’s seamless, cuts down and wires and will meet with the approval of the less tech savvy members of the house. It’s a shame there’s no cross manufacturer support but then we guess we’d be back to the HDMI CEC shambles its designed to avoid if there were.
EPG & PVR
The dual tuner equipped models in the Samsung TV ranges offer a genuine alternative to a dedicated PVR with just the addition of a USB hard drive. The Freeview EPG is reasonably attractive although we did prefer the older versions and it offers a 7 channel/two hour view by default. There’s also a handy timeline, in blue, to show you where you are at that moment. To schedule a recording or watch timer, is a simple as hitting the OK button and selecting the appropriate option and to access recordings, it’s just a case of going to the Multimedia page in the Smart Hub.
Samsung recommends an HDD with a minimum speed of 5400rpm and we’d suggest utilising the USB 3.0 compatible port for best results. You will need to format the drive using the TVs software in the System menu which then makes the recordings viewable on that TV, and that TV only as it will apply a form a Digital Rights Management (DRM) to make them unplayable on other devices for copyright reasons. As well as the option of recording programming, users can also timeshift – pause/rewind/fast forward content but it must be stressed that it will only work from the internal tuners and not with connected external equipment like a Sky Box, for example.
MHL 3.0 adds support for 4k phones & tablets
Applications - Hardware
The majority of Samsung 2014 TVs feature built-in Wi-Fi making it very easy to connect to your home network with support for the IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n standards. Most Samsung TVs also now feature support for the Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL), an industry standard for a mobile audio/video interface that directly connects smartphones and tablets to HDTVs. And the new 4K TVs all support MHL 3.0 which includes support for resolutions up to 2160p at 30 frames per second so if you’re short of something to watch, you can always provide your own UHD content.
Multimedia
From this new page you can access all your photos, videos, music and recorded TV from whichever device is connected but the page is actually dominated by suggested content from the internet which we don’t really feel is necessary. It’s at the bottom where you can access network devices, USB storage and cloud services and we really think they should have been given more prominence. Still, you can’t complain about the wide-ranging file type support of the media player and it played literally everything we threw at it in terms of video files but music and photo support is also more extensive than most.
Samsung’s own software, AllShare, runs on a number of their devices including PCs, TVs, smartphones, tablets and cameras and allows for a fairly seamless sharing of music, video and photos between them through your home network. For instance, with an android smartphone it’s easily possible to browse your media files through a TV and there is also Dual View and Screen Mirroring with Samsung devices. AllShare isn’t limited to interaction with Samsung products, either, and will happily talk to DLNA media servers but there’s no doubt you’ll see more benefits from it should you own multiple devices from the Korean’s where a nice eco-system can be built
Apps & Games
When it comes to VoD (Video on Demand) services, Samsung has virtually all the major services tied down. At the time of writing curiously that didn’t include BBC iPlayer but we’re assured that is on its way and it will join ITV Player, 40D and Demand 5 is providing as comprehensive set of catch-up services as is available in the UK right now. To those one can add paid-for streaming apps including Netflix, Wuaki TV, Amazon Instant and the ubiquitous everything-ness which is YouTube.
Speaking of Netflix – and we’re fond of doing just that –the HU8500 review gave us our first chance of steaming their new Ultra HD catalogue and we must say the experience was seamless and almost instantly reached the 2160 HD resolution, even on a fairly modest – but generally stable – 20Mb broadband connection. We gave our thoughts on the picture quality in the review but the short version would be that House of Cards is at least Blu-ray quality and well beyond that of any streaming we’ve seen before. Roll on 4K Breaking Bad coming in June 2014.
Speaking of Netflix – and we’re fond of doing just that –the HU8500 review gave us our first chance of steaming their new Ultra HD catalogue and we must say the experience was seamless and almost instantly reached the 2160 HD resolution, even on a fairly modest – but generally stable – 20Mb broadband connection. We gave our thoughts on the picture quality in the review but the short version would be that House of Cards is at least Blu-ray quality and well beyond that of any streaming we’ve seen before. Roll on 4K Breaking Bad coming in June 2014.
We’ve yet to play a really compelling game directly through a Smart TV platform but Samsung has evidently been putting in some work to rectify that situation. That’s not to say that the games available are going to rival even a last gen console in terms of graphics or gameplay but the fact most are optimised to work with the Smart Control and, moreover, are free is a genuine plus. We quite enjoyed a few games of Sky Chaser and Running Dog but we’re still not sure the games merit their own page and we’ve placed them accordingly within the review.
Netflix 4K is the new benchmark in streaming quality
Web Browsing
As per the general gaming experience built in to a TV, we’ve never really been taken with using one for a web browser. That’s primarily because navigation has generally been a chore – with whatever control input method – but also because a large screen TV, by nature, also slower to flit about upon. There’s nothing that can really been done about the latter issue and we still think casting of content, as and when something is worth sharing on the living room TV is the way to go, but at least the Smart Control addresses the former issue in meaningful fashion.
