HTC Vive Release Date, Price News & Update: VR Headset Will See An April Release, Sets A Steep Challenge For Oculus Rift

Despite almost a year's wait after HTC Vive was first announced in the 2015 Mobile World Congress, HTC is making good on their promise and have officially announced HTC Vive's availability at the 11th hour. Along with verified features, the retail price and content bundle of HTC's Vive Consumer Edition have also been announced.

According to Game Rant, HTC makes the HTC Vive available with two wireless motion controllers, two Lighthouse sensors that work with any room configuration, a Vive Link Box, and a pair of Vive ear buds. Still HTC Vive's 360 degree tracking and room-scale technology makes for a competitive, high quality VR technology.

The Verge reports that the HTC Vive will also have a suite of smartphone features allowing the user to attend to phone calls, receive text messages and receive calendar reminders without disrupting gaming experience. HTC Vive supports both iOS and Android. Physically, HTC Vive is more polished and more ergonomic than Vive Pre. The head-strap and the built in microphone are definite improvements to the Vive Pre.

HTC Vive is powered by Steam VR software essentially ensuring Valve updates for VR games released through Steam. HTC Vive users are also assured of future-proofing where future VR headsets launched by HTC will not render current headsets unusable.

Two games are bundled with each purchase of the HTC Vive. Job Simulator is a virtual simulation of a restaurant kitchen made for robots, while Fantastic Contraption is a game where the players uses tools provided to build machines and overcome hurdles.

We are proud to announce the Vive consumer edition as well as pre-order information https://t.co/Muum1ZOrTm. pic.twitter.com/9Z3YxCfgA8

— HTC Vive (@htcvive) February 21, 2016

Game Rant points out that comparing to the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive makes the motion controls available far sooner that the Oculus Rift does. While HTC Vive retails at $799 with the bundled motion controllers, Oculus Rift retails at $599 without them. The Rift's motion controllers will become available later in 2016 with an estimated cost of $200.

Pre-orders for the HTC Vive VR headset begins on Feb. 29. This latest VR technology offering by HTC officially launches in early April 2016.