HTC has not even begun making the Vive available in Singapore directly, but already they are moving on. A wireless version of the Vive is expected to be showcased, immediately resolving many issues facing the headset. Whilst the wireless version will only be a prototype, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we consumer versions appear soon. Singaporean gamers can only hope that this version will be available to deliver directly to Singapore.
image courtesy: youtube.com
The evolution of the HTC Vive
Valve recently announced that they were making their technology open source, and HTC were courting hardware developers. Valve’s tactic appears to have paid off. Intugame, a Bulgarian-based company, is developing a version of the headset that is wireless. Instead, the company has developed a wireless device that plugs into the headset and transmits the data to the user’s computer. Intugame’s new device was developed with their proprietary SDK, Quark VR.
image courtesy: intugame.com
Intugame’s community manager Victoria Victorova explains in a blog on 31 August more about the device. “The way the headset will become wireless is “through a small gadget, connected to the headset, but not wired with cables to the PC itself. Instead, the small transmitter, that may be placed in the pocket of the user, sends and receives the signal between the PC and the HTC Vive through Wi-Fi.”
Image a world without cables. Image courtesy: gamespresso.com
Those of you familiar with VR will know the main issue facing the technology is latency. Wireless connections by their nature tend to be more strongly affected by these issues. Intugame VR appears to be aware of this, however, saying, “Getting the experience to feel seamless through Wi-Fi, keeping in mind the inevitable connection delay, was a huge challenge, but we’re getting extremely close to being able to show it in action!”
image courtesy: polygon.com
Intugame says that they are working together with Valve on this project, which should lead to some promising technology. Victorova writes that “We’re incredibly happy the guys from Valve are so open to cooperation and improving their amazing creation!”
Intugame says that the headset will be ready for testing later this year. Pricing, availability and so forth is a long way off, but it won’t be cheap. Here’s to hoping a Singapore release is on the cards when it appears.
source: gamespresso.com, intugame.com
