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Samsung Gear 360 camera captures up, down and all around (pictures)

Coming in Q2 2016, Samsung's ball-shaped camera can capture immersive spherical video and photos ready to be viewed in VR goggles or on YouTube and Facebook.

Joshua Goldman
Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.
Joshua Goldman
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Have a ball

The Gear 360, a twin-lens camera that captures spherical 30-megapixel photos and not-quite-4K resolution video (3,840x1,920 pixels).

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Tripod/handgrip included

Samsung put a standard tripod mount on the bottom, but will also include a mini tripod that acts as a handgrip when closed.

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Bag it to go

A soft microfiber bag keeps its big lenses protected when traveling.

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Water- and dust-resistant body

Though not completely waterproof (Samsung says a housing will be available for that) the Gear 360 can handle some rain or a splash of water and sand at the beach.

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Removable battery

Unlike many of the current consumer 360 cameras available, the Gear 360 will have a swappable rechargeable battery.

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Buttons!

The camera uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to connect to select Galaxy phones such as the new S7 and S7 Edge, naturally.

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190-degree angle of view

Its two fisheye lenses can capture 190 degrees, which then gets stitched together to create spherical content.

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Little screen

A small screen on top gives you status and setting info.

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Just press record

Once you're set up, there's a record button on top to get you capturing everything around the camera.

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Availability and pricing

Samsung expects the camera to be out in Q2 2016, but pricing is still up in the air.

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Dual- or single-lens mode

While the main attraction is capturing 360-degree photos and video, the camera has a single-lens mode that lets you use it like a regular action cam.

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