Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. unveiled a new Gear VR headset with a controller powered by Facebook Inc.’s Oculus at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Sunday.

The new virtual reality headset itself only has minor changes over the last version of the headset which included a 101-degree field of view while supporting both USB-C and MicroUSB Samsung devices including the Galaxy S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6 Edge+, S6 and S6 Edge, although it does come in slightly heavier and wider than the two versions before it at 345 grams and 207.8 mm X 112.5 mm X 98.6 mm respectively.

While the headset itself was only partially tweaked, it’s the new touchpad controller that seriously differentiates the new offering from its predecessors. The touch controller looks like a fairly standard Bluetooth connected headset controller. But those looks are deceiving.

Samsung is bringing to market not only a base level controller that enables the user to navigate through VR spaces without the need to tap the side of the headset, it also brings part Wii, part Microsoft Kinect functionality. The controller can track hand motion along with a circular, clickable touchpad that lets a user point, drag and drop objects, tilt and shoot.

Along with a trigger and touchpad, the controller includes home, volume and back keys allowing users to easily interact with various points of the Oculus-powered VR interface. The controller also offers a wrist strap that Samsung describes as offering “a secure grip for comfortable and secure play,” though more likely its true functionality is to ensure that the controller itself isn’t accidentally flung across a room. Weighing 64.3 grams, the controller also includes an accelerometer and gyroscope and takes two AAA batteries for power.

The good news is that the controller should work with most existing content available from the Gear VR store for basic functionality. Except for the extra features, the controller works along the same lines as the touchpad on the side of the headset. But Oculus said that more than 70 new titles optimized for the controller are currently in development and that a software development kit will be available in a few weeks to app developers that wish to build in support.

No price or release dates have been revealed, but it’s likely to go on sale before the end of the second quarter. It’s also not known whether Samsung will offer the controller as a standalone accessory for existing Gear VR owners.

Photo: Samsung