The Samsung Browser, itself, is very good and incredibly quick to load pages – at least on the higher tier models we tested it with - and it’s compatible with HTML5 so you won’t struggle to see the full content of most web pages you’ll visit. We even found that majority of embedded video we found dotted around the internet would play, which is a major step up from most TV browsers.
There are options to zoom pages, set bookmarks and home pages and review your browsing history, which really speeds things up for those frequently visited sites. It’s even possible to have a tabbed browsing experience by means of opening new windows that are accessible from the top right of the page. The browser also includes PIP which means you can watch something and browse at the same time. As we said above, it’s still not our first choice for internet surfing, and likely never will be, but at least it’s now a flexible and fluid option.
The Samsung Browser, itself, is very good and incredibly quick to load pages – at least on the higher tier models we tested it with - and it’s compatible with HTML5 so you won’t struggle to see the full content of most web pages you’ll visit. We even found that majority of embedded video we found dotted around the internet would play, which is a major step up from most TV browsers.
There are options to zoom pages, set bookmarks and home pages and review your browsing history, which really speeds things up for those frequently visited sites. It’s even possible to have a tabbed browsing experience by means of opening new windows that are accessible from the top right of the page. The browser also includes PIP which means you can watch something and browse at the same time. As we said above, it’s still not our first choice for internet surfing, and likely never will be, but at least it’s now a flexible and fluid option.
Smart Evolution Kit & One Connect
And if you’re sat there reading this review from in front of your 2012 or 2013 Samsung Smart TV with slight envy, you might want to avail yourself of all the latest features by investing in the Smart Evolution Kit which will come in two guises for 2014. The first is a simple plug-in TV card/module whilst the other – specifically tailored for the Ultra HD TVs – comes in the form of the One Connect Box.
One Connect is an essential upgrade for 2013 owners
The new Evolution Kit will add Samsung’s 2014 Smart TV platform, an enhanced Quad Core Pro processor and the new Multiscreen feature, with support also added for the new motion controls on the new remote. The One Connect Box adds all that plus HEVC decoding up to 4K in 60 fps – for your Ultra HD Netflix, HDCP 2.2 compatibility MHL 3.0 and USB 3.0. The standard evolution kit has yet to receive pricing or a release date, at the time of writing, but we can testify the One Connect box works perfectly and we’d consider it an essential upgrade for you real early adopters.
Samsung Gear VR Review
Explaining virtual reality in writing to a layman may prove to be quite a task. It is something best experienced and differentiated when someone actually puts on a VR headset. Google was among the first to make the attempt to help VR headsets reach masses through its Cardboard, couple of years back. But it couldn't tickle consumer interests in India.
The cheap paper cardboard headset, priced under Rs 200, was just a step towards virtual reality. While several improved versions of the original Google Cardboard appeared, including the Lenovo ANT VR headset, Samsung's Gear VR headset is the only real deal in the country.
The Lenovo K4 Note and ANT VR combo should not be considered as a cheaper replacement for the Gear VR combo. It is nowhere close.
The Gear VR gives a mere glimpse of the myriad possibilities and makes a silent statement that a proper VR headset is way more than just another Google Cardboard rip-off.
Priced at Rs 8,200, the Gear VR is compatible only with flagship Samsung Galaxy smartphones -- S6, S6 edge, S6 edge plus, S7, S7 edge and Note 5.
Getting a flagship Galaxy smartphone and Gear VR combo may appear as an expensive option, but Samsung ensures you get the value for the money you pay. After playing with the Gear VR for some time, here is our review.
Design
The Gear VR offers a perfect fit for all compatible Galaxy smartphones. The build quality of the headset is good and is comfortable to wear. It can be also worn with regular glasses. This VR headset is completely wireless and comes with a built-in navigation touchpad, volume rockers and focus ring to adjust depth.
The lens are of good quality but given our hot and humid weather, expect it to get misty and oily. The Gear VR alone is lightweight but the weight of the smartphone attached to it adds up. However, the straps does a good job in balancing the weight and keeping the headset stable with minimal wobble.
This headset is not something exactly portable for good reasons. It is always better to experience virtual reality in the safety of one's room.
Setup
Setup is very easy. After installing Gear VR Oculus app, the smartphone needs to be placed inside the Gear VR by connecting it to the charging port. Once connected, the Oculus app starts automatically and its homepage greets the user. The navigation touchpad along with the back button on the right side is all that users have got to explore. Initially, if the view is unclear, the focus needs to be adjusted by using the ring on top.
Content: Limited free
Oculus store has some quality-free VR content which will easily impress any first-time user. For seamless experience, a high-speed Wi-Fi connection is a must. However, if connectivity is a problem, users can also play regular videos and movies (stored in their phones) to get an immersive experience and a feeling of a personal theatre. It is difficult to watch a full movie using the VR and it is not advisable either on a daily basis.
