Samsung's Gear 360 VR camera will launch later this month

Expect to see this new device alongside the Galaxy S7 at MWC
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The Gear VR does a damn fine job of providing enough apps, experiences and games for anyone getting their first taste of mobile virtual reality. But Samsung is looking to expand its library of 360 degree video with its upcoming spherical camera, the Gear 360.

According to SamMobile, which has the scoop, the Gear 360 features two 180 degree fisheye lenses on its compact form factor and has the ability to switch between 360 and 180 degree video recording. It will shoot 3840 x 1920 footage in dual lens mode and 1920 x 1920 in single lens.

The Gear 360, a next gen version of Samsung's Project Beyond camera, is set to arrive alongside the Galaxy S7 at Samsung's Unpacked event on 21 February at MWC in Barcelona. We might also see some news around the Gear VR itself.

Samsung hinted at VR related announcements in the very short teaser video which features a Gear VR wearer grasping at a mysterious box. We don't know what that means but we will be there live at the event, reporting on the news and getting hands on time with any new wearable and VR devices.

The Gear 360 connected over Bluetooth to your smartphone - probably Galaxy phones only - and according to the leaked specs, we will be able to watch the live feed on the phone as it records which is pretty cool. We don't yet know if that phone can be inside a Gear VR, though.

There's still a few mysteries around the specs of the Gear 360. It has its own battery though we don't know how long it will be able to shoot for and we don't know the storage yet either. Settings include ISO, HDR, exposure and colour balance and features include panorama, looped video and time lapse.

We also don't know the price of the thing yet though we'd bet that Samsung is going to see this pretty cheap. We've seen a number of high end rigs using multiple GoPros but those are aimed at movie studios. The Gear 360 is more likely to pitched at the level of the $249 Luna camera.

Samsung's Gear 360 VR camera will launch later this month

TAGGED Samsung Cameras VR

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Sophie was Wareable's associate editor. She joined the team from Stuff magazine where she was an in-house reviewer. For three and a half years, she tested every smartphone, tablet, and robot vacuum that mattered. 

A fan of thoughtful design, innovative apps, and that Spike Jonze film, she is currently wondering how many fitness tracker reviews it will take to get her fit. Current bet: 19.

Sophie has also written for a host of sites, including Metro, the Evening Standard, the Times, the Telegraph, Little White Lies, the Press Association and the Debrief.

She now works for Wired.


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