Samsung’s new Odyssey 3D monitor was a hit at CES earlier this year, showcasing a comfortable and immersive 3D gaming experience — all without the need for special glasses. But details were scarce.
Now, it’s being shown off again along with the new game announcements Gamescom to drum up more interest — and revealing some of the juicy details behind the tech.
According to the company, the Odyssey 3D monitor features a light field display (LFD) technology that is said to create lifelike 3D images from 2D content by using a lenticular lens on the front panel. Samsung says this special type of lens is what allows two different images to be projected to each eye, creating the illusion of 3D visuals.
Additionally, there is eye tracking that monitors the movement of both eyes using a built-in stereo camera, and view mapping can continuously adjust the image to enhance depth perception.
Samsung showed off the technology by using a life simulation game called “inZOI,” serving as an exclusive first preview of the game.
The Odyssey 3D monitor isn’t solely focused on its 3D capabilities. It’s equipped with a high refresh rate of up to 165Hz and 1ms response time, which are essential for delivering smooth and responsive gameplay, particularly in genres that demand quick reflexes.
Offered in 27-inch and 37-inch sizes, the new Odyssey 3D display also offers a high resolution of up to 4K, ensuring that 3D content is sharp and detailed. It also features an ergonomic design with a height adjustment stand with tilt capabilities, FreeSync Premium, DisplayPort 1.4, and two HDMI 2.1 ports.
While 3D gaming has struggled to gain mainstream traction, Samsung’s Odyssey 3D monitor could represent a turning point. It remains to be seen whether it will spark a revival of 3D gaming or if it will face the same challenges that have plagued 3D in the past.
By making 3D more comfortable and eliminating the need for glasses, this monitor may have the potential to rekindle interest in the technology among gamers. It’s worth noting that while the monitor’s 3D feature is its standout quality, it’s supported by a range of solid, if not groundbreaking, specs. The design is in line with Samsung’s usual sleek aesthetic, but the true test will be how well it performs in real-world gaming scenarios and how developers respond with content that leverages its capabilities.
The one detail missing from Samsung’s unveiling is any availability or pricing information. We’re still in the dark about that.
Notably, Samsung is not the only player when it comes to glasses-free 3D monitors. We got a glimpse of the Acer Predator SpatialLabs View 27 monitor at CES and Computex that can render 3D imagery using somewhat similar hardware technologies.
What sets that monitor apart from Samsung’s new monitors is a special program called the SpatialLabs TrueGame, which utilizes custom shaders and drivers to create unique 3D profiles. These profiles allow gamers to launch supported SpatialLabs TrueGame titles directly in 3D. The company has published an extensive list of games with 3D profiles on its website and promises to add more AAA and classic titles each month.
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.