HTC has confirmed that it plans to launch a “metaverse phone” focused on augmented and virtual reality applications. The device has been delayed due to supply chain restrictions, but it looks like the company phone is finally ready to launch.
The Taiwanese brand announced a “Log into the Future” event on its Facebook and Twitter pages on June 28, complete with the Viverse brand. Viverse is an ecosystem of HTC’s AR/VR/XR products and services.
HTC has not explicitly confirmed that this is a smartphone launch, but the accompanying poster does indeed refer to a smartphone. On the right are the volume buttons, on the left is a recess (possibly for the fingerprint scanner), and on the top is a 3.5mm port.
The new smartphone will also be loaded with HTC’s Vive VR and AR apps, given the Viverse branding. So those who fear that Google and Samsung are abandoning their mobile VR efforts may want to check back on the situation on June 28.