HTC downplayed leaked images that appeared to show a new fitness-focused VR headset built by the company. Photos and details of the HTC Vive Air leaked online earlier this week to a design award website, but HTC now says the headset is “just a concept.”
“It is exciting to see our concept piece, the VIVE Air VR headset, win an iF Design Award,” the company said in a statement. UploadVR. “Although this is only a concept, the design language has elements and sources of inspiration that you will see elsewhere in our products. We’re not the ones resting on our laurels, so while it’s great to win this award, we’ve got business to do – hopefully we’ll see you at ViveCon on May 11/12. “
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Not this statement all the way Rule out that a similar product is in the works from HTC, but the company is definitely keeping things carefully ambiguous. It’s teasing a new headset to be unveiled at ViveCon next month, but the images and hints we’ve seen so far suggest a business-focused model rather than a general consumer fitness device.
That’s a shame, because VR fitness has something of a moment, and the idea of a specially designed, lightweight and washable headset is an appealing one. With HTC’s consumer business in the doldrums, it may not be a sensible target for the company right now. We’ll just have to wait and see what the company has in store at ViveCon in May.