LG G3 and its VR headset
LG will bundle a free Google virtual reality headset with each G3 smartphone sold in an effort to gain traction in the nascent VR market.
The South Korean company’s VR for G3 is a version based on Google’s Cardboard, though it has been tailored to hold an LG G3.
Australia will be one of the select markets to take advantage of the promotion, a representative of LG Australia confirmed to Good Gear Guide.
LG Australia is finalising which local stockists will carry the VR for G3 headset, and it is aiming to have it in stores within the one month timeframe set by LG Global.
The release schedule will put VR for G3 in contention with Samsung’s Gear VR headset. Samsung’s Gear VR was developed by Oculus and acts as an accessory to the Galaxy Note 4. Samsung Australia confirmed the Gear VR goes on sale today online and from Samsung Experience stores for $249.
Samsung recently partnered with Qantas to make the Gear VR available on flights as part of a trial.
VR for G3
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The VR for G3 uses the 5.5-inch, 1440p display of the LG flagship to present immersive virtual reality content. Tailoring the headset specifically to LG’s smartphone means the rear buttons can be accessed and the amplified 1-watt speaker is unobstructed.
No hands are needed to scroll through menus when using the VR for G3. The G3’s magnetic gyroscope works with a neodymium ring magnet on the side of the VR headset.
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Games and applications can be downloaded from Google’s Play store. LG vice president and head of marketing communications, Chris Yie, said the partnership will help popularise virtual reality technology.
“This is just the beginning of the virtual reality movement which until recently was expensive and inaccessible to everyday consumers.
“By leveraging Google Cardboard, not only are regular consumers able to participate in the VR experience, we’ll be able to introduce this technology to future developers who may one day show us how VR can be used to improve our lives.”
