The new HTC Vive Pre has a refined design and it offers greater comfort to the VR headset users. The VR displays now use brighter panels, and have received mysterious unspecified “image refinements” that should make virtual reality even more immersive. You can also adjust the HTC Vive to accommodate users with eyeglasses or different face shapes.
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The new headset has a front-facing snapper that has been installed purposely to help those wearing the device to easily blend their physical and VR world.
As well as the camera, HTC also announced new versions of the controls that run alongside Vive, which rest in both hands and used to interact with the virtual world users see. The Vive’s controllers have also been redesigned, boasting a more comfortable design and a new dual-stage trigger to give a more realistic level of interaction with virtual objects. VR headsets that do not work on their own are pretty low-priced, but that’s not likely to be the case with Vive Pre. “Vive is creating a world where the only limit is human imagination”.
In addition to improvements with the headset itself, HTC also launched its pair of redesigned wireless controllers, which come with force feedback, improved buttons and ergonomics.
When it comes to virtual reality headsets, there’s one big problem – you can’t see what’s going on around you. The capabilities of Vive Pre are being demonstrated this week at CES 2016 in Las Vegas, and we’re there to check them out.
Most notably, Vive’s baton-like controllers have had a major design overhaul. The controllers now have rechargeable batteries built in, which HTC claimed would provide “over 4 hours of runtime on a single charge”. “Since then we’ve been working with to deliver inspiring and dynamic VR content. Today we stand on the precipice of a new era”.
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Although Vive is targeting an April launch, Vive Pre isn’t necessarily the final retail version of the hardware.
