HTC has just announced a new mixed reality headset from its Vive series. The company’s new Vive XR Elite AR/VR headset is now available for pre-orders but with a hefty price tag. So let’s have a look.

The company’s new XR Elite headset costs more than 1,000 US Dollars and was built to compete with Meta’s Quest series of headsets and the upcoming mixed reality headset that Apple is currently working on. The new XR Elite supports a number of games and software that offered HTC already offered on its previous generation VR headsets. Furthermore, the mixed reality experience aspect of this device also allows for full color passthrough video.

In other words, the Vive XR Elite is not just for gaming, but is also built for passive media and productivity tool in a relatively lighter package. the latest Vive headset weighs just 625 grams, which makes it heavier than the Meta Quest 2, but slightly lighter than the Quest Pro, which weighs 722 grams. It features mixed reality functionality with color cameras and a depth sensor for improved situational awareness. Meta had also originally planned to offer this on the Quest Pro as well.

The XR Elite features a 2K pixels per eye, a 110 degree diagonal field of view, a 90Hz refresh rate, 12GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 SoC. Notably, the headset offers a “glasses mode” that basically makes the headset even lighter. This basically lets you take off the strap and battery and replace them with a pair of plastic pieces that rest over your ears, which reduces the weight by around 240 grams. The new headset is priced at 1,099 US Dollars and offers the headset, one battery, and two motion controllers, with shipments set to begin in late February 2023.

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HTC is apparently gearing up to launch a new VR headset from its popular Vive series. The company is planning on launching this new virtual reality headset just before the end of this year.

Go small or go home. pic.twitter.com/PUqqKn4V5E

— HTC VIVE (@htcvive) October 6, 2022

The company had previously announced two new products, which was the Vive Flow and the Vive Wrist Tracker. Both of these were announced back in October 2021 and January 2021 respectively. Now, the brand’s official Twitter handle share a new teaser that showcases the new VR headset that has a compact form factor. Looking at the tweet, the company shared the caption “Go small or go home,” with a silhouette of the upcoming VR headset.

Furthermore, HTC also confirmed in the replies section that “We’re working on something big… we mean small. It’s a new headset!” Interestingly, the company also sent a press release to TechRadar, which was somewhat resembled the announcement of the HTC Vive Flow, which was its “first evolution” from its Proton project. In other words, the upcoming VR headset might be the “second” evolution or next gen iteration of this same project.

As of right now, finer details regarding this product or even its naming is still unknown. For those unaware, the Vive Flow was a pair of VR glasses that was launched with an innovative form factor, but with an expensive price tag of 499 US Dollars. Despite its unique design, the company’s Vive Flow was criticized for its performance and limited immersion. So, we can expect the newer model to bring improvements in this formula.

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HTC has announced a new VR headset today, The Vive Flow is its first VR headset this year that is targeted at consumers and not enterprise users. The new headset also has a unique design that makes it look like oversized goggles.

The Vive Flow is priced at $499 which is pretty steep when compared to standalone VR headsets such as the Oculus Quest 2 which has a $300 price tag.

HTC focused on comfort when designing the Vive Flow. It is designed to be worn like a pair of glasses rather than strapped on like a lot of other headsets. It has also made it light, weighs 189 grams, by not putting a battery inside it. Actually, there is a battery but a very mall one to keep it powered for a few minutes while switching power sources. The headset has a USB-C connector that allows users to plug it into an external power source such as a portable battery pack or a phone with support for reverse charging.

The Vive Flow has two 2.1-inch LCD displays with a resolution of 1600 x 1600 per eye. It has a refresh rate of 75Hz and a 100° field of view. It is also fitted with 2 cameras for inside-out headset six degrees of freedom tracking and has support for video pass-through so the user can be aware of their environment. It has two diopter dials for adjusting the focus for each lens.

There is a Qualcomm XR1 chip powering it along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of non-expandable storage. It also has stereo speakers with spatial audio support and dual microphones with echo and noise cancellation. HTC says users can connect their Bluetooth headphones to the Vive Flow too.

