Virtual Reality: HTC Announces Slim Vr Headset Vive Flow for Film Consumption and Relaxation

HTC has announced a very light and compact VR glasses with the Vive Flow, which is to offer its users especially with relaxation apps the opportunity to escape the everyday stress (eg with the TRIPS or Nature Treks VR available for other VR systems ).

The screen insertion of a connected smartphone also seems to be an important field of application: This also works according to uploadvr.com with HDCP support to consume, for example, Movies from Netflix or Disney + on a large virtual screen.

As suspected of leaks and rumors, the 189 gram light headset is based on the Project Proton shown previously began with its design on insect eyes. On the official website, the Vive Flow can be pre-ordered for the price of 549 euros - including shell, seven exclusive content and a two-month membership of the subscription service VivePort Infinity. The device will be shipped from 2 November. Free sale in the trade begins in November 2021.

The hardware is placed as sunglasses; Two front cameras offer full freedom of movement (6DOF). It is strictly not a stand-alone standalone system, as it has only one type of emergency battery installed and for power supply e.g. connected to a compatible battery pack. A down-to-date cable is likely to remember the real reality more often than completely independent systems such as the Oculus Quest 2 or the Pico Neo 3.

Apart from the ultra-light weight and the compact form factor, most technical data does not affect the future. The two LCD screens each with 2.1 inches dissolve with 1,600 x 1,600 pixels per eye, which is already difficult to read texts a little more difficult. These values ​​are just about the two-year-old Valve Index (two times 1,440 x 1,600 pixels) and well below the 1,832 x 1,920 pixels per eye of the Oculus Quest 2, which appeared a year ago. The refresh rate is only 75 Hertz (Quest 2: up to 120 Hertz) and the field of view 100 degree.

Which chip is installed is so far unclear. Controllers are not included. Instead, an Android smartphone (iOS is not supported) can be integrated into the virtual world (3DOF, the controller remains apparently like a stationary laser pointer with touchscreen at the player). As a clear advantage of glasses, there are diopter-adjusting wheels (no glasses or contact lenses needed to play). An active fan was integrated into the housing. The sound comes from openings in the hanger or from its own connected Bluetooth headphones.

Vive Flow Specifications

Telephone compatibility Android P and higher Check here the compatibility of your phone

Form factor Ultralight, eyeglass-like, foldable

Memory & Memory 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM

Weight 189g (1,2m cable additionally 50g)

Resolution 3.2k combined (2x 2.1 LCD 1600 x1600 per eye)

field of field Up to 100 degrees

Image repeat rate 75 Hz

Hygiene Interchangeable facial padding and template pads

Cooling Active cooling for constant performance and elevated user comfort

Audio Stereo speaker with spatial audio support Two microphones with echo and noise reduction Supports Bluetooth headphones

Power supply External power source (e.g., compatible battery pack)

Hot swapping support Hot swapping of power sources and maintenance running processes on the device up to 5 minutes by the integrated uninterruptible power supply system

Visual support Adjustable diopters that allow easy focus setting for each lens

Controller Can use a connected phone as a controller

Video Passthrough Yes. Supports video passthrough to perception of the area

Tracking 2x cameras for inside out headset 6dof tracking

Connectivity USB-C WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS Bluetooth 5.0

The Vive Flow was developed in terms of comfort and mobility and allows people to enjoy moments of peace and relaxation throughout the day. Among other things, this is achieved through the following functions:

Meditation 2.0 with apps like Tripp or an immersive ride on the Route 66 with Myndvr s original Series: A Road to Remember Ansen of television programs or films on the personal VR screen in Kinogröße Training the mind with different apps Compare and meeting with colleag: inside and friend: inside on Vive Sync

HTCS Chairman and CEO Cher Wang explains:

Meditation, stretch, brain exercises and streaming our favorite broadcasts or even meeting with friend: inside or colleague: inside in VR by means of Vive Sync allows a device that is easy and compact enough to fit into a bag.

The Vive Flow offers according to HTC:

The ability to immerse yourself from the VivePort App Store at any time and from anywhere in a series of more immersive experiences and using the Android smartphone as a controller A wireless connection with 5G-enabled Android smartphones to stream TV broadcasts and films from the favorite platforms Meeting with colleag: inside and friend: inside in realistic virtual environments via Vive Sync

(...)

Thanks to the double hinge design and the soft facial pad, it can be folded up on a compact format and take away easily anywhere. Through the unique hinge of the Vive Flow, it adapts to different head shapes and sizes. The facial pad is inspired by the highly praised Vive Focus 3 and can be easily and quickly replaced thanks to the magnetic connections. This allows the Vive Flow to be shared with others. (...) The Vive Flow is equipped with 3D spatial audio and can also be connected to external Bluetooth headphones.

Relaxation to your heart s content

After the launch of the Vive Flow, HTC Vive also introduces a special VivePort subscription. The subscription costs 5.99 euros a month and offers unlimited access to a wide range of immersive apps for well-being, brain training, productivity, casual games and exclusive content such as a LO-FI room designed like a cozy cafe.

Prices, accessories and availability

For the Vive Flow, a matching carrying case will be available. A small but powerful 10,000 MAH-Vive Powerbank can be purchased separately and provides additional battery life for long VR sessions.

The Vive Flow will be available at a price of 549 euros (RRP) under Vive.com/Vive-Flow. The pre-order phase starts today today. Each: R pre-order: In receives the official Vive Flow Tote Bag and a gift packet with seven additional content.

Uploadvr.com Editor David Heaney has already tried the device and refers to it as the most lightest and comfortable headset he has ever worn. After the 45-minute demo, he felt like he could have maintained the glasses all day.

A disadvantage, however, had been that he had to readjust without a safe seated headband several times by hand by pushing the slightly forward sluggish glasses back to the head. The visual quality had reminiscent of a slightly glossy quest 2; With a minimum narrower field of view as larger headsets . An interesting detail from the report are the planning for the introduction of hand tracking, which at some point in the future should be added.

Negative Heaney s impressions of positional tracking, which could also have suffered among numerous reflections in the room: the spatial capture case is not as solid as with other headsets, but is a welcome supplement compared to old 3DOF systems as the Oculus Go .

For a belonging damper, the performance of the native of the chip had taken care of: not the only one of the programs presented (not final) have managed to keep the liquid frame rate so important for VR - although it is only 75 pictures per second. HEAEY therefore believes that Qualcomm s stuck obsolete XR1 chip in the device.