This Is HTC's New Vive Focus Standalone VR Headset

HTC on Thursday announced an upgraded version of its standalone Vive Focus headset for virtual reality applications. Aimed at the enterprise market, the new Vive Focus Plus ups the ante with support for dual ultrasonic six degrees for freedom (6DoF) controllers so that users can interact with the virtual environment in the same manner as PC VR headsets like the Vive and Oculus Rift.

The Vive Focus Plus comes with two 6DoF controllers featuring an analog trigger with pressure-sensitive input. HTC envisions developers running with the functionality to create more immersive experiences, though we will obviously have to wait and see how it actually pans out.

This is a standalone headset, meaning it does not require a PC or smartphone—all of the necessary hardware is built into the unit. It is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 processor, same as found in the original Vive Focus. That chip is now two generations old, though, with the Snapdragon 845 and Snapdragon 855 both on the market.

The Vive Focus Plus also uses the same single AMOLED display with a 1660x1600 per lens resolution (2880x1600 effective). Additionally, HTC said it made improvements to the overall comfort of the headset.

Home consumers are not the target audience here. Instead, HTC is targeting enterprise customers. As such, the Vive Focus Plus ships with several professional features, including Kiosk Mode, Gaze Support, and device management tools to remotely enroll, monitor, and manage multiple headsets at once.

HTC did not mention a price, but said the Vive Focus Plus will be available in the second quarter in 25 markets worldwide. In most of those markets, an enterprise license will be included.