HTC and Alibaba enables first mass-demonstration of a full functioning VR shopping solution globally

SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 10, 2016 / PRNewswire/ － HTC Corporation ("HTC"), a pioneer in innovative, smart mobile and virtual reality (VR) technology, today is proud to support the unveiling of a breakthrough tether-less VR upgrade kit (preview edition) for VIVE™ VR system developed and produced by TPCAST, a Vive X Accelerator invested company. This kit will enable for the first time, users of high-end PC VR systems to have a fully untethered experience without compromising quality on all current Vive VR devices.

As the current global leader in high-end VR, HTC has continually delivered the most immersive and complete VR experiences on the market. It was the first to enable room-scale VR and 6-DoF controllers to the world, and today, it is the first to demonstrate a seamless tether-less high-end PC VR experience using TPCAST’s “VIVE tether-less upgrade kit” (preview edition). The tether-less upgrade kit will be available for pre-order at 1,499 RMB in limited quantity on www.vive.com/cn starting at 11pm Beijing time on November 11. Order fulfillment will be prioritized to existing customers who can provide a valid Vive serial number. Initial delivery is expected to begin Q1 2017.

At the “Tmall 11/11 Media Center”, Alibaba and HTC jointly demonstrated Alibaba’s new Buy+ mobile VR channel on the latest HTC-powered VR-ready smartphones to 600 journalists gathered from all over the globe. This is the first application to date that allows the completion of actual retail transactions fully in VR, showing China’s gaining leadership in the VR space. HTC Vive and Alibaba have previously announced strategic partnerships relating to Cloud services and VR, as well as Video services cooperation with its Youku subsidiary. Today’s joint VR demonstration is a further strengthening of cooperation across another business section connecting the two firms.

“We are glad to cooperate with Alibaba to enable the first mass-demonstration of a complete VR shopping experience and are honored that they have chosen Viveport M as the preferred download partner for the Buy+ mobile application,” said Alvin W. Graylin, China Regional President of Vive, HTC. “We are also very proud that a Vive X team, TPCAST, has developed such an impactful product in such a short time. It will allow Vive customers worldwide to gain untethered mobility in VR from their existing devices, while satisfying the biggest feature request of potential PC VR customers.”

Zhuoran Zhuang, Head of VR programs at Alibaba, said, “It’s been a pleasure working with the VR market leader, HTC Vive on multiple VR related projects. We are continuously exploring on the next generation of shopping experiences via innovative technology, and looking forward to deeper collaboration with our partners to deliver even more immersive commerce experiences!”

HTC Vive has prepared a number of seasonal promotion deals for VR fans at this year’s “11/11” global shopping festival. This includes Vive plus VR-ready PC sets, complimentary accessories and VR content, interest-free installment, and an upgraded Vive referral program! For more information, please visit: Tmall.com and Vive.com/cn.

About the Vive Virtual Reality System
Vive is a first-of-its-kind virtual reality system developed in partnership by HTC and Valve. Designed from the ground up for room-scale VR, Vive allows true-to-life interactions and experiences thanks to an adjustable headset displaying stunning graphics, two wireless controllers with HD haptic feedback and 360 degree 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. For more information on Vive, please visit www.vive.com.

About HTC
HTC Corporation aims to bring brilliance to life. As a global innovator in smart mobile devices and technology, HTC has produced award-winning products and industry firsts since its inception in 1997, including the critically acclaimed HTC One and HTC Desire lines of smartphones. The pursuit of brilliance is at the heart of everything we do, inspiring best-in-class design and game-changing mobile and virtual reality experiences for consumers around the world. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). www.htc.com