HTC plans to launch its first virtual reality headset this year, but not matter how good the technology behind the device is, the HTC Vive won’t be much use if developers don’t create games, videos, and other experiences for it.
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HTC has unveiled the Vive Pre, the company’s next step into the world of virtual reality, though it’s only available to devs for now.
HTC also announced that over 15 Vive partners will be showcasing VR applications at CES 2016, including Audi.
It also contains an integrated front-facing camera, enabling you to see your physical surroundings while wearing the headset. HTC is presumably demoing the new headset at CES this week so hopefully we can get a chance to try it for ourselves.
Rather than simply calling it the second generation developer edition VR headset, this new iteration is being dubber the Vive Pre.
“When we first announced Vive ten months ago we had an ambitious goal of fundamentally changing the way people communicate and interact with the world – forever” comments Cher Wang, chairwoman and CEO, HTC.
The handheld controllers look pretty different post-redesign too, featuring gripper surfaces, rounder edges and textured buttons for you to better feel your way around them.
It is not clear yet whether the HTC Vive consumer model will incorporate the new controller and front-facing camera, or at least elements of these. There’s also a Mura correction feature that eliminates the dirty window appearance most VR headset displays suffer from.
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HTC revealed just before Christmas that the Vive would miss its 2015 launch date due to what was described as a “very big technological breakthrough” that the team decided was worth re-engineering into its current design. However, the biggest change comes in the form of a brand new front-faced camera, which looks to blur the lines between virtual reality and augmented reality by offering the best of both worlds. Replaceable foam inserts and nose gaskets have also been included to offer a greater level of user customization and allowing for Vive Pre to be adjusted to a larger number of facial shapes. Being able to take a seat, find your drink, and carry on conversations without removing your headset is only the beginning of what’s possible. Daniel O’Brien, HTC’s vice president of VR planning and management, told us that the Vive can map up to 5 meters of diagonal space but it can be as small as the seated position.
