News & Reviews:   HTC Vive

While the smartphone business has been rough for HTC, it's still a strong brand when it comes to the niche VR headset space. In fact, it would seem that the company is already developing its next VR headset. This is evident thanks to a new document filed to the US FCC.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Half-Life: Alyx will be Valve's next flagship virtual reality (VR) game. While that is not so exciting for many Half-Life fans (me) who are still waiting for the third sequel, Valve has just dropped the first trailer and oh my goodness - it looks damn amazing! They may not be joking after all for saying it's a flagship VR game. Let's check out what we know so far.

A new leaked promotional video from HTC may give some hint on what they are up to for 2017. Not only they are talking about how they can be different with the HTC U series, there is even a possible HTC Vive smartphone. Yes, the same brand that they are using for their 3D ecosystem.

Today, Acer Starbreeze, together with Google, HTC VIVE, Facebook's Oculus, Samsung, and Sony Interactive Entertainment, have joined forces and announced the creation of the Global Virtual Reality Association (GVRA), the non-profit organization's purpose of the formation is for international headset manufacturers to promote the growth of the global virtual reality (VR) industry, and to continue develop and share best practices for industry and foster dialogue between public and private stakeholders around the world.

Virtual reality has been promoted here and there this year, you know what it is, as seen in various companies trying to utilise it such as Samsung, HTC, and Sony in Malaysia, but it seems tat VR is starting to slow down according to DigiTimes, with its collection from a few market research firms have noticed that virtual reality and augmented reality products "have been weaker than expected,".

The famous iFixit website, the site that breaks downs many, many things for the knowledge of the internet recently took apart the USD 799 (~RM3130) HTC Vive, and discovered that the 3D VR headset was designed to be repaired easily, by professionals if not by end users.

HTC was expected to announce a new flagship, HTC One M9 at the MWC event in Barcelona this year. However, the company has surprised its fans by introducing not one but three new devices at the event including the new HTC Vive virtual reality headset. This marks the Taiwanese giant's entry into this growing industry. The HTC Vive will directly compete with products such as the Oculus Rift, Samsung's Gear VR and Google Cardboard. The company developed this brand new VR headset in partnership with Valve, the famous game developer and distributor. It will use Valve's Steam VR tracking technologies for an immersive VR experience. The Vive features over 70 sensors and 360 degrees room tracking. It enables real world like interactions. For example, the user can walk and experience the virtual world with the headset at an impressive 90fps. There are two different VR controllers for the device with various VR experiences. HTC is partnering up with a number of well-known game developers and companies for developing a favorable ecosystem for its Vive headset. Some of the renowned names include Vertigo Games, Bossa, Dovetail Games, Wemo Labs, and Google. Even HBO, Lionsgate and the National Palace Museum in Taiwan will provide content for the company's newly announced headset. HTC has not yet announced an official price for the HTC Vive, but the company says that it will be available for purchase before the end of 2015. Meanwhile, the developer edition will be available in spring 2015.