Alongside the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, Samsung, at the Galaxy Unpacked 2016 event, also announced the launch of the Gear 360 camera, a 360-degree camera with front and back lenses to stitch together 360-degree videos for VR devices and apps.
The Samsung Gear 360 is equipped with dual fisheye lenses, with both having 15 megapixel image sensors, giving users the ability to capture high-resolution (3840x1920) 360-degree video that also supports 30 megapixel still images.
As explained by the company, users will also able to shoot 180-degree wide angle videos and images with only using one side of the camera lens. "Built for any time of day, Gear 360 offers Bright Lens F2.0, which creates high resolution images even in low-light conditions, where users can create full panoramic videos," says Samsung.
The Gear 360 features is said to be compatible with a wider selection of accessories and mounts currently available on the market.
When Gear 360 is synced with a Samsung smartphone, users will be able to preview content in real time when recording. Also, Gear 360, as Samsung says, will automatically bring up filmed content for users to view and save on their smartphone or to upload and share directly on social channels including Google Street View.
The new Gear 360 camera is compatible with select Samsung smartphones including the newly released Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy Note
5, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6.
It will be available starting Q2 2016 in select countries.
VR is still in its early days, with much of the interest coming from hard-core gamers and tech pioneers. Samsung wants to make it easier for everyday people to create VR videos — so that friends will buy VR headsets to view them.
