The two best VR headsets you can buy right now are the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. They offer the most immersive VR experiences, especially when coupled with motion controllers that replicate your hands in the virtual world. 。
But these headsets are expensive and require a powerful gaming PC, which is often pricey. That's why standalone VR headsets are gonna step in and jump-start VR. 。
HTC's announced plans to release a version of its Vive headset that doesn't need to a PC to work. But there's one big catch. 。
SEE ALSO:Boring Motorola is making smartphones exciting again 。At this week's China Joy gaming and digital entertainment expo in China and Asia, the Taiwanese tech company teased a standalone VR headset that it only plans to sell in China. HTC didn't reveal when it'd launch or how much it'll cost. 。
The self-contained Vive headset will be powered by a Qualcomm chipset (based off the current Snapdragon 835 chips in flagship Android phones according to。 TechCrunch 。TechCrunch 。
) and its built-in motion-tracking technology. Users will access software from HTC's Viveport app store. 。
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 。 Thanks for signing up! 。 We won't be missing much if China's headset is the same as the U.S.'s, but 。 TechCrunch 。 says they'll be different inside. Whereas the U.S. version will use Google's WorldSense technology which utilizes six degrees of freedom (6DoF) for head-tracking, Qualcomm's could support only three degrees of freedom (3Dof)， which is what mobile VR headsets like the Samsung Gear VR currently use. Although, we're not sure about that claim since Snapdragon 835 chip supports 6DoF tracking for VR. 。
Mashable 。
has reached out to HTC for clarification on the differences — if there are any — between the Chinese headset and the U.S. version. 。
Everything you need to get a high-end VR experience is built into a standalone VR headset, no extra hardware required. 。
Otherwise, the only difference appears to be the software platform. The U.S. version of the headset will be based off Google's Daydream, and China's will be based off Viveport. Seeing as how Google is blocked in China, it makes sense for HTC to use an alternative app store for that specific market. 。
It's exciting to see standalone VR headsets start shipping by the end of the year. As neat as mobile VR is, it's just not as good as PC-based VR headsets. The graphics are always crappier and certain headsets like the Gear VR only work with specific phones. 。
Like I said when I tried Intel's Project Alloy prototype headset, if VR is ever to gain mass appeal, standalone VR headsets will be the way to go. Everything you need to get a high-end VR experience is built into the headset, no extra hardware required. 。
With VR headsets moving in this direction, it should come as no surprise that HTC's not the only one planning to launch a standalone VR headset. Facebook-owned Oculus is reportedly working on a self-contained version of its Rift headset. The device, codenamed "Pacific" and also said to be based off Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips, could cost as low as $200 and launch next year. 。
Featured Video For You。
(责任编辑：焦點)
MashReads Podcast: What makes a good summer read?
The Latina Disney princess we've been waiting for is here in 'Elena of Avalor'
That's not the Batmobile. It's Ferrari's new, already
How the Apple Watch wants to be the first fitness tracker for people in wheelchairsSound the alarms: Simone Biles finally met Zac EfronWhat brands need to know about virtual reality
Virtual reality (VR) is all the rage. Premium publishers like USA Today, the New York Times, and AOL
...[详细]Is Toyota planning flying cars? They just patented an 'aero car' fuselage
Will the next Toyota Sienna be a flying minivan? Probably not. Still, it seems Toyota is thinking ab
...[详细]Singapore's K+ is a celebration of fine local design
SINGAPORE -- The little red dot hasn't always been known as a hub of design talent, butstepping into
...[详细]Mr. Potato Head received an interesting makeover for charity
Will we even recognize Mr. Potato Head inToy Story 4?Mr. Potato Head has gone through a few makeover
...[详细]SINGAPORE -- Getting stuff done at the bank often involves having to waste part of your day standing
...[详细]What is this 'Friends' background actor chewing on?
Background actors: Experts at mouthing fake conversation, laughing silently and avoiding eye contact
...[详细]
I guess Taylor is picking up the tab at the next squad night out. Pop queen and Grammy winner Taylor
...[详细]Learn how to negotiate your salary in our next #BizChats
Salaries. It's the elephant in the room, the bush many professionals spend too much time beating aro
...[详细]Uber's $100M settlement over drivers as contractors may not be enough
UPDATE: Sept. 7, 2016, 4:41 p.m. EDT
。 A ruling in a different case on Wednesday, Sept. 7 may have ch
...[详细]Giants pitcher makes a miracle catch while arguing with an umpire
This week has been phenomenal for awesome catches made on accident.After an arguably botched call on
...[详细]
