HTC goes after business users with $1,200 Vive BE VR headset

09.06.2016
HTC is introducing a Vive virtual reality headset for businesses, available later this month for $1,200. Except for a few extra perks, there's little difference between the Vive Business Edition (BE) and the consumer edition of the headset, which can now be purchased in 24 countries for $799.

The Vive BE can be commercially licensed, will have a dedicated support line and a 12-month warranty. There are also blue highlights on the front of the headset that identifies it as a Vive BE headset. The hardware specifications are the same.

Much like Oculus Rift, the Vive BE headset can be plugged into PCs for virtual reality. Gaming and roaming VR worlds are emerging as popular applications, but HTC sees the headset also being used in the automotive, engineering and medical fields.

For example, the headset could be used to educate medical students on human anatomy or surgery. It could be used to simulate car and building designs.

Other VR headset makers are looking at the enterprise as a big target for other applications. An example is troubleshooting, with field workers using VR headsets to simulate resolution of technical issues.

The Vive BE headset will work with Vive-optimized PCs and workstations, which are used for commercial applications. Dell's Precision workstations HP's Z Workstation will work with Vive BE.

Agam Shah