The headset doesn’t have its own controllers but owners can use their connected phone as a controller. To use the Vive Flow, owners have to sign into or create an account on the Vive platform on their phones. Then connect their headset to their phone via Bluetooth and then connect to a 5GHz Wi-Fi network. HTC has revealed that the device will launch with 100 apps and support 150 by the end of the year. Owners will also be able to cast their phone to the headset via Miracast and even watch content from their favorite streaming apps.

At the moment, the Vive Flow is only compatible with Android devices running Android 9.0 Pie and above. There is a tool on the Vive website to see if your device is compatible. It is already available for pre-order on the manufacturer’s website.

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HTC Vive is the Taiwanese company’s line of VR hardware. The manufacturer is expected to announce new products and it appears that will happen next month during its first-ever HTC Vivecon.

Announced yesterday via the official HTC Vive Twitter account, Vivecon 2021 will hold next month on May 11 and May 12. The 2-day event is expected to be a virtual one and the attached image appears to be a teaser for a VR headset.

Mark your calendars. pic.twitter.com/02OMyZ3daR

— HTC VIVE – VIVECON 2021 | May 11-12 (@htcvive) April 12, 2021

HTC is expected to announce an all-in-one VR headset that doesn’t need to be tethered to a computer. However, it is unknown if it will be a commercial device or one for consumers.

Last week, the official HTC blog shared an image of a VR headset albeit hidden under a piece of cloth. The VR headset is believed to be the one that will be announced at the event next month. From the image, we can make out a strap that runs across from the middle of the headset to the back.

Alongside a new VR headset, HTC should also announce new games and features for the Vive platform.

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HTC has surprisingly outlived LG in the smartphone market. Even though the Taiwanese company is also struggling, it has no plans to exit the market yet. Actually, it has new 5G phones planned for this quarter according to a new report.

The info comes from DigiTimes who cites unnamed industry sources. According to them, HTC has plans to launch new 5G smartphones along with new AR/VR products this quarter. These new products are expected to help invigorate sales.

The manufacturer has also cut the price of its first 5G smartphone, the HTC U20 5G. The phone which launched last June is now selling for TWD$13,990 (~$492), just TWD$1,000 more than the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G that was announced at the beginning of the year. You do get a more powerful processor, double the storage, and a higher-resolution selfie camera. However, that price is on the high side when compared to the competition.

For its AR/VR plans, HTC wants to release more commercial devices that serve those who need them for communication, work, and education. These new devices should launch under the VIVE series.

All of these products are planned for release this quarter but we won’t rule out the possibility of a delay considering the world is facing a chip shortage issue. Nevertheless, when they do arrive, they should be announced first in Taiwan before a wider release.

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The Mona Lisa is getting a fresh lease of life with the help of Virtual Reality, five centuries after the iconic portrait came to life. This is part of a new initiative by the Louvre, in association with HTC, which struggled with the iconic painting’s popularity this year. With the upcoming Leonardo exhibition right around the corner, the experts are busy fine-tuning the 3D viewing angles that protrude beyond the shatterproof glass enclosure.

The idea behind the experience is to educate people about the Mona Lisa and its history so that its value can be better appreciated. With the help of VR, people that are unable to be present physically can also get the same experience right from the living room. HTC has set up a special viewing room inside the museum with 11 Vive Cosmos headsets for people to soak in the VR experience.

According to a statement issued by Dominique de Font-Réaulx, the Director of Interpretation and Culture Programming at the Louvre, “This is our first attempt at using VR to educate and entertain the guests visiting the museum”. Commenting on the VR experience, Dominique added, “She is seated face-to-face with the audience in the manner of having a conversation”.

The experience includes many of da Vinci’s original designs, including the wing-flapping glider that he had sketched. Dominique added that the two curators who were assigned the task spent countless hours researching important materials for the narration. They are also responsible for highlighting the visual details on and around Mona Lisa, including the gentle waves on her velvet dress, to the clay tiles from 16th Century Florence.

