Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
HTC Vive now shipping in 2-3 days for new orders, more in-store demos too!
“The era of modern, high-end VR is here! Or well, it will be after you order it and wait months and months for it to ship.” The previous statement is pretty much how it has been for those looking to buy the Oculus Rift or HTCVive ever since the headsets landed on the market earlier this year. The good news is that this situation is about to change, at least for the Vive.
Today HTCproudly announced in a press release that customers who purchase the HTCVive online can now expect it in just two to three business days. That’s a far cry better than the previous wait times of weeks, if not months. It’s also better than the situation that Oculus currently finds itself in, with new Rift orders estimated to hit around August.
In addition to ramping up the shipping speed for online orders, HTCis also increasing the Vive’s brick-and-mortar presence. HTCis expanding in-store demos to more than a hundred new retail locations this month, and we are already seeing the first fruits of that endeavor with the introduction of demos over at select Micro Center locations.
The HTCVive might be more expensive than the Oculus Rift, but its tech is also a bit more advanced, thanks to its motion controllers and a sensor hub that gives users the ability to physically move around within games. Having arguably more advanced tech is already a small advantage for HTC, but if the Vive continues to be easier for consumers to purchase as well, Oculus could find itself losing out to its rival in terms of overall marketshare. Of course, it’s really to early to call at this stage. Hopefully Oculus will soon be able to ramp up its unit production to match the Vive.
What do you think –interested in picking up the HTCVive, now that it easier to find in stock? If not, which VR headset are you most interested in? Playstation VR, something else? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments.
This article originally appeared on our sister site, VR Source – your source for all things VR.
[press]
Seattle, WA – June 7, 2016
– HTCViveTM can now be purchased through
www.vive.com <http://www.vive.com> in
24 countries, shipping within 2-3 business days of purchase. In addition to online availability
from HTC, individuals can now buy the revolutionary Vive virtual reality system in select Microsoft Stores, GameStop and Micro Center locations. Pre-orders placed through these retailers will be fulfilled beginning this week.
Beginning in June, Vive will be demoed in 100 retail locations throughout North America. In addition to current retail demo locations, Microsoft
Stores will expand from 29 to 51 locations, GameStop will increase demo locations from 10 to 40, and Micro Center will add 5 more locations for a total of 10. The demonstrations are open to the general public to experience room-scale virtual reality first-hand
with the variety of content available on Steam®. The full
list of participating locations is available at www.vive.com <http://www.vive.com>.
“Since beginning pre-orders at the end of February and shipping in early April, we’ve seen incredible interest in Vive,” said Dan O’Brien, VP of VR at HTC.
“Working with our retail partners has only enhanced that momentum because more people are able to try the only truly immersive virtual reality offering on the market today.”
Vive is a
first-of-its kind virtual reality system developed in partnership by HTCand Valve,
priced at $799 ($1,149 CAD).
Vive was designed from the ground up for room-scale VR, allowing true-to-life interactions and experiences thanks to an adjustable headset displaying stunning graphics, two wireless controllers with HD haptic
feedback and 360˚ absolute motion tracking. For a convenient and safe experience, Vive incorporates essential functionality from your phone and features a front-facing camera that blends physical elements into the virtual world. Working in concert, this system
immerses you visually, physically and emotionally in the virtual world.
With more than 200 VR offerings now available on Steam,
Vive owners have a wide selection of virtual reality content to choose from that will yield hours upon hours of VR fun.
For more information about Vive, to find a demonstration location or learn where to buy Vive, please visit
http://www.vive.com <http://www.vive.com>.
[/press]