HTC unveils two new VIVE VR headsets for gaming and business

HTC has launched two new VIVE VR headsets and a suite of professional tools that will take the platform in an all-new direction for business and consumer applications.

Announced at HTC’s VIVECon, the company unveiled the VIVE Pro 2 and the VIVE Focus 3 with both featuring 5K resolution displays and a 120-degree field of view.

“Today’s launch marks a major milestone in our strategy to create the very best immersive experiences,” said Cher Wang, HTC Chairwoman and CEO.

“We have listened to our customers, from well-known global companies to smaller firms and professional users and have designed these premium headsets from the ground up to meet the challenges they face, adding a professional range of software, platform and services to make implementation as smooth and effective as possible.

“In line with our mission, we’ve combined the very latest technology with the needs and aspirations of our customers, enabling them to unleash their imagination to improve people’s lives and solve problems for business and society.”

“Furthermore, I am delighted to share this good news at our first global VIVECON event; a clear demonstration of how the virtual world has become mainstream over the last year, enabling people from all over the world to join us without leaving their homes.

“In this new normal, VIVE is playing a greater role in bringing people closer together while creating a more sustainable world.”

VIVE PRO 2 – $1,229

The VIVE Pro 2 has a 120Hz refresh rate and really pushes the envelope in terms of gaming, creating and experiences.

The 5K resolution deliver 2.5K to each eye for clear and smooth video with minimal motion blur.

And because of that new higher resolution it eliminates the “screen door effect” for a more natural and immersive experience.

HTC has worked with NVIDIA and AMD to utilise Digital Stream Compression for the first time in a VR headset. This ensures maximum visual quality.

VIVE 2 Pro has fine adjustable inter-pupillary distance (IPD) and more evenly distributed weight balance.

Also onboard is Hi-Res audio certified headphones and also supports third party headphones.

The full VIVE Pro 2 is available for pre-order from today.

VIVE FOCUS 3 – $1,999

The new all-in-one VIVE Focus 3 is an ideal solution for business VR and combines excellent visuals with smarter design.

And like the VIVE Pro 2, the Focus 3 has 5K resolution and a 120-degree field of view but a lower 90Hz refresh rate.

It has a fast-switching display which uses real RGB subpixels for a clearer image so fine detail like writing and overall fidelity is a lot clearer.

The VIVE Focus 3 offers a comfortable fit and balanced weight distribution with a new curved battery now located on the back strap rather than in the headset.

The battery can also be changed in seconds to keep going with the VR experience.

VIVE Focus 3 uses an AI-powered inside-out tracking algorithm for precision tracking.

And privacy is front and centre with the tracking data stored in an encrypted format on the headset itself.

The VIVE Focus 3 will go on sale on June 24.

VIVE BUSINESS

VR is not just about gaming but has real applications in the business world as well.

VIVE Business is a new complete set of software and services to support the needs of the businesses who want to get the most out of AR.