HTC Vive Black Friday Deals Include £250 off Vive Cosmos Elite Kit

HTC Vive Cosmos Elite

As is now becoming commonplace, Black Friday isn’t a single day of amazing deals, expanding to a whole weekend and now several weeks. Today, HTC Vive has announced its latest raft of deals, where customers could save up to £250 GBP on the latest virtual reality (VR) hardware.

VIVE Pro Eye

A the top of the pile for discounts is the Vive Cosmos Elite Full Kit with HTC Vive knocking a whopping £250 off the entire kit. Normally £899, the deal drops the cost down to £649.00, a great all-in-one bundle for those with a VR-capable PC. The kit comes with SteamVR 1.0 base stations and the latest Vive controllers. Specification wise it offers a combined resolution of 2880×1770 (1440×1700 per eye) using an LCD display, 110-degree field of view (FoV), a hinged front to easily drop in and out of VR, built-in headphones and IPD adjustment.

If you’ve already got a SteamVR setup and want to upgrade then the Vive Cosmos Elite headset has £150 off, dropping the price to £399. Or in the same range, the original Vive Cosmos with its inside-out tracking is available with a £200 saving, costing a competitive £499.

HTC Vive isn’t stopping there. Going into its pro range the Vive Pro Full Kit is on sale for £919.00, saving customers £200 on the regular retail price. If you really want to step up further there’s always the Vive Pro Eye with its in-built eye tracking. That’s currently £1,099.00, a reduction of £200.

Vive Cosmos

It’s not just VR headsets HTC Vive is discounting, the Wireless Adaptor Full Pack and Vive Deluxe Audio Strap prices have also been slashed. The Wireless Adaptor is now £209.00 rather than £359.00, whilst the Audio Strap comes in at £79.99, a saving of £30. All these offers are available via the UK website from today until 29th November 2021.

Expect more VR Black Friday deals in the coming deals in the coming days. As they’re announced, VRFocus will keep you updated.

HTC Vive Pro Facial Tracker For Sale In The U.S. This Month

HTC’s Vive Facial Tracker will be available for purchase in the United States starting March 24 for $129.99.

The face-tracking accessory is compatible with the Vive Pro, a headset which accounts for just over 2 percent of headsets in use on Valve’s Steam. As of this writing, Vive Pro is only in stock starting at $1,199 for a full kit.

The Facial Tracker is also compatible with the Vive Pro Eye which comes with eye tracking for $200 more than Vive Pro. If you tacked on three of the newly announced third-generation Vive Trackers which sell for $129.99 each, HTC is selling what amounts to a complete body and face-tracking VR headset solution for just under $2,000. You of course need to also have a PC capable of driving high end VR.

HTC claims the Facial Tracker “provides accurate real-time depiction of almost the entire lower facial area in VR” by tracking “38 facial movements across the lips, jaw, teeth, tongue, chin, and cheeks.” It is a dual camera accessory with a 60Hz tracking rate and a infrared illuminator that HTC claims provides tracking latency of 6ms.

We’re expecting HTC to announce a new standalone VR headset sometime this year but it is unclear what market the device will target. The device is also likely to use inside-out tracking and operate within the tight power consumption and processing constraints of a mobile chipset like the XR2. That means it is likely these full body tracking accessories will remain tied to the Vive Pro line of headsets, but we’ll have to see what HTC has in store.

Community Download: Should HTC Completely Give Up On Consumer VR?

Community Download is a weekly discussion-focused articles series published (usually) every Monday in which we pose a single, core question to you all, our readers, in the spirit of fostering discussion and debate. For today’s Community Download, we want to know if you think HTC should just accept the writing on the wall and completely give up on consumer VR?


Today HTC announced that its upcoming Cosmos Play headset, the cheaper version of its new Cosmos line that seemed marketed as a more affordable consumer option, is now no longer a consumer device at all. In fact, they’re pivoting that headset to focus on enterprise customers instead.

