Samsung to do another round of Free Gear VR headsets (in the UK)

maskedweasel

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/m/a44df98b-3e78-379c-8ce5-106fcfddb137/ss_samsung-gives-away-new-gear.html

"It’s unclear what this promotion is in aid of, but it seems likely that Samsung is doing all it can to boost demand for its other smartphones while Galaxy Note 7 sales are on hold around the world. This particular offer is only available in the U.K. for now, however.

It’s valid from September 14 to October 5, 2016. To take advantage of it, you simply need to purchase a Galaxy S7 edge (not a regular Galaxy S7) from a participating retailer, then claim your new Gear VR headset from Samsung’s website “30-60 days after your purchase.”"

This is actually the 4th time they've done rounds of giving away these headsets.  The preorder,  the promotion following the preorder, one in the US in July and now this one in the UK.  

What I find most interesting is that the offer is valid up until October 5th when Google is launching its new Pixel Phone.  I suppose this is the big push leading up to the Pixel which will be googles first phone built to utilize Daydream.

Phaserlight

I almost feel gypped that I shelled out $99 for mine. 

Almost...

It's not that I feel the technology isn't worth the price tag of the headset. It is, and then some. However, it seems every time I turn around Samsung is doing one of these 'get one free' promotions. 

Of course, I wouldn't have been able to save by going with last year's S6 (which I actually preferentially chose in part due to its 64GB storage), so there is that. 

I'm happy to support the technology and don't regret the purchase in the least. I hope this will get Samsung's GearVR, and VR in general, some more exposure. 

maskedweasel

Well, one thing I will note is this is the newest gear version with the USB C connector.  It also is supposed to have some "upgrades"  in regards to experience but I have both sets and you barely notice any difference.  

As I have a Note 7 and they've been recalled I'm starting to think I might swap to the Pixel myself, but I have yet to get any specs, so I can't make a decision.  

SEANMCAD

Oculus was explicit more than once from my memory years ago when they said they do not plan to make money from the headsets but rather the content and content delivery and they said 'our plan is to get VR into as many hands as possible not making money from the hardware'

Now to be fair once Facebook acquired them that objective may have changed or even simply changed for reasons not related to Facebook however I have not heard them say anything to reverse those original statements.

Vrika

SEANMCAD said:

Now to be fair once Facebook acquired them that objective may have changed or even simply changed for reasons not related to Facebook however I have not heard them say anything to reverse those original statements.

They would not announce something like that, it would be too bad PR.

SEANMCAD

Vrika said:

SEANMCAD said:

Now to be fair once Facebook acquired them that objective may have changed or even simply changed for reasons not related to Facebook however I have not heard them say anything to reverse those original statements.

They would not announce something like that, it would be too bad PR.

I would agree however without any hint in action that it had changed I see no reason to not continue to assume the orginal comment is still true.

(aka if someone says they are going to the store and you see them driving in that direction unless you can think of another reason why they might have changed their mind its safe to say they are likely still going to the store)

maskedweasel

SEANMCAD said:

Vrika said:

SEANMCAD said:

Now to be fair once Facebook acquired them that objective may have changed or even simply changed for reasons not related to Facebook however I have not heard them say anything to reverse those original statements.

They would not announce something like that, it would be too bad PR.

I would agree however without any hint in action that it had changed I see no reason to not continue to assume the orginal comment is still true.

(aka if someone says they are going to the store and you see them driving in that direction unless you can think of another reason why they might have changed their mind its safe to say they are likely still going to the store)

The simple fact that Zuckerberg stated they required nearly 100 million units to be profitable and that they believed they would do so by next year states clearly that they expect the sets to make them profit. You've seen the quote several times, don't be willfully ignorant.

In fact, I don't think Oculus has released any software that you have to pay for at this point.  Who knows how much they're charging  development teams  per sale of their software on the Oculus store, but I would imagine they aren't charging much if anything, and it seems like everything goes on sale pretty regularly, so it's doubtful they're getting a large percentage.

SavageHorizon

I have the Samsung galaxy 7 edge,  I've had it for three months. I could of got the free VR but I chose the jawra wireless headphones for my gym and running. They have a pulse and heart monitor on. 

I'm getting the Sony VR so that's cool.