Samsung is leveraging its power in displays to form new alliances around the industry, most recently with Facebook and Intel.
The Korean giant is working with Intel to deliver cheaper 4K monitors for PCs, which the US firm says will encourage users to upgrade larger-screened items, especially desktops. The two companies said they were partnering to drive 4K panel prices down to about half of what they are today ‘ getting to about $399, which would enable an all-in-one PC at about $999.
The partners did not reveal terms, but Intel may well be bankrolling Samsung, with subsidies or volume guarantees, to give it the confidence to ramp up production ‘ a pattern which has been seen in the past in areas like touchscreens.
Meanwhile, Samsung is reported to be teaming up with Oculus VR, which has been acquired by Facebook, to create a virtual reality headset using Samsung’s OLED mobile displays. According to Engadget, the Galaxy maker will get early access to Oculus’ mobile software development kit, while Oculus will get early access to Samsung’s next generation OLED screen with resolution higher than 1080p. Reports indicate that the prototype of the Galaxy VR headset does not have its own screen, but users slide the phone into the device so it can make use of the camera and switch between VR and augmented reality.
Oculus said a year ago that one of its key aims was to bring full VR to mobile devices.