HTC VIVE™, the leader in room-scale Virtual Reality (VR), today announced new hardware, software, and content offerings that redefine how VR is experienced. With VIVE Pro Eye, a new headset with built-in eye tracking, the high-end VR experience from VIVE Pro just got even better. Additionally, VIVEPORT, HTC’s global app store for VR content, announced unlimited subscription access with Viveport Infinity so all the best content is available at any time.
HTC also unveiled a developer kit for a future headset, VIVE COSMOS, created with a new level of accessibility and ease of use. Revealed alongside Cosmos, the ‘Vive Reality System’ reimagines what VR should look like in the age of spatial computing, with fresh ways to display content and transport users between immersive environments.
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Vive Pro Eye
HTC upgraded the Vive Pro, the best professional VR module, with an eye tracking add-on. The Vive Pro Eye gives users new levels of accessibility, including gaze-oriented menu navigation and removing the need for controllers. With the inclusion of eye tracking, the new Vive Pro Eye will allow businesses and developers to gather more data about their training environments, help optimize computer and VR performance, and offer product design and research groups unprecedented levels of feedback.
Viveport Infinity
HTC also announced the biggest upgrade to their Viveport subscription service. Viveport Infinity allows members to discover and explore hundreds of virtual destinations anytime with unrestricted access.
Starting Vive Day, April 5, 2019, members can download and play any of the 500+ titles in the Viveport Infinity library with no restrictions. This unlimited subscription model will give members the opportunity to save thousands of dollars on top-quality content while allowing them to discover new experiences. Viveport has announced that it is doubling the library of content available in its Viveport Subscription service by adding more than 75 new titles. The new content brings the total number of VR titles available for subscription to more than 150, and includes over two dozen popular apps available in the West for the first time.
“With Viveport Subscription, we want to give customers an easy and affordable way to experience more amazing VR content for a low monthly fee, We are doubling the number of available titles to over 150 with new bestsellers and a wide range of content available in the West for the first time. We want to offer VR developers the most ways to monetize their content, and they now have an additional channel to reach new audiences and generate more revenue,”said Rikard Steiber, President of Viveport at HTC Vive.
Viveport Subscription lets customers choose five titles for unlimited access for $6.99 a month. Customers can renew their list every month or cancel without obligation. The service is currently running a one-month free trial for new customers. Users must update their Vive software in order to access Viveport Subscription and other new features at the Viveport app store.
Vive Cosmos
Vive Cosmos is the newest VR headset from Vive, offering absolute comfort, and ease of set-up and use—ensuring consumers can access their virtual world whenever their life may call for it. With no external base stations required, Vive Cosmos maximizes flexibility of usage space, whether at home or on the go, and has the capability to be powered by more than a traditional gaming PC.
Vive Reality System
HTC’s creative lab unveiled the new Vive Reality system, a completely reimagined way for people to experience the virtual world—encompassing the total user experience from the moment a headset is put on to how content is interacted with.
The Vive Reality System includes both operational and experiential elements impacting the entire Vive product portfolio and experienced first on the Vive Cosmos. As part of the project, Vive announced a deal with Mozilla to launch the first Vive-dedicated VR browser.
All in all, HTC has taken a massive step forward in strengthening its VR portfolio and it will be interesting to see how these new offerings perform in the market going forward.
