All Mode
Last week during the 2018 Vive Ecosystem Conference in China, HTC announced a slew of new features as a part of the Vive Focus system Update 2.0. This update is a major overhaul to the existing interface which includes features like gesture input, 6DoF controller mode, streaming PC VR applications directly to the headset, smartphone integration, and much more.
Stream PC VR Content On-the-Go
The new System Update 2.0 opens up the floodgates of VR content for Vive Focus users as they can now stream PC VR content wirelessly from Steam and Viveport over 5GHz Wi-Fi using the “optimized version” of the Riftcat VRidge application. HTC says that the application has been specifically optimized for Vive Focus so that it can take the advantage of the headset’s higher resolution and the refresh rate.
However, the company suggests a minimum of a 5GHz home Wi-Fi connection for a hassle-free and seamless experience. The company says that, while streaming the PC VR applications to the Vive Focus VR Headset, users can interact with the content directly using an Xbox One Controller, a Vive Focus controller or any third-party controller paired with the PC.
So far the biggest struggle for streaming the wireless content on-the-go has been overcoming the latency issues. So it needs to be seen whether one can directly stream a high-end PC VR game with no lag.
Special Smartphone Integration Features
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=111&v=JJDWV0vWAeQ
The new system update introduces a wide-range of smartphone-to-headset features. Using the built-in Vive Companion app, the Vive Focus users will now be able to receive notifications, messages and even receive calls on any compatible HTC smartphone without the need remove the headset.
Vive Focus users with the latest HTC’s U12+ smartphone can unleash the new phone mirroring capabilities to take content from the phone’s display directly into the Vive Focus VR headset. The company is also said to be working on a feature which will allow streaming non-VR content like games and videos from a smartphone to the headset.
Image: HTC
In one of the images released by the company, a smartphone is being used as a controller for the headset. It’s apparently functioning as an external peripheral attachment or a companion controller to Vive Focus’ official 3DoF controller. The image also shows the phone mirroring the headset’s view on the smartphone display.
6DoF Controller Update and Gesture Inputs
By using its own “proprietary AI computer vision technology” and leveraging the onboard cameras on the Vive Focus, HTC has successfully managed to tweak the Vive Focus’ original controller to be used as a 6DoF controller. The company said that this feature will be available to the developers by Q3 of this year.
Apart from implementing 6DoF, HTC decided to leverage its front-facing cameras for implementing gesture recognition in the applications, using the hand-tracking capabilities of the VR headset. As you can see in the video above, the user swaps through images as well as zooms them when needed. Viveport developers will be getting the gesture recognition SDK in the coming weeks.
Additional Features
The system Update 2.0 brings some very interesting updates that include a ‘Passenger Mode’ which the company claims will extend the battery life an extra hour (now up to four hours). This means that VR Porn enthusiasts can now have some extra time with their intimate sessions.
The update also comes with a pass-through video mode. Switching to this mode is as easy as double-tapping the power button and it allows users to see through to the surrounding environment using the Focus’ front-facing camera without removing the headset.
Over and above, the update lets users download applications directly into the microSD card. The card is into the VR headset with a provision of supporting cards up to 2TB of memory.
Vive Focus is currently available only in China and HTC is likely to announce its global release later this year.
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