Samsung and Facebook's Oculus VR division have released the first mainstream virtual-reality device in decades. The $99.99 Gear VR device goes on sale Friday. The consumer-oriented virtual reality headset is coming with a lot of stuff to watch and play in the virtual worlds the headset opens up. A bevy of sensors, specialized software and optical lenses then give you the feeling of being transported to a computer-generated world of your choosing.

Relatively cheap at just $100, you need your own headphones, preferably wireless, plus a recent Samsung phone - the Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge Plus or Note 5.

In order to use the Gear VR, your should attach your phone to the front of the headset, just in front of the lens for your eyes. And by putting the headset on, your surroundings disappear as the phone screen opens a window into a three-dimensional world. As you turn your head, the image shifts accordingly to give the sense of being there in real life. You can even turn all the way around to see what's behind you. The concept is relatively simple: the screen projects slightly different perspectives to your left and right eyes to give the virtual world depth.

But what can you watch with Gear VR? There are many videos intended to demonstrate the Future of Virtual Reality and other tyhat are merely promotions for regular movies and TV shows. A lot of it is free, though some videos or apps will set you back $2 to $10.

The Netflix app streams video to a virtual TV in front of you, essentially offering you with a huge virtual TV is huge.

A few apps also have interactive elements, allowing you, for example, to walk around in a store or explore an island.

The problem is that the Gear VR is meant for use while sitting down, so generally you can't walk around and explore your virtual environment.

The device's release also marks the beginning of what will be a kickoff year for the VR industry, when HTC, Sony and Oculus release high-end devices meant to work with PCs and video game consoles.

The upcoming HTC Vive offers a walkabout experience, though you'll also need an uncluttered room. The HTC VR device consists of a high-definition head-mounted device (HMD), two location trackers and a pair of wireless controllers. The high-end VR solution differentiates from other companies as it can accurately track users' location in spaces up to five by five meters. It also features a high resolution display that provides 1200x1080p images and a refresh rate of 90 Hz.

The Vive, along with the Sony PlayStation VR and the Oculus Rift, will do much more than Gear VR, but will likely cost many times the $100 the Gear VR will set you back.

Facebook and Samsung are launching an ad campaign and setting up experiences at stores like electronics retailer Best Buy, where they will offer devices running short demo videos.