Google recently teased that it’s working with HTC on a Daydream virtual reality headset, but before that device is revealed, HTC is launching a new VR headset of its own.
The HTC Link was made official today, and it’s an interesting device that’s different from the HTC Vive and HTC’s upcoming Daydream headset. While the HTC Link works with the HTC U11, the Link doesn’t use the the U11 for its display like Daydream headsets use a phone. Instead, the Link has two 3.6-inch 1080x1200 LCD panels with a 90Hz refresh rate.
Other features of the HTC Link include six degrees of freedom (6DOF) tracking — which hasn’t been included in other smartphone-based VR headsets — a 110-degree field of view and a weight of 554 grams. The HTC Link and its included controllers have lights on them, and it looks like those lights are tracked using a camera that’s also included with the Link.
Unfortunately, HTC has confirmed to UploadVR that the Link will only be sold in Japan. That’s kind of a bummer for folks that are in the market for a new VR headset and can’t or don’t want to shell out the cash for a high-end HTC Vive, but the good news is that Google has said its new Daydream headsets will start coming to market later in 2017, so consumers that want a new mobile-based VR device have that to look forward to.
