Last month we got a look at Valve’s virtual reality headset that it has developed in collaboration with HTC. The Vive VR headset is likely to be released later this year but initially the company is only going to provide units to developers so that they can build experiences and apps. Valve is now accepting applications from developers who would like to get their hands on a development kit.
Unlike Oculus which sells its latest development kit of the Rift headset for $350, the Valve Vive VR headset development kit will be sent out for free to selected developers.
The company says that units will start shipping this spring in batches, and cautions about the possibility that supplies will be limited. If you’re willing to put your application in, better not waste any time.
Alongside the headset, developers who get selected by Valve will receive two base stations which can scan a 15-by-15-foot area of the room with tracking lasers. Two custom motion controllers, one for each hand, will also be included.
Valve is not catering to casual users at this point in time, you genuinely have to be a developer in order to apply for its Vive VR headset. Applications require a company name, team size and even a description of the project you’re going to build using Vive.
Filed in . Read more about HTC, HTC Vive, Valve and Virtual Reality (VR). Source: arstechnica