HTC announces standalone VR headset Vive Focus Plus

HTC has announced the Vive Focus Plus, a standalone VR headset with two 6DoF controllers. Those controllers work with ultrasound to send signals to the headset. The Focus Plus is for the business market.

The Vive Focus Plus has two of those controllers that offer ‘freedom in six directions’. In addition to the three directions of front-back, left-right and down-up, these are rotations in those three directions. The Focus Plus also has inside-out tracking, which allows the headset to function without cables.

Exact specifications are not clear, but HTC does not mention an upgrade of the screen. The current Vive Focus has an OLED screen with a resolution of 2880×1600 pixels and a refresh rate of 75Hz. The information mentions a ‘3k-amoled screen’ and therefore it seems to be the same screen. The soc is also the same, namely a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, which is also included in smartphones such as the OnePlus 5 and Google Pixel 2.

HTC does say that the headset should sit more easily on the head, because of better balance and a new soft material, which would be easy to clean. The Vive Focus Plus will be released in the spring for an unknown price. The headset is aimed at businesses only.