HTC vibes a new Vive at CES 2018

HTC VIVE, a leader in ‘room-scale’ Virtual Reality (VR) used CES 2018 to show off new Vive hardware with the introduction of Vive Pro and Vive Wireless.

It also showed new improvements in how VR users discover, experience and acquire VR content through a radical redesign of Viveport VR and Vive Video to deliver on VR users’ desire for higher resolution, improved audio, greater comfort, wireless freedom and immersive content discovery.

Vive Pro

Vive Pro is a new HMD upgrade from Vive and has dual OLED 2880 x 1600, 615 ppi, OLED displays for a wider field of view and crisp picture resolution.

This enhances VR immersion, and improved clarity means text, graphics and overall experience all come into sharper view. It also has built-in, high-performance headphones with an in-line amplifier to offer a heightened sense of presence and an overall richer sound.

Additional improvements include a new headband, dual microphones with active noise cancellation and dual front-facing cameras designed to empower developer creativity.

“There’s a clear need in the VR market for a premium VR experience with high-resolution display, integrated audio and the best components available today in a headset,” said Daniel O’Brien, GM U.S., VIVE. “Vive Pro offers an immediate upgrade for both VR enthusiasts and enterprises that want to utilise the best VR experience.”

Vive Wireless Adaptor

The Vive Wireless Adaptor offers wireless VR headset integration for both Vive and Vive Pro. It uses Intel’s WiGig technology and operates in the interference-free 60Ghz band for lower latency and better performance.

“Wireless VR has been on nearly every VR user’s wishlist since the technology was unveiled,” said Frank Soqui, General Manager Virtual Reality Group at Intel Corporation. “By collaborating with HTC to commercialise Intel’s WiGig technology, we will guarantee that wireless VR meets the most discerning quality bar for home users and business VR customers.”

Viveport VR

In the largest upgrade to the Viveport customer experience since launch, Viveport VR redefines how users, discover, experience and acquire VR content.

Instead of a traditional 2D catalogue, Viveport VR content is delivered in fully immersive interactive previews. Viveport is embracing a VR first approach by including VR enabled “VR Previews,” which are interactive glimpses of content that give customers a room-scale preview of an experience and the opportunity to interact with content before purchasing or subscribing.

“Viveport is moving to a VR first experience model, and with the all-new Viveport VR, we are changing the way consumers discover, experience and acquire VR content,” said Rikard Steiber, president, Viveport.  “Until now, there has not been a shopping and browsing experience that takes advantage of the full functionality of VR. Available in early access today, Viveport VR increases interaction with content and offers developers a preview that showcases the quality of their titles and experiences.”

Earlier this year, Viveport launched the world’s first VR subscription service to provide a whole new way to access the best VR experiences for a great price. With more than 1,000 titles available on Viveport today, and more than 325 available for subscription, Vive is changing the way users browse and discover content through Viveport VR.

Vive Video Includes Vimeo

HTC Creative Labs also rolled out an upgrade to its native VR video player, Vive Video. Vive Video solves the discovery and acquisition problem for VR video content by delivering a large catalogue of high-quality streaming video directly to VR headsets. In addition to new features and UI upgrades, Vive Video has integrated content from Vimeo, the world’s largest ad-free open video platform home to millions of creators worldwide.

“Whether we’re building our own tools in-house or partnering with other innovative platforms, Vimeo is committed to the future of storytelling and finding new ways to support our creators,” said Christophe Gillet, GM of Vimeo’s Creator Platform. “Not only does the integration with Vive Video showcase some of Vimeo’s highest quality, human-curated content within the VR experience, but it also gives those creators an exciting new way to expose their work and engage with audiences.”

Vive Video has consistently been one of the most-downloaded and highest-rated apps on the SteamVR platform, enabling users to view 180 and 360-degree video content. Vive Video is available today for both Vive and Google Daydream platforms and will arrive on Vive Wave soon.