If you’ve been following VR for at least a few years now, this probably doesn’t come as a big shock to you. Following the breakout success of the HTC Vive in 2016 as the first-ever room-scale consumer VR headset, launched in partnership with Valve as the flagship of SteamVR, they haven’t made many choices that put consumers first. From the HTC Vive Pro, Pro Eye, Vive Focus, Cosmos, and now Cosmos Play, not to mention several other variations of those brands, they’ve had enterprise customers at the forefront for a while now.

Back in January we published an editorial covering this exact topic, essentially claiming that HTC is going to need to make this pivot if they want to stay relevant in VR. Seven months later, that notion is coming to fruition it seems.

So, we’ve reached a big fulcrum point here for HTC. The ultimate question hanging over its head, a company that still lists several VR headsets on its website as available to purchase for consumers, including the more expensive higher-end version of the Cosmos, the Cosmos Elite. is: Should HTC finally and completely give up on consumer VR? Why or why not? Should they plan a comeback in the future?

Let us know down in the comments below!

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‘Sync’ is HTC Vive’s Step Into the World of Online Collaboration

Vive Sync header

With many countries in lockdown and those staff that can now have to work from home, online meeting platforms such as Zoom or Google Hangouts have become even more important for companies worldwide. Current technology means that these can range from simple video conferences all the way up to interactive discussions using virtual or augmented reality (VR/AR) technology. HTC Vive has now added its hat into the ring with the beta launch of Vive Sync.

Vive Sync
Image credit: HTC Vive/2 Bears Studio

First revealed back in 2018, Vive Sync was initially created by 2 Bears Studio (Super Puzzle Galaxy, Arcade Saga) as an internal collaboration tool between its worldwide offices. Since that announcement, the platform has been in a closed beta, accessible by invitation only. That changes today as Vive Sync moves into an open beta phase for business and their employees to test out.

Compatible with all of HTC Vive’s headset range, from Vive Cosmos and the Vive Pro Eye to standalone headset Vive Focus Plus, Vive Sync also supports a viewing mode on Android and iOS mobile devices. The platform has a range of useful features to make VR meetings immersive and customisable, from avatars to importing useful files.

Supporting up to 30 attendees simultaneously, Vive Sync has a variety of meeting rooms depending on user preference. Teams can create their own avatars simply by taking a selfie which gives them a base to work from, adjusting further by selecting body types, hairstyle, skin tone, glasses and other accessories. There’s even full-body tracking for natural movement representation.

Vive Sync
Image credit: HTC Vive/2 Bears Studio

When it comes to working in Vive Sync the platform integrates with Microsoft OneDrive and OneDrive so users can securely access their files in VR, from PowerPoints to PDFs and videos. The same goes for 3D models. Thanks to support for FBX and OBJ files, as well as Unity Asset Bundles, importing and reviewing 3D assets is also possible.

Vive Sync is being designed so that’s it’s hardware-agnostic much like retail platform Viveport. While it’s just HTC Vive headsets which are supported, to begin with, PC VR devices like Oculus Rift as well as Oculus Quest are slated to receive support by the end of the year.

For further details on Vive Sync check out this webinar from David Sapienza, AVP Content Production at HTC Vive. When more features are rolled out VRFocus will let you know.

HTC Discontinues Vive Pro and Focus Models, Reduce Price on Pro Eye Kit

HTC confirmed that the HTC Vive Pro and HTC Vive Focus headsets are now discontinued and will be replaced by their newer equivalents, the Vive Pro Eye and Vive Focus Plus, moving forward.

UploadVR reached out to HTC to confirm that Vive Pro and Vive Focus are now discontinued, after they were appearing in varying levels of availability on both the HTC consumer and enterprise sites. A HTC spokesperson confirmed that the Vive Pro and the Vive Focus “are on remaining unit sell-through and are end of life.”

