HTC’s new VR headset
HTC has revealed that it will be launching a standalone VR headset – one that works without being tethered to a PC, smartphone or other device.
The announcement was made at last week’s ‘China Joy 2017 - The 15th China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference’, held in Shanghai. Here’s what we know so far.
It’s called Vive Standalone – for now
The new headset is still officially un-named, but is referred to in the HTC press release as Vive Standalone.
HTC has partnered with Qualcomm to create the headset, which will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 VR platform. This is the same system being used in a Daydream VR headset that HTC and Google are working on. So to avoid any confusion, we think it’s worth clarifying that these are two different headsets….
- The DayDream VR headset is a standalone product that will work on the Google Daydream platform, and is expected to be out at the end of this year.
- The Vive Standalone VR headset that we’re talking about in this article will use Viveport, Vive’s very own app store.
To confuse things slightly, perhaps, these two devices are expected to look very similar. Qualcomm has said that both headsets are ‘near-identical’, apart from a few cosmetic differences. All will be revealed when both products are released, and we can compare them side-by-side.
When’s it coming to the UK?
We’re looking forward to getting our hands on this Vive Standalone VR handset, but it may be a while yet. It’ll be released exclusively in China at first, and that’s as much as we know for now. HTC hasn’t announced any further details such as the price, specifications, UK release date or even the product’s final name.
What we do know is that as a standalone device, it won’t be as powerful as the PC-powered HTC Vive currently available from Currys. However, it should be much cheaper and easier to set-up, with no wires to worry about.
When we find out more about the Vive Standalone we’ll share the details with you, but for now, let’s hear what you think about this new headset. Will you be investing in one when it hits these shores? Or do you have your eyes on another VR device? Share your thoughts below.