HTC announces Vive Pro, wireless VR adaptor

The next generation of Vive headsets is being prepared, with HTC revealing the Vive Pro at CES 2018, and setting its sights on the second half of the year for the cable-free Vive Wireless Adaptor. 

Several appreciable improvements augment the Vive Pro's major claim to fame as HTC prepares to make its evolving line of virtual reality headsets a cable-free proposition. 

Display resolution has been upped to 1,440 x 1,600 per panel (2,880 x 1,600 combined) from 1,080 x 1,200 (2,160 x 1,200 together) on the standard Vive. 

Built-in Hi-Res headphones correspond to an on-board headphone amp for 3D spatial sound and improved audio quality. 

A redesigned chassis, headstrap, face cushion, and nosepad aim to increase comfort and block more exterior light. 

Its second front-facing camera allows for exterior depth perception, while dual microphones provide noise cancellation as well as an Alert Mode and Conversation Mode so wearers can get the best of both worlds.

The HTC Vive Wireless Adaptor is expected to launch between July and September 2018. — HTC Corporation

But perhaps most significantly, the Vive Wireless Adaptor allows for cable-free ducking, diving, peeking and roaming through the headset's room-scale games and experiences. 

It does so by incorporating Intel's WiGig technology, though we'll have to wait a little longer for the Pro (and existing Vive headsets) to cut the cord: the Vive Pro is expected to launch before the end of March while the Wireless Adaptor is expected during the third quarter of 2018. 

Neither the Vive Pro nor the Vive Wireless Adaptor have been priced upon their CES 2018 reveal, which leaves a little space for speculation. 

The original HTC Vive, developed in partnership with PC, Mac and Linux gaming platform Steam, launched April 2016 at an introductory price of US$799 (RM3,201). 

A corporate version of the headset already exists, indicating that HTC does not expect consumers to pay the US$1,200 (RM4,807) it takes to secure a specialist Vive Business Edition. 

In fact, by August 2017, HTC had brought the standard Vive down to US$599 (RM2,399). 

That leaves the US$799 (RM3,201) early adopter slot open for a new occupant, and HTC may be indicating its intention with the "Vive Pro" nomenclature; in November 2016, Sony diversified its PlayStation 4 console line-up by adding an enhanced PlayStation 4 Pro at the console's original price, next to a more affordably priced version of the PS4 launch model. 

As for the Wireless Adaptor, third-party manufacturer TPCast, which also uses WiGig, launched its self-titled TPCast accessory at US$299 (RM1,197); a TPCast Plus was announced at CES 2018. — AFP Relaxnews