HTC plans to start selling the Vive Focus standalone VR system globally “later this year.”
The headset already sells in China for around $635, including local taxes, and offers full freedom of movement for your head paired with a controller that works kind of like a laser pointer. Vive Focus runs apps from HTC’s Viveport store rather than Google’s Play, which runs on the $400 Lenovo Mirage Solo. Both headsets offer the freedom to move around a room, but Facebook’s Oculus Go will work well in a seated position for only $200.
HTC is also releasing the Vive Pro in April for $800 as an upgrade for anyone who uses the original HTC Vive.
It will be interesting to see how the Vive Focus does selling outside China as more headsets enter the market, including developer kits for more capable VR systems like Oculus Santa Cruz.
