Samsung's virtual reality (VR) headset - Gear VR - will not work with Android 6.0 beta for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones.
The South Korean smartphone maker launched the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge at the 2015 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in March and the handsets sit the shelves in April 2015. Both the smartphones came running on Android 5.1 Lollipop.
Google released its latest operating system (OS), the Android 6.0 Marshmallow, in October 2015 and the Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P were the first devices to get the new OS. Several Nexus and non-Nexus mobile devices have received Android 6.0 Marshmallow software update but most of the other Android-powered phones including the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge are still waiting for the new OS.
Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge will get Android 6.0 Marshmallow but the company has not yet confirmed when. Some rumors claim that Android 6.0 Marshmallow will reach Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge in Q1 2016. Unlocked models are likely to get the software update first but many customers may have to wait as individual carriers may take some time to release Android 6.0 Marshmallow for their version of the handset.
On Dec. 23, Samsung officially invited beta testers for the Android 6.0 Marshmallow for Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge.
#Christmas has come early for #Android Fans. Get a beta of #Marshmellow on your #GS6 now https://t.co/XQnHzwtOFP pic.twitter.com/9JrcIva9I2
— Samsung Mobile UK (@SamsungMobileUK) December 23, 2015
Many Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge owners would have installed the beta update on their devices. However, SamMobile has found that the latest Gear VR will not work with devices that have Android Marshmallow beta update installed.
"[W]e've noticed that the Gear VR doesn't work with the beta firmware. It has been mentioned in the Galaxy Beta Program app that the Gear VR will resume working on the final release of Android 6.0 update for these devices," reports Sam Mobile.
Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge owners who want to enjoy watching videos and play games on the Gear VR will not be able to do so if they have the beta update. These customers should wait until the company officially releases Android 6.0 Marshmallow for their devices.
The beta version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow is targeted at improving the quality of the upcoming firmware and find bugs so that they can be fixed before the official release.
VR headsets are one of the big things in the technology industry. Samsung has developed the Gear VR in collaboration with Oculus VR. The headset is currently compatible only with a few Samsung devices such as the Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge.
A wide array of games are available for the Gear VR on the Oculus Store. Owners of the new Gear VR will want to take full advantage of the Samsung head mount.
"Anything is possible when you're inside Gear VR. Whether it's battling the undead or riding a flying carpet, you won't run out of adventures with an ever-expanding vault of games," states Samsung on its website.
However, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge owners will have to avoid installing Android Marshmallow beta update to keep on playing games in virtual reality.