This means that the headsets are discontinued but may still be available for purchase in certain regions until HTC sell through their remaining stock.

The newer Vive Pro Eye and the Vive Focus Plus headsets will still be available as the equivalent option for the now discontinued standard models. The Vive Pro Eye Full Kit has also now been reduced in price accordingly, down to $1399 — the price of the now-discontinued Vive Pro Full Kit.

“Overall, we’re simplifying our product families to Cosmos (Consumer), Vive Pro Eye (Enterprise) and Focus Plus (Stand-alone), so these changes reflect the approach,” said an HTC spokesperson. There are also new bundle configurations available for the Vive Pro eye and Focus Plus, to allow for different warranty and base station configurations.

The changes come just after HTC introduced new options to their Vive Cosmos line, including a cheaper Cosmos Play headset and a pricier Cosmos Elite headset, which uses SteamVR tracking and is now available for pre-order.

What do you think of these changes to the HTC headset lineup? Let us know in the comments below.

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HTC Aims To Host 2020 Vive Ecosystem Conference In VR, Citing Coronavirus

The return of HTC’s annual Vive Ecosystem Conference later this month aims to be held, for the first time, in VR, spurred in part by the ongoing Coronavirus crisis.

Vive China President Alvin Wang Graylin confirmed the news today on Twitter. The conference will be held on the Engage platform on March 19, starting at 5:30 pm Pacific. Developed by Titanic VR creator Immersive VR Education, Engage is a social platform designed for education and training, allowing speakers to host workshops and talks. It can be used both in and out of VR.

For the past few years the Vive Ecosystem Conference has been held in China. Typically the company reveals new features and hardware at the show, though most of the announcements are directed at the Chinese VR market first and foremost. There’s also panels and networking opportunities, which are expected to feature in this virtual version too.

Speaking to Upload, Graylin said that HTC had been considering a virtual conference already, but the outbreak of the coronavirus — which lead to the cancellation of events like MWC and GDC with more likely to follow — spurred the company on.

Many details about the conference are still to be announced, but Graylin confirmed it will feature audio tracks for both English and Chinese languages and will also be live streamed on YouTube. The real question, though, is if the event can be pulled off smoothly. HTC hasn’t mentioned anything about caps on virtual attendance so we’re not sure how many people could join a keynote speech, for example.

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HTC Vive Pro Eye Gets A Price Cut And New Bundles

Hot off the heels of introducing new models of its Vive Cosmos consumer headset, HTC is today introducing two new editions of its enterprise-focused Vive Pro Eye device, along with a small price cut.

The Vive Pro Eye itself is now down to $1,399/£1,299 from $1,599/£1,499. Initially introduced last year, the Vive Pro Eye is very similar to the HTC Vive Pro, boasting improved ergonomics and screen resolution over the original Vive. As the name suggests, though, the Vive Pro Eye features eye-tracking, which can be used as a form of VR input or foveated rendering.

The first new offering for the kit is the $/1,599£1,551 Vive Pro Eye Office. This comes packaged with HTC’s ‘Vive Enterprise Business Warranty & Service’. The second is the $2,350/£2,280 Vive Pro Eye Office Arena Bundle. This adds in an extra two SteamVR 2.0 base stations, allowing for wider tracking areas (up to 10 m by 10m) and is fitted with a 20m fiber cable. As these extras suggest, this is intended for people using VR across a wide area, like arcades.

This news comes just after HTC revealed new bundles for the Vive Cosmos, including a cheaper Cosmos Play option and a SteamVR faceplate option for $899. Cosmos is HTC’s consumer-focused offering whereas Vive Pro Eye is largely intended for enterprise customers, though there’s nothing stopping VR enthusiasts picking it up. Judging by these prices, though, you’ll need deep pockets.

Does this Vive Pro Eye price cut have you considering picking up HTC’s headset? Let us know in the comments below!

