Tech sites are abuzz with news that HTC will soon release a smartphone that supports its Vive virtual reality platform. That's after a leaked video that surfaced online gave a hint that a Vive smartphone is in the works.
The promotional video, which tech reporter Evan Blass tweeted, has towards the end of it the image of a smartphone with the brand "HTC Vive," Mashable reports. Vive is HTC's VR headset, but until that video came out there has been no word about whether the company would release a VR smartphone.
HTC 2017? pic.twitter.com/ppONWlT5Mr
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) January 8, 2017
The video that shows an HTC Vive phone towards the end was a promotion of HTC's innovation in phone designs, giving viewers a peek at the designs that the company is developing. The clip, which was originally uploaded on vimeo, takes a swipe at the lack of originality of other smartphone brands when it comes to design.
The video has since been taken down from Vimeo and appears to not have been meant for publicity, according to Android Authority. Still, it got many tech enthusiasts and analysts excited about what HTC is cooking up.
Android Headlines says having a VR smartphone would be a wise move that may increase HTC smartphone sales considering the popularity the Vive VR headset has gained in recent years. The number of smartphones that can be used with Samsung's Gear VR and Google Daydream, Vive's competitors, is also limited.
Mashable believes an HTC Vive smartphone would be a "smart move" towards increasing the use of smartphones for VR, a more affordable alternative to the high-end VR headsets. That trend has been gaining traction, with VR headsets that require a smartphone to work, such as the Samsung Gear VR, beating the high-end ones in holiday sales last year.
HTC will hold an event on January 12 where it is expected to announce upcoming smartphones, including the rumored HTC U Ultra, U Play, and One X10. Will a phone called HTC Vive with VR capability be unveiled at the event? Let's wait and see.