The digital experience is part of an experiment to broaden the Louvre’s appeal with the younger generation. The French Government is leaving no stone unturned to promote the country’s artistic heritage with Virtual Reality and other alternatives. Franck Riester, the French Minister of Culture, unveiled a plan to set up a thousand ‘micro-follies’ or digital museums around the country within the next three years, back in September. The locations include places frequented by people such as libraries, cinemas, hair salons, and social centers.

The most dramatic portion of Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass, perhaps is the 3D model of the woman. The VR artists used infrared, X-Ray and refractive data collected from the Louvre to deduce what she might have looked like. The team at Emissive VR studio did not just infer her physical features, but also recreated her clothes, which folded and creased at the right places with her every twist and turn.

According to Emissive’s Art Director, Emmanual Gorinstein, “The landscape behind Mona Lisa was not created to feel realistic. It is based on da Vinci’s imagination and geographical knowledge of the region, which adds to its charm”. The tour concludes with Mona Lisa’s 3D portrait in her iconic pose, placed in front of the newly recreated background. HTC Vive Arts have volunteered its services for the Louvre’s Mona Lisa VR project.

UP NEXT: HTC Exodus 1s blockchain phone is a rebranded Desire 12s

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VIVE Studios, which is a VR content development and publishing initiative from HTC Vive, has today announced the release of an award-winning VR firm — 7 Miracles, which has been developed in partnership with Panogramma and Film Production Consultants.

The company has announced that the feature-length VR film is now available on VIVEPORT for the HTC VIVE for $19.99. It is also available for all Android devices via the Google Play Store for $9.99.

HTC has also revealed that additional headsets and platforms, including iOS and the VIVE Wave platform, will be compatible at a later date. New 3D room-scale scenes are also to be added in future updates to further immerse viewers in the PC-VR experience.

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A few days ago, HTC announced a merger of its mobile and VR (Vive) divisions. This comes a few months after Google acquired its “Powered by HTC” R&D division. Sadly, the merger has resulted in loss of jobs at the Taiwanese company.

An emailed statement by an HTC employee revealed that the company had combined its VR and smartphone businesses in each region. Both businesses are now reporting to the same leadership.

It also mentions a restructuring of the North American smartphone division which now has a centralized leadership. “In doing so, there have been some employee reductions to align the businesses and empower the teams to share more resources.”

Digital Trends reports that HTC has laid off a chunk of its US workforce, leaving only employees for HTC Global in the US office.

Now that both divisions have been merged, it explains the resignation of the former head of smartphone and connected devices, Chialin Chang.

READ MORE: HTC Vive Business Edition VR System Launched In India

It is still too early to say what HTC’s fate is. The company still has a flagship set for launch this year and a new entry level phone called the Desire 12.

(Source, Via)

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HTC, the Taiwanese manufacturer, has announced the launch of its latest HTC Vive Business Edition (BE) virtual reality headset in India. With this, the company seems to be aiming to cater to the enterprise audience that has virtual reality applications in the commercial market.

In India, the virtual reality headset comes at a price of Rs 1,26,990 (approximately $1953) and can be purchased from Amazon India as well as www.imonline.co.in. The company would also allow organizations to order Vive VR systems with additional services adapted for business and commercial environments.

The package contents for the HTC Vive Business Edition system includes Vive BE headset, two Vive BE controllers, two Vive BE base stations, 4 Vive BE face cushions, and a Vive BE 3-in-1 cable. The company is also providing 12-months limited warranty on purchase of the HTC Vive Business Edition in India.

Commenting on this, Faisal Siddiqui, President – South Asia at HTC, said:

Vive BE is reshaping the future of business operations by offering them a complete VR eco-system. Built to scale with growing business requirements, Vive BE delivers exceptional experience and innovative solutions that address the growing business needs of companies globally. As a part of our Vive focus in 2018 we plan to expedite the growth of our partner through application of Vive technology across key areas like gaming, entertainment, automotive, engineering and medical amongst others.

