As it is, the world of virtual reality is as futuristic as technology can currently be platformed. The tech allows users to alter their reality and be different people or in a different setting, doing different things. The VR world has grown exponentially over time and has expanded its reach from the most tech savvy to the simply curious.
Nevertheless, virtual reality is evidently no longer a concept for the future, but one of the present. And as such, there are developments in the technology that have become obviously flawed - but companies are fixing this. The world of VR is somewhat limited as it is, with only a handful of activities that can actually be done when in the altered reality.
As C|Net has notes HTC's general manager for VR, Dan O'Brien, referred to 2016 as the year that virtual reality was introduced. On the other hand, 2017 is the year that will establish the future of the technology. His words are true, as the initial hype of VR will not last unless companies like HTC and Facebook make VR headsets more mainstream. HTC, with its Vive Tracker, is looking to do just that.
The Vive Tracker can virtually be attached to any standard device, which will then be tracked in the virtual reality. Theoretically, the device will allow almost any accessory to be used in the altered reality. In a baseball game, for example, a standard baseball bat can be paired with the HTC accessory and can then be used in the game. The experience is meant to feel more realistic, as the player will hold more than a controller, but an actual bat with its heaviness and feel.
"It's evolution in the right direction," the publication quotes IDC analyst Ramon Llamas. "It's answering some of the needs and demands from a hardware perspective." This statement is true because VR has its limits and now HTC is trying to bridge that. There are, however, still financial concerns.
The birth of mobile VR arrived in 2016 as well and is arguably more popular that the likes of Facebook's Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive. This is because mobile headsets are definitely more affordable and require much less. On the other hand, Facebook and HTC require the best computers and are as pricey as VR headsets can come.
The price of the Vive Tracker is still unknown, but the company has confirmed that it will reach the market within the second quarter of the year. The concern, however, is the price. The HTC Vive headset alone costs US$800, with the upcoming accessory to cost above and beyond that. The idea, while novel, will have to overcome its price in the market.
RoadToVR adds that HTC is looking to certify third-party developers who want to make specific purpose-built accessories. This is for the companies that are looking to produce and sell specific items for the VR world such as globes, guns and virtually anything else. At the end of the project, HTC will have a roster of accessories that are ready and can be used with its VR system. And while this is good news for the VR-fanbase, it will only add to the costs of the home setup.
