HTC, the brand behind the bleeding edge of consumer headsets just unveiled a new mobile VR experience called the Vive Flow.
Announced today and ready to get on the go with consumers in the near future, the Vive Flow carves is aiming to carve a definite niche in the VR space. While HTC’s own Focus headsets are ready to do battle at your desktop and in any dedicated space, the Vive Flow brings new worlds with you. Crammed into a compact and lightweight set of glasses the new addition to the Vive lineup is designed to plug in and help owners nurture their minds, relax and have fun on a daily basis. To simply, go with the flow.
While headsets like the Quest might be unyielding wireless gaming machines, this mobile offering from HTC seems to be more of an all rounder. Using a USB C connection, the Flow powers a pair of screens, while your smartphone does the direction. Through this wireless connection, owners will be able to engage in immersive experiences like meditation, take a trip away when flying still isn’t an option, stream big screen movies via compatible phones, and even use services like Geforce Now or Stadia to blow away the competition.
Weighing in at just 180g and costing around £499 / from €549, and for USD $499 the Vive Flow has plenty under the hood despite the small footprint. Behind the aviator styled front, these glasses feature an expansive 100-degree field of view, 3.2K resolution, and a smooth 75 Hz refresh rate. Full spatial audio is included, although for on the go enthusiasts you can connect to Bluetooth earphones, ensuring a more intimate experience. There’s an obvious effort to ensure end user comfort with a magnetic face gasket, an active cooling system, and built in diopter dials, allowing users to easily make adjustments for crystal clear visuals.
The HTC Vive Flow is a definite step away from the hulking monsters of the desktop and still significantly more streamlined than the Oculus Quest 2. Whether that format change and other enhancements find it a place in the market, we’ve yet to see. If you’re interested in jumping in early then the VIVE Flow retails for £499 / from €549, and for USD $499 from vive.com/vive-flow. Pre-orders start today, and anyone pre-ordering will receive the official Vive Flow carry case and a gift bundle of 7 pieces of content. Open sales begin in November 2021.