The device comes with a 3.6-inch dual-AMOLED display setup with a combined screen resolution of 2160 x 1200 pixels and a refresh rate of up 90Hz, 110-degree Field of View (FoV), and lens distance adjustment features.

It sports a Deluxe Audio Strap, making it easier to switch the headset between users. The headset comes equipped with several sensors, including G-sensor, SteamVR tracking, gyroscope, and proximity sensor. Connectivity options on the device include HDMI, USB 2.0, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth, and Micro-USB Vive controller.

Read More: HTC Desire 12 Retail Box Leak Reveals Phone’s Specifications

Last month, at Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2018), HTC announced the Vive Pro and Vive Wireless Adaptor. The Vivo Pro comes with a dual front-facing camera and has also built a new head strap that includes “integrated high-performance headphones with a built-in amplifier”. The company has not yet released the full tech specs nor the pricing and availability details.

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Taiwanese tech giant HTC has announced a new standalone Vive VR headset for the Chinese market. The HTC Vive is a virtual reality headset developed by HTC and Valve Corporation. The headset uses “room scale” tracking technology, allowing the user to move in 3D space and use motion-tracked handheld controllers to interact with the environment with precision. The new version which seems to be developed specifically for the Chinese market is a standalone device that does not require to be connected to a PC or smartphone.

The new HTC Vive VR headset is indeed the first HTC VR that would be entirely mobile which is an advantage in a way. However, the hardware are most likely not identical with the existing Vive VR as this one looks like a trimmed down version. The new standalone Vive will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 mobile VR platform and would come with access to the Viveport platform. The Snapdragon 835 mobile VR platform was designed for standalone VR headset and has made this device independent of a smartphone or PC to function.

Read More: HTC Vive Smartphone with Stunning Unique Designs In Works?

 Apart from its standalone nature which makes it highly mobile, the HTC Vive standalone VR headset is expected to be affordable. Due to the fact that the device would not need additional hardware to function, the price would be way cheaper than the non-standalone Vive VR. However, HTC is yet to announce the price tag for the gadget but has indicated that the VR headset would be dropping later this year. When that happens, we’ll find out more details and the actual price of the device.

(source)

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Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Tab S3 yesterday in Barcelona. Asides that, it also announced the new Gear VR headset which now comes with a controller.

The new Gear VR headset, like the former is made in partnership with Oculus and comes with a controller that makes interacting with games easier and much more fun. For those of you with keen eyes, you will notice the controller looks very much like that of HTC’s Vive.

The controller has a circular touchpad for navigation; a trigger button for grabbing, shooting, and aiming depending on the app; and also has integrated home, volume, and back buttons. Samsung has designed the controller such that it works with one hand.

Since there is a new controller, Samsung and Oculus are working on over 70 new titles that will take advantage of the new hardware. They have also said the controller will work with existing touchpad apps. The controller’s SDK will also be available to developers in a few weeks and you can even submit your request here.

READ MORE: Samsung Unveils Exynos 8895 Octa-Coe Processor: First Exynos 9 Series Chip

The headset itself doesn’t look much different from the one released last year alongside the Galaxy Note 7. It has a USB Type-C port, an adapter for microUSB, and compatibility with the S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge,and S6 Edge+ and should work with the refurbished Galaxy Note 7 when it launches in June.

Samsung didn’t reveal the price for the new Gear VR headset and controller but mentioned that the controller will also be sold separately for those who already own a Gear VR.

(Source, via)

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The HTC Vive 2 VR headset was rumored to get unveiled at the recently held CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2017 event, but it did not come true. Fresh rumors suggest that the Taiwanese company may announce HTC Vive smartphone soon.

Evan Blass, the well-known leakster has revealed a new video that shows the company is working on a HTC Vive smartphone. The video shows that even though people have different personalities, the smartphones that they use from various brands do not reflect their personalities. Hence, the company is working on a smartphone that ‘connects’ with different people with unique appeal.

