HTC Vive To Hit Stores In Early 2016

HTC Vive, the virtual reality headset from HTC, is expected to release before this year’s end, although in limited quantities, CNET reported. The headset, to be released globally early next year, was developed in conjunction with Valve, the creator of popular games like Portal and Half-Life.

While interacting with journalists at the TechCrunch Beijing Summit, HTC chief content officer Phil Chen said that VR headsets will take another 3 to 5 before the technology becomes mainstream. He expects a billion VR headset devices to be sold in the next seven or eight years, as reported by CNET.

"It will take some time for it to go to the masses," CNET quoted Chen. He suggested that the device needs to be improved and adequate content produced.

However, Chen did not reveal as to how many units of the Vive headset will be released next year and also remained muted with regard to its price, but said the company wishes to make the device available worldwide, and has been in talks with prospective content partners across the world.

According to the official website, HTC and Valve are already working with a wide range of partners who are building phenomenal Vive experiences, including Google, HBO, Lionsgate, Vertigo Games and many others. At present, most of the content partners are located in Western countries, but Vive team has also started becoming active in Asia, he said.