After tasting massive success with the launch of Samsung Gear 360 last year, the South Korean tech giant is all set to release a new edition of its spherical video camera, as indicated in a recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing on Wednesday.
The FCC filing reveals a new version of the camera bearing model name “SM-R210”. There is not much insight into what the specs and features will be. However, based on the listing’s 3D interpretation of the new Gear 360, we can presume that Samsung is working on an improved version which has a handle and a power button like a gun-trigger. The same 3D photo further suggests the new device will be smaller compared to the predecessor which stands at 45mm width.
Samsung Gear 360 was announced at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016 in February. Priced at $349, the accessory was hailed as one of the best consumer-grade 360-degree cameras in the market.
Highlights of the Gear 360
Gear 360 uses two ultra-wide 195-degree lenses to capture overlapping images, and uses phone’s processor to sew together impressive 360-degree photos and videos. The Gear 360 shoots sub-4K video at a 3840 x 1920 resolution. However, it is only compatible with Samsung’s newer versions of smartphones like the Galaxy S6/S7, S6/S7 Edge, S6 Edge+ and Note 5 phones, leaving out the rest of the Android and iOS users. On top of that, the editing is limited too as it is only compatible with a Windows-based editing software called Gear 360 Action Director made by Cyberlink.
On the downside, there were reports also of limited compatibility (with the smartphone and the editing software) and the Wi-Fi transfer rates being considerably slow.
With Samsung’s latest filing, those downsides can be overlooked. It is to be seen if the new Gear 360 will be launched alongside Samsung’s unveiling of flagship Galaxy S8 this March 29 in New York.