HTC Vive Pre next-gen VR headset with front-facing camera unveiled

 HTC Vive Pre next-gen VR headset with front-facing camera unveiled

After unveiling the Vive at MWC last year, HTC along with Valve has today unveiled the second-generation VR headset at CES 2016. Called the Vive Pre, this new headset improves on design, and also includes a front-facing camera. As the ‘Pre’ in the nomenclature suggests, this is essentially meant for developers ahead of the final launch sometime in April.

One of the talking points of the Vive Pre is the aforementioned front-facing camera that essentially blends the virtual world and real world. In other words, when the user is immersed in the virtual world he will be aware of the real world through the camera.

As far as the design is concerned, the Vive Pre is smaller and curvier than before. Furthermore, it also comes with better straps and interchangeable foam inserts and nose gaskets to sit comfortably on different facial shapes. HTC also says that the headset now comes with a brighter display which also promises enhanced clarity.

Besides the updated design, and the camera, HTC has also improved the Vive controllers. They now offer better ergonomics, grip pads and haptic feedback. They also boast rechargeable batteries that the company claims is good enough for up to four hours of runtime on a single charge.

“When we first announced Vive ten months ago we had an ambitious goal of fundamentally changing the way people communicate and interact with the world – forever” Cher Wang, chairwoman and CEO, HTC said. “Since then Vive has received a phenomenally positive reception from media, industry commentators, consumers, and the hundreds of partners and brands we’ve been working with to deliver inspiring and dynamic VR content. For too long, the promise of virtual reality has been little more than a promise. Today we stand on the precipice of a new era. Vive is creating a world where the only limit is human imagination.”

As mentioned above, the Vive Pre is going out to the developers for now, with a commercial launch slated for sometime in April. There is however no word on any pricing.