VR content is expensive. Once the free games and videos are already viewed, there is very little motivation to pay to experience more. Also, most content will be a one-time watch.
On the gaming front, the biggest surprise stored for first-time users is Temple Run. Playing most popular Temple Run game on the Gear VR is a different story altogether. The experience is extraordinary, however, within just 15 minutes, it feels nauseating.
Overall, Gear VR is the only and best option currently. And it stands by the promise of showing the future.
Performance and battery
The Gear VR feeds on the smartphone's battery. Users can also plug a charging cable to the headset to avoid draining battery of the smartphone. A maximum of 15% to 20% battery drainage on the phone can be expected from 30 minutes of Gear VR usage. Also, expect the smartphone to heat up badly.
Verdict
The Gear VR is a luxury for flagship Samsung smartphone users which they shouldn't miss out. It truly brings out more value from these high-end phones. If you already own a compatible phone or is planning to get one then definitely buy the Gear VR. However, buying a Samsung flagship for the Gear VR alone doesn't make sense.
While the Gear VR has everything to woo any user, the challenge here is that they will get bored very easily. And for most, the headset will find its place in some shelf, accumulating dust.
For those who do not intend to buy a Samsung flagship, the good old Google Cardboard (and its rip-offs) is still the best bet.
The cheap paper cardboard headset, priced under Rs 200, was just a step towards virtual reality. While several improved versions of the original Google Cardboard appeared, including the Lenovo ANT VR headset, Samsung's Gear VR headset is the only real deal in the country.
The Lenovo K4 Note and ANT VR combo should not be considered as a cheaper replacement for the Gear VR combo. It is nowhere close.
The Gear VR gives a mere glimpse of the myriad possibilities and makes a silent statement that a proper VR headset is way more than just another Google Cardboard rip-off.
Priced at Rs 8,200, the Gear VR is compatible only with flagship Samsung Galaxy smartphones -- S6, S6 edge, S6 edge plus, S7, S7 edge and Note 5.
Getting a flagship Galaxy smartphone and Gear VR combo may appear as an expensive option, but Samsung ensures you get the value for the money you pay. After playing with the Gear VR for some time, here is our review.
Design
The Gear VR offers a perfect fit for all compatible Galaxy smartphones. The build quality of the headset is good and is comfortable to wear. It can be also worn with regular glasses. This VR headset is completely wireless and comes with a built-in navigation touchpad, volume rockers and focus ring to adjust depth.
The lens are of good quality but given our hot and humid weather, expect it to get misty and oily. The Gear VR alone is lightweight but the weight of the smartphone attached to it adds up. However, the straps does a good job in balancing the weight and keeping the headset stable with minimal wobble.
This headset is not something exactly portable for good reasons. It is always better to experience virtual reality in the safety of one's room.
Setup
Setup is very easy. After installing Gear VR Oculus app, the smartphone needs to be placed inside the Gear VR by connecting it to the charging port. Once connected, the Oculus app starts automatically and its homepage greets the user. The navigation touchpad along with the back button on the right side is all that users have got to explore. Initially, if the view is unclear, the focus needs to be adjusted by using the ring on top.
Content: Limited free
Oculus store has some quality-free VR content which will easily impress any first-time user. For seamless experience, a high-speed Wi-Fi connection is a must. However, if connectivity is a problem, users can also play regular videos and movies (stored in their phones) to get an immersive experience and a feeling of a personal theatre. It is difficult to watch a full movie using the VR and it is not advisable either on a daily basis.
VR content is expensive. Once the free games and videos are already viewed, there is very little motivation to pay to experience more. Also, most content will be a one-time watch.
On the gaming front, the biggest surprise stored for first-time users is Temple Run. Playing most popular Temple Run game on the Gear VR is a different story altogether. The experience is extraordinary, however, within just 15 minutes, it feels nauseating.
Overall, Gear VR is the only and best option currently. And it stands by the promise of showing the future.
Performance and battery
The Gear VR feeds on the smartphone's battery. Users can also plug a charging cable to the headset to avoid draining battery of the smartphone. A maximum of 15% to 20% battery drainage on the phone can be expected from 30 minutes of Gear VR usage. Also, expect the smartphone to heat up badly.
Verdict
The Gear VR is a luxury for flagship Samsung smartphone users which they shouldn't miss out. It truly brings out more value from these high-end phones. If you already own a compatible phone or is planning to get one then definitely buy the Gear VR. However, buying a Samsung flagship for the Gear VR alone doesn't make sense.
While the Gear VR has everything to woo any user, the challenge here is that they will get bored very easily. And for most, the headset will find its place in some shelf, accumulating dust.
For those who do not intend to buy a Samsung flagship, the good old Google Cardboard (and its rip-offs) is still the best bet.
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