HTC has unveiled the second generation of its Vive virtual reality headset – Vive Pro.
The headset has new, twin-OLED displays, which the Taiwanese firm says offers a 78% increase in resolution over the current generation device.
The result is sharper, clearer images, HTC says, adding the device also has integrated headphones to improve sound quality.
Virtual reality has reached something of a crossroads, with initial enthusiasm for the platform having faded since Vive, along with Facebook-owned Oculus Rift and Sony’s PlayStation VR, all launched in 2016.
Today in Las Vegas, HTC VIVE™, the leader in room-scale Virtual Reality (VR), announced new hardware upgrades that deliver premium VR experiences to consumers and enterprises with the introduction of Vive Pro and Vive Wireless Adaptor.
Read more – https://t.co/yxdlnOICNt pic.twitter.com/t2BwaIbE4B
— HTC VIVE (@htcvive) January 8, 2018
In its stead, excitement about mixed or augmented reality has grown, with the technology becoming increasingly common on smartphones, notably the iPhone.
But HTC hopes the upgrades offered in the Vive Pro can reignite interest in VR.
HTC’s Daniel O’Brien said: “There’s a clear need in the VR market for a premium VR experience with high-resolution display, integrated audio and the best components available today in a headset.
“Vive Pro offers an immediate upgrade for both VR enthusiasts and enterprises that want to utilise the best VR experience.”
In a further attempt to please consumers, HTC also announced a new wireless adaptor for existing Vive headsets – designed to make the normally wired system more freely used.
HTC confirmed the adaptor would go on sale in the second half of 2018.