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Enterprise-Focused HTC Vive Pro Eye Now Comes in ‘Office’ & ‘Arena’ Bundles

To say HTC Vive has an extensive lineup of virtual reality (VR) headsets is no underestimation, covering enterprise, consumer and standalone models. When it comes to business use the HTC Vive Pro Eye sits as the flagship product, offering integrated Tobii eye-tracking to support a range of features such as analytics. Today, the company has announced a reduction in the Vive Pro Eye’s price as well as two new bundle options. 

VIVE Pro Eye
HTC Vive Pro Eye – Arena Bundle

Announced at CES 2019 the HTC Vive Pro Eye went on sale in Europe in the May and North America the following month for $1,599 USD. That base price which includes the newer 2.0 base stations and Vive controllers has now been reduced to $1,399.

As for the bundles, HTC Vive Pro Eye Office bundle comes in at $1,599 and includes everything mentioned above plus Vive Enterprise Business Warranty & Services (formerly called Vive Enterprise Advantage). This service offers an expedited customer service experience and a two-year limited commercial-use warranty in a single package.

The HTC Vive Pro Eye – Arena Bundle is for commercial premises wanting to offer large play areas. For $2,350 the bundle provides customers with two additional SteamVR 2.0 base stations for play spaces up to 33′ x 33′ (10m x 10m) and a 20m fiber cable.

VIVE Pro Eye

“Companies today need access to a diverse set of hardware and VR solutions built for their specific needs, and we developed these offerings to provide our enterprise customers with increased choice and the important tools and services to make VR an integrated tool within their business,” said Yves Maitre, CEO, HTC, in a statement. “As business use cases for extended reality become more prominent and diverse, the new Vive Pro Eye series delivers multiple ways to address the majority of VR use cases today.”

Both the Vive Pro Eye Office and Pro Eye Office Arena Bundle will be available in Q2 2020.

HTC Vive has been making all sorts of headset announcements this year, dropping the headset price of the HTC Vive Pro to £599/$599 and the HTC Vive Pro Starter Pack is now £899. Or then there’s all the new Vive Cosmos news. For further HTC Vive updates, keep reading VRFocus.

Vive Developer Jam 2020: Three Days, Late Nights & Eye Tracking Dedication

Videogame jams are quite popular within the indie community, offering a chance for developers to not only network in a casual environment but more importantly, throw around some crazy ideas they might not necessarily make in their professional lives. January saw HTC Vive hold its first developer jam in five years, created in collaboration with Admix, Corsair and VRFocus. The jam saw 11 teams compete for prizes by utilising the latest virtual reality (VR) hardware, coming up with fun, innovative solutions over an intense weekend. 

Rather than simply making any old VR videogame or app, participants had a little more structure thanks to the hardware on offer. Each team had two HTC Vive Pro Eye’s to play with – the company’s latest enterprise-focused headset – meaning eye-tracking needed to feature in some way. For additional points, they could also use a lip tracking prototype module, Admix’s advertising software development kit (SDK), Vive’s hand-tracking SDK or TgO’s upcoming etee hand controller to showcase novel ways of implementing these features in VR applications.

Starting late Friday evening the teams had until 1pm on Sunday to make a working prototype of their idea which could then be shown to the judges. Participants could use this time however they wished, with Goldsmiths University London supplying the Vive Developer Jam with a location open 24 hours. While some opted for rest (and much-needed sleep) others found the energy to work through the night in a bid to create a polished, playable project capable of winning.

Teams weren’t alone in creating these VR experiences as it was very much a community-style event. To help aid them from idea to implementation were a group of mentors with a wealth of experience, from Goldsmiths University, Unity, HTC Vive, Tobii, NBC Universal, North Breeze Entertainment, Litho and FundamentalVR.

