HTC is a familiar name for those in the smartphone business, but we have to agree the company has lost its relevance in the past. While the smartphone business struggles, the company is getting good results in the AR segment. The brand has been focusing mostly in the business audience, but today it’s coming with a new AR headset that is different from most HTC Vive devices – The HTC Vive Flow. The product is for those who aren’t very inclined in using VR products, it’s hardware modeled after a pair of sunglasses. One could easily believe that it’s an augmented reality product. However, it’s a slightly tweaked version of advanced HTC Vive VRs, made for those who want to enter this segment.
The HTC Vive Flow has a 1.6K-per-eye
display, but HTC didn’t divulge the exact resolution. It also has a 100-degree
field of view and a 75 Hz refresh rate. We can clearly see HTC cutting some
corners, since the Vive Focus 3, for example, has 120 degrees and a 90 Hz
refresh rate. The device is comparable to the Oculus Quest’s refresh rate
before a recent upgrade and a little more cramped than its 110-degree field of
view.
The device also has two front-facing
cameras to handle motion tracking. In the future, HTC will offer support for
hand tracking as well. The device uses a Qualcomm XR1 chipset and comes with 64
GB of Internal Storage. Unlike the Focus, it lacks a slot for an expansion
card. According to Dan O’Brien, HTC’s head of VR, the product comes to offer
something lighter, more wearable, and easier to travel with. In fact, the HTC
Vive Flow weighs just 189 grams. That’s is really lightweight when you compare
it with the Oculus Quest 2 and it’s 500 grams of weight. The product has a
hinged design that folds up to fit in a US$ 49 carrying case.
The Vive Flow connects to an Android
smartphone wirelessly and you use the phone as a combination remote / touchpad.
You’ll use the smartphone as a virtual laser pointer with buttons for selecting
items and calling up the home screen. The device has a $79 battery pack that
allows users to use the headset for four to five hours. The Flow has its own
battery, However, HTC says it only lasts a few minutes. This is basically
designed to allow the user to change the power sources without turning off the
handset. So, you’ll need to purchase a separate battery or a power bank with
10,000 mAh and a USB-C cable.
Interestingly, the device seems to be
designed for Android users. It does not pair with iPhones, but the company
didn’t discard future support. However, it clearly stated that there are some
barriers to make this work well with iOS. The company wants users to enjoy the
HTC Vive Flow watching a 360-degree video or sit in a virtual environment. You
can’t use the device in scenarios that require virtual hands like VR games. The
camera tracking gives you a more natural experience than a headset that can
only detect the angle of your head. However, the app catalog and the somewhat
loose-fitting glasses-style design mean you probably won’t be walking around.
The company will launch the device with 100 apps and support 150 by the end of
the year.
