The last thing you want is your phone blowing up on your face.
Oculus has pushed an update to the Galaxy Note 7 that disables the Oculus VR app on the device, preventing users from using the phone with a Samsung Gear VR headset.
Initially reported on Reddit, the forced Oculus update shows the following message:
Customer safety is Oculus’ top priority. Oculus is removing support for all Note7 devices on the Oculus platform. Until further notice, Note7 devices will not be compatible with the Gear VR. For more information regarding the Note7, please contact Samsung directly.
Gear VR is manufactured by Samsung, but powered by Oculus, placing much of the burden to limit users from using the VR headset on Oculus’ software. The Note 7’s battery has been deemed a fire hazard risk, even with replacement units, pushing Samsung to halt all sales of the device for now.
I guess we could have expected Oculus to eventually take these measures, but can only imagine how many disappointed/angry customers there are who purchased a Gear VR with their Note 7 and are left holding the bag. If you own a Note 7, its probably time to finally say goodbye.
The software updates don’t seem to be affecting other Gear VR compatible phones like the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, which were not part of the recall.
Image Credit: Panda_Turtle / Reddit
