Virtual reality (VR) has always been an impressive feat, with games utilising the out-of-body experience to elevate gaming to another level. Now, HTC have released a completely new VR experience in which relaxation and of course, a variety of content is the key.
HTC's VIVE Flow Glasses / Picture Credit: HTC VIVE
The product
HTC’s VIVE Flow immersive glasses have been created to bring an impressive VR experience to its customers, anywhere, anytime. The portable glasses provide a multitude of options, from transportation to a delightful café or beach-side room, to games and even the ability to watch Netflix or YouTube.
The glasses are designed to provide relief at the end of a stressful day, or, with the many apps users can have access to (once installed), take relaxation to a whole other level.
Users will need access to an Android mobile device to use the glasses, and will need to connect to the internet for the best experience.
So, what did I think?
When I heard that I would be given the chance to review HTC’s impressive VR glasses, I was eager to see what the product had in store, and if it was worth the £499 being charged for it; it’s safe to say that I was very, very impressed.
Despite my age (23) and people believing all young people are masters of technology, I am not one of those people. Setting things up can be complicated at the best of times for me, which is why I was pleased to find that the VIVE Flow glasses were very easy to get to grips with.
The instructions that came with my reviewer’s kit were very simple to understand, leading to a quick and easy set up. Getting the hang of how they worked was genuinely a lot of fun, as this was my first experience with any kind of VR.
The glasses must be connected to a power source in order to work, which I thought odd as the lead I was provided with (to connect to the power bank I received) wasn’t very long; however, I discovered a much longer lead which allowed me to sit back on my couch, and explore the glasses further.
One thing I found not far into my usage of the glasses, was that they are rather heavy on the eyes. About 15-20 minutes in, I began to feel the weight of them on my face, and decided to take a small break.
While they could still be considered light despite their rather bulky appearance, I still felt that, if you are not laid back with your head on a cushion or pillow, that they can become quite weighty after a while.
Having said this, I thought the selection of things to do was brilliant. I had access to a pirate game, a mindfulness app in which I could relax by the seaside, and a trip to Le Louvre in Paris.
This trip to the French capital was brilliant, as I virtually stood in the world’s most famous museum and was told about various pieces of artwork, including the Mona Lisa. I found this genuinely impressive, as the detail on the paintings were excellent.
This experience also allowed me to ride the famous flying machine invented by Leonardo Da Vinci, which was incredible. I was high in the sky looking over a vast landscape, which in VR was very impressive and entertaining.
However, the glasses have a dial around each eye (with numbers from 0 to 6), which controls the focus of what you see. I had mine on the sharpest setting, and still found the images to be a little blurry every now and again.
Despite this, I still enjoyed almost every minute of the VIVE Flow glasses, and as my first experience with VR I can say that I cannot wait to give more experiences like this a try.
Admittedly, I got a little ahead of myself and blundered into this review without checking out the guide. I read the leaflet that told me how to set up, but realised that there is a guide within the VR experience.
Even the tutorial was impressive; once I clicked on it, I was greeted with a spectacular light show that showcases what the glasses were capable of. One moment I was in a field with a deer made out of what seemed to be simply light, next I was face-to-face with a brontosaurus, then a castle stood before me and a dragon soared through the sky.
I would definitely recommend checking this out before anything else, as it really sets the standard for the product.
As for the tutorial itself, I was delighted with how easy the instructions were to understand, both visually and audibly. I was told how to use the phone I was provided with as a controller, and how to exit apps and get the most out of the experience.
The glasses also allow you to mirror your phone in the device, so you can watch YouTube while wearing the glasses, as well as watching your favourite streaming platforms and using any app you have installed on your mobile.
Despite the ever-so-slightly blurry visuals and the somewhat heavy feeling, the HTC VIVE Flow glasses are an excellent product with so many ways to be used.
They hold so much potential, and I really enjoyed being able to test them out; while my package included a mobile device and power banks, the final retail product will not.
When you order VIVE Flow glasses (which are available now), you will receive the glasses, the face gasket and arm pads (already installed), the nose bridge (used to adjust diopters while wearing VIVE Flow), a USB-C cable, microfiber pouch, and a user manual.
Written by Melissa, who you can follow on Twitter @melissajournal
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