During its Google I/O 2017 conference earlier this
year Google announced it was partnering with HTC to create a new stand-alone
virtual reality headset which would require no smartphone or PC to function and
would provide a completely wireless stand-alone virtual reality experience.
The unofficially named HTC Vive Focus was then
unveiled in China and is expected to launch before the end of the year.
Unfortunately very few specifications and details have been made available as
yet but the company has this month filed trademarks for “Vive Focus” in Europe
and the US.
While some may argue that it could be the name of
software, the filings mention a “head-mounted display”, although nothing is
confirmed yet. Google has also confirmed HTC as a manufacturing partner, and
promised that the hardware would run on Google’s own Daydream VR platform.
Google is expected to unveil their new Google Pixel
2 smartphone early next month on October 4th, 2017 but may also unveil the new
standalone Daydream headset as well. The standalone Daydream VR headset will be
powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 VR platform. As soon as more details are
announced we will keep you up-to-date as always
