$99 GearVR Release Date Announced

Oculus and Samsung have announced that the $99 GearVR headset will launch on November 20. Preorders for the device are now open at retailers like Amazon, BestBuy, and Samsung's own store.

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Announced during Oculus Connect in September, the new GearVR model is 19 percent lighter than the existing Innovator Edition, which sells for $199. It also should be more comfortable to wear, as it boasts "improved ergonomics," while a redesigned touchpad should help with navigation.

The new device also works with more smartphones than the Innovator Edition, as it supports the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, S6, and S6 edge.

In terms of games and other VR app support, Oculus says there are "dozens" of made-for-VR games "coming soon." One of the launch titles is Oculus Arcade, which features more than 20 classic titles like Pac-Man, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Gauntlet. In addition to games, there will be "thousands" of videos and films to watch using the headset from the likes of Netflix, Twitch, and other video-on-demand services.

You can visit the Oculus website to learn more about the new GearVR headset.

As for Oculus Rift, the first consumer model is slated to arrive in the first quarter of 2016, though pricing for the headset--which also comes with an Xbox One controller--has not been announced.