Samsung’s future plans for virtual reality are mysterious to say the least, but some new trademarks uncovered today suggest it’s certainly up to something.
Back in April we reported that the Korean electronics giant was working on its very own mobile VR headset that would be independent of the device it previously released in partnership with Oculus, named Gear VR. We haven’t heard anything else of the new kit since then, but these new trademarks may have just given it a name and logo.
Dutch fansite Galaxy Club has uncovered three trademarks that were all filed last week and could well refer to the company’s upcoming device. The most obvious giveaway is a new logo for the term ‘VR‘, but filed on the same day was the term ‘Odyssey‘. Digging a bit deeper into it, the names’ designated goods section lists ‘wireless headsets’. It doesn’t state VR specifically but given its proximity to the VR logo, there’s a good chance the two are well linked.
The third image, a cube-like logo, also makes mention of headsets, though was filed a day after. It’s a little more difficult to tell if this is linked to the other two trademarks but it certainly seems like it could be.
These trademarks appear at an interesting time. Earlier this month we saw another listing that suggested the company was currently working on a new model of the Gear VR that would likely support the company’s upcoming smartphone, the Galaxy Note 7. The phone is set to be fully revealed at a new press event on August 2nd, but it’s anyone’s guess as to if VR will be at that show. The new Gear itself is expected to be a simple update that accommodates the new phone, which has a different type of USB port. It’s not likely we’ll see any major upgrades.
On top of that, Samsung has also confirmed it is making a phone that will support Google’s upcoming Daydream mobile VR ecosystem. Could Odyssey be Samsung’s own Daydream-ready headset? That certainly makes the most sense; it would be very strange for the company to start up a third mobile VR ecosystem to compete with the two it already supports.
If that’s the case, then Samsung could also be making a motion controller to go with the headset; every Daydream supported device must feature both. We’ll certainly keep our eyes peeled for any more hints.
