HTC VIVE announced on Thursday it will sell its XR Elite mixed reality (MR) headset as a premium bundle for gaming.
Fans of the flagship device can now purchase two sets of bundles, each costing $1,099 USD.
In Bundle A, the device includes a $100 Steam Gift Card, $79 VIVE Streaming Cable, and five titles to download. Bundle B offers a $100 VIVE Promo Voucher, $79 VIVE Streaming Cable, and five titles totalling over $100.
Steam remains one of the premier destinations for cloud-streamed content, not just for gamers, but for governments and enterprise users.
Those interested in cashing in on the deal can do so by 30 September this year.
HTC VIVE Business+ Package
FOr enterprises, HTC VIVE launched a major package for its VIVE Business+ solution. Alongside the VIVE XR Elite Business Edition headset, users can receive enterprise-level features, options, functionality, and mobile device management (MDM).
HTC VIVE’s stellar MDM features allow companies to manage, update, and customise entire fleets of headsets, streamlining and securing the user experience. This employs QR codes to enrol headsets on MDM systems for upgrading over WiFi, rollouts, and switching settings from device to device.
The Business+ package also added a solid two-year warranty to its platform and list of services.
Other features include remote device efficiency monitoring, over-the-air (OTA) batch configurations, user management, and others.
HTC VIVE has also integrated user experience enhancements like Kiosk Mode, for reducing distractions for company workflows, visual odometry (VO) mode for deploying immersive experiences in sandboxed environments, and others.
HTC VIVE Hand-Tracking Tackles Low Light Issues
Furthermore, HTC VIVE updated current and potential headset customers that it had improved its hand-tracking performance. One of the key upgrades to the platform includes enhanced reliability in adverse lighting conditions.
HTC VIVE posted on social media at the time: “Brace yourself for even better performance, especially in low light. Say goodbye to worries about reflections and tricky lighting setups.”
The upgrade also demonstrates the company’s commitment to improving its family of solutions and remaining competitive with rival headset manufacturers.
In the XR Elite Software FOTA 4.5 update, HTC VIVE also tweaked several key issues for the headset’s VIVE Streaming Hub, including PIN code access to devices without a monitor.
HTC VIVE at the Enterprise Metaverse Summit
HTC VIVE’s John Dabill spoke with XR Today on the sidelines of the Enterprise Metaverse Summit in London in late June. The Economist hosted the premier industry meeting to showcase and demo flagship XR strategies.
Speaking on the VIVE Flow, VIVE XR Elite, and the VIVE XR Elite Business Edition, Dabill explained the headset’s hardware specs, collaborative VIVERSE metaverse platform, and advantages over other immersive displays. Furthermore, the company has regularly participated in the Metaverse Standards Forum and XR Association as a member, leading to greater interoperability and standards across the industry.
Through these efforts, HTC VIVE aimed to guide and support businesses struggling to adapt immersive headsets into their workflows. Additionally, the company’s open, cross-platform ecosystem would expedite adoption rates and remove “friction points” for both enterprise and standard consumers.
Consumer Electronics Show 2023 Debut
HTC VIVE debuted its XR Elite solution at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023 this year. At the Las Vegas event, the head-mounted display (HMD) wowed audiences with its sleek form factor, detachable battery, glasses mode, and true colour passthrough.
Several rival headsets, such as the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3, are set to enter the market melee next year and in September, respectively. Apple revealed the former at the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) on 5 June.
Conversely, Meta aims to provide a full reveal for the Quest 3 at its Connect 2023 event from 27 to 28 September. The Menlo Park-based firm also offered audiences a teaser just days ahead of the WWDC, signalling increased competition for the immersive hardware space.
