HTC announced a new “small” VIVE headset on Twittersharing only the image you see below. This one also confirmed that the teaser was indeed for a new helmetand this in multiple answers on Twitter.
Funny thing, when we try to increase the brightness of the image, it does not reveal any additional detail except the text “Nice try” (meaning “Well tried” in French) at the bottom right.
So, what could this famous helmet look like?
A new VIVE Flow?
HTC already selling the helmet VR the most compact available outside of China, the VIVE Flow. Released last year, this is a pretty unique headset that sells in a class of its own. He has an onboard chip for all computing tasks (including rendering and tracking), but is powered by a USB cable. The onboard battery is tiny and only intended for accidental disconnections of a few seconds.
Like the PICO 4 and Meta Quest Pro coming, the VIVE Flow owes its form factor to the use of lenses pancakes. Compared to contact lenses fresnel or aspherical, the lenses pancakes allow the use of smaller panels with a shorter gap.
VIVE Flow is however a niche product. She controllers do not have the same tracking position than other helmets VR and therefore it cannot support the majority of content VR. HTC had stated that the VIVE Flow would feature a controllerless hand tracking system, but that hasn’t happened yet. So the company could possibly prepare a VIVE Flow 2 with a more powerful processor, hand tracking and maybe even the tracking controllers.
A new VIVE Focus?
VIVE Focus is the line of stand-alone helmets from HTC sold to businesses. the VIVE Focus 3 was delivered last year with higher definition, wider field of view and more RAM that the Meta Quest 2but sold for $1299. A potential VIVE Focus 4 could achieve thinner and lighter design with lenses pancakes.
Last month, HTC started selling face and eye tracking add-ons for the VIVE Focus 3. If this may seem like a reason not to replace the device soon, HTC is no stranger to overlapping product lines. In effect, HTC announced the LIVE Focus Plus and the VIVE Focus 3 during the first half of the year, over a two-year interval.
A stand-alone consumer headset?
Sure, HTC could finally be on the verge of doing what fans have been asking for for years, which is a gaming-focused standalone product for consumers. HTC has almost entirely withdrawn from the mainstream market in recent years, so it would be a significant change of strategy. Furthermore, Meta is no longer the only competitor in town, HTC should also tackle the youngest, the PICO 4.
A new VIVE headset for PC?
There’s no reason why a compact helmet with lenses pancakes can be something other than a standalone headset. HTC currently sells two PC headsets, the VIVE Cosmos and the VIVE Pro 2.
The VIVE Pro 2 was released last year with impressive definition and field of vision. But its price of $1399 as a complete kit is not affordable for most consumers.
The VIVE Cosmos, meanwhile, retails for $499, but is now three years old.. Assuming that HTC still be interested in this segment, the VIVE Cosmos is ripe for a successor and the use of lenses pancakes for a compact design would be a unique selling point over the HP Reverb G2 and Valve Index.
Conclusion ?
There is no doubt that the image shown to us will be the subject of further rantings, let’s bet thatHTC quickly tell us what it’s all about. One thing is sure, if said builder walks on the toes of Meta or of PICOthis risks forever shaking up the autonomous market !
Furthermore, if the Meta Quest 2 interests you, know that you can always afford it at the Fnac, Darty or Amazon for €449.99.