The leaked video was first published by Shaun Saperstein, a videographer, on Vimeo in June 2016. The Linkedin profile Saperstein indicates that he worked with the Taiwanese company as visual/motion designer until June last year.

Interestingly, he is also the author of the HTC concept phone that that surfaced in the past week. The video is no longer available on Vimeo and Saperstein’s website

HTC 2017? pic.twitter.com/ppONWlT5Mr

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) January 8, 2017

However, it is available through the tweet from Blass as well as on YouTube. The leakster did not obtain the video from an insider from HTC, but he has just shown a video that has been available online to the public for more than six months.

The video shows a sneak peek of the HTC Vive smartphone being prepped up at the “CMF Kitchen” where CMF stands for Color Material Finish. The CMF Kitchen seems to be a place where designers experiment on the appeal of products.

Related: Code Names For Three HTC Phones Hitting the Market Soon Leaked

The three unique design that CMF Kitchen seems to offer on the HTC VIve smartphone are chemicals, super fibers, and litmus. The new colors and design suggest HTC wants to offer something unique from the usual black, silver, and gold color variants that are available on smartphones across various brands.

It is not clear as to what a HTC Vive smartphone may offer. It may be a smartphone that supports Google Daydream VR platform or the company may offer a customized approach to VR through it. The smartphone seems to have HTC Vive brand on the rear side of its metallic chassis. The camera module suggest that it sports a standard sensor with LED flash.

As of this writing, there is no confirmation on other sources on the existence of HTC Vive smartphone. Hence, we suggest our readers to take this news with a pinch of salt.HTC will be holding an unveil event on Jan. 12. It is expected to announce HTC U Ultra and HTC U Play smartphones at the event.

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HTC might not be doing so well in the smartphone market but their HTC Vive VR headset is currently the best device you can get if you are considering getting into PC-connected virtual reality.

HTC first announced the Vive at 2015 edition of MWC, but it wasn’t available for purchase until April of this year. Now it appears that the Taiwanese company might announce the Vive 2 at next year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Reports from local media in Taiwan, the HTC Vive 2 will be able to sync wirelessly with compatible PCs out of the box. It will also have its refresh rate bumped from 90Hz to 120Hz and its resolution raised from 1080 x 1200 for each eye to 4K per eye.

READ MORE: HTC One X10 Specifications, Pricing, Leaked Photos Surface; launch Date in January 2017

If the HTC Vive 2 does get announced next week, then we should expect the original HTC Vive to get a discount.

Source

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Today, In MWC 15 Barcelona, HTC’s CEO Cher Wang said that HTC is the first smart phone manufacturers, led by the people’s trend,HTC would now would be working on VR, VR would be the next most trending thing in phone market. HTC today in Barcelona Launched HTC M9, HTC Grip and HTC Vive. HTC Vive is a Virtual Reality headset consisting of 90 sensors which could track even a little of your head movement, before HTC Vive, the most talked VR Headset was oculus rift which had a lot of Issues with head tracking and Screen. The Vive seems to have cured it.

Wang Said, HTC was the first Smartphone maker with its HTC Dream, Now after 7 years HTC has launched a phenomenal device. According to the market, Only 2 Smartphone companies will survive in future, According to Wang, HTC is one of them. VR technology was out a long back in 90’s when Nintendo had a gaming VR headset, it was the beginning, with a black and white Screen, playing it for more than fiftenn minutes caused headache and all. Virtual Reality has now improved a lot, It can be used in Medical, Engineering and Rocket Science. VR can actually be a source of great fun, you can experience a whole lot of things sitting in your living room. For example, doctors in training interns can practice holding a heart, you can tour the Forbidden City witnessed the Qianlong Emperor, “has become a world without walls,” not only through the experience of others, you can also make your own experience event again experience.

HTC Presented a small Video for HTC RE Vive Headset, which explains why is it soo good, have a look by clicking here

Source: CNA 

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