Vive Developer JamThe Vive Developer Jam wasn’t just about learning and using the latest VR kit, there were lots of goodies to win as well. On offer were some coveted prizes, with the grand prize winner taking home a powerful Quadro P6000 GPU provided by Nvidia. TgO provided an etee developer kit, Litho supplied its AR controller, Blend Media offered 10x tickets to Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds Immersive Experience and Tobii gave away five of its 4C Eye Trackers.

So onto the winners:

  • 1st Place – Active Listening Training VR –  Using Eye Tracking, Lip Tracking, Body movements and a custom experimental Machine Learning Framework, the team prototyped a VR solution that utilises virtual agents that respond to your non-verbal behaviour with different emotional states.
  • 2nd Place – Munch Mania – A roomscale videogame which used the lip tracking module. Players had to each as much food as possible, avoiding the chillies which could set the player on fire. Using a Vive Tracker an external person could introduce milk to drink, cooling the VR player down.
  • 3rd Place – Illusion – A VR puzzle game about optical illusions. The title exaggerates the effect of visual illusions in real life, so players can have an immersive visual illusion experience in-game. The videogame includes 4 types of optical illusion: Size Constancy Illusion, Impossible Objects, Figure-ground Illusion, Colour and Brightness Illusion.
  • Tg0 etee Award – Bus Boy – A shooting game set on a bus with 360-degree video footage providing the outside environment. Players are on a school trip and use the etee controller to aim and fire paper to cause mischief. Combined Admix SDK, Vive Eye Tracking and Tg0 etee controllers
  • Best Audio Prize – An Eye Mosity​ – A VR Simulator to practice anxiety management in a social setting using Eye Tracking and Resonance audio.

To see the Vive Developer Jam in action take a look at the compilation video below. For further VR game jam news, keep reading VRFocus.

Disclosure: Admix is the parent company of VRFocusVRFocus retains its editorial independence.

HTC Cuts Vive Pro Price, Base Headset Now Cheaper Than Cosmos

HTC Vive is cutting the price of its enterprise-focused (and very expensive) PC VR headset, the HTC Vive Pro.

Starting today, the standalone Vive Pro, which includes just the headset alone, costs $599 (or £599). That’s $200 less than its original $799 price. In fact, it’s actually even cheaper than HTC’s new consumer-level VR headset, the Vive Cosmos. That costs $699, but also comes with two hand-tracking controllers and embedded sensors for inside out tracking. The standalone Vive Pro doesn’t have controllers, nor the external SteamVR sensors to track the headset. So, to be clear, the standalone kit is only a viable option if you already own SteamVR base stations and Vive controllers.

$599 also puts Vive Pro’s standalone headset at $200 more than the $399 Oculus Rift S and Oculus Quest.

You can, however, get a Vive Pro, two controllers and two SteamVR 1.0 base stations for the new price of $899. Or you could even upgrade to the ‘Full Kit’, which includes SteamVR 2.0 base stations, for $1199. That’s $200 more than the $999 Valve Index, which also includes 2.0 base stations and its own Index Controllers.

Again, it’s important to stress that Vive Pro is a business-level device. HTC won’t stop consumers from purchasing the kit, but even with these cuts, its price is still very much aimed at companies over consumers.

Vive Pro is still an incredibly expensive proposition, then, and many of the features that headlined the device when it released in 2018 — upgraded resolution and improved comfort — have either been met or surpassed in other products, even some from HTC. Last year, for example, the company launched the Vive Pro Eye, which is essentially the same device but with eye-tracking. That device hasn’t received a price cut today ($1,599 for the full kit). Cosmos, too, beats Pro’s resolution.

Earlier this week HTC canceled appointments with the press at CES 2020. At the time the company told us that it had a “new vision” for Vive that it would share later in the year, likely around Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month. We speculated that perceived struggles with the launch of the Vive Cosmos might mean that the company is doubling down on its enterprise business. Cutting the price of the original Vive Pro might support that theory.

Would you get a Vive Pro at this new price? Let us know in the comments below!

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