HTC has announced a different kind of virtual reality (VR) headset: the Vive Flow, which goes beyond gaming and is designed for entertainment and wellness.
The headset is for those who may be considering getting into VR, but haven't quite found any headsets that they're comfortable with.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about HTC's new Vive Flow headset, including price, pre-order information, and more.
What Is HTC’s Vive Flow?
The Vive Flow is HTC's new immersive VR headset. The headset is "made for wellness and mindful productivity," with a focus on helping you unwind, meditate, and entertain yourself throughout your day.
As explained by Cher Wang, Chairwoman and CEO of HTC in a press release:
With VIVE Flow, HTC is taking technology in a new direction, focusing not on what we do, but on how we feel. Maintaining our wellness has come to the forefront in the last few years, with so many millions feeling stressed every day, so it has never been more important to take time out to calm our minds, and VIVE Flow provides the perfect opportunity to escape our four walls and immerse ourselves in our ideal ambience.
Meditation, gentle stretches, brain training, streaming our favorite shows or even meeting friends or coworkers in VR with VIVE Sync can all be enhanced by a device light and compact enough to fit in our pocket. VIVE Flow represents the next evolution of technology, as we take a more holistic view of how we can make life better.
The headset is said to be lightweight and portable. The idea is that you can have easily take the Vive Flow traveling, without having to worry about where to put all the extra stuff that usually comes with VR headsets, like controllers.
That's because the HTC Vive Flow doesn't come with controllers. Instead, it can be paired with an Android smartphone via Bluetooth connectivity, which then acts as a controller. The headset cannot be paired with iOS devices just yet.
The Vive Flow is designed to be worn like a pair of glasses, are made to fit different head shapes and sizes, and feature an active cooling system that makes the glasses comfortable to wear.
The headset works with the Vive app, and you can cast your phone's apps onto a screen in VR using the Miracast option.
Who Is HTC’s Vive Flow Headset Designed For?
The Vive Flow headset is for those people looking for VR content outside of gaming. It's a simpler, more casual VR headset for those who may be skeptical about current offerings of VR headsets, and who may find what's in the market to be a bit intimidating or complicated—especially for a beginner.
HTC’s focus is on older users, which explains the glasses-like design that these headsets come in, as opposed to the straps that most headsets come in, which younger users may not mind.
How Much Will the HTC Vive Flow Cost?
The Vive Flow will cost $499.00. If you pre-order by the end of October 2021, you will receive gifts worth over $100. These gifts include a carrying case worth $49, seven "VR contents," as well as two months of Infinity Vista.
What's the HTC Vive Flow Release Date?
The Vive Flow headset will officially be released on November 2, 2021, but you can pre-order it until October 31, 2021 on the Vive Flow website if you are in the US or in Europe. Simply click on the blue Pre-order button in the top-right corner of the website and fill in your details.
HTC’s Vive Flow Headsets Are Prioritizing Wellness
VR headsets are often synonymous with gaming. HTC is therefore carving out a new path with the launch of its Vive Flow headset, which prioritize wellness and relaxation.
With more people openly talking about the importance of mental health, it's no surprise that companies like HTC are beginning to incorporate elements of it in their products and emphasizing it in their marketing.