HTC announced today (June 6th) that in response to its current strategy to expand its Metaverse development, it will launch its first integratedMetaverse Platform VIVERSEThe Desire 22 pro smartphone will also work with financial holding companies, telecommunications companies and other businesses to jointly create application scenarios for metaverse business, economy, entertainment, art and culture, shopping and life.
According to HTC's global innovation and technology benchmark, HTC Asia Pacific General Manager Huang Zhaoying, the Metaverse has become the development blueprint for many technology companies. HTC, with more than 20 years of leading technology and advantages in mobile communications and VR virtual reality, is opening the fastest door to the Metaverse through smartphones, which are inseparable from people's daily lives.
The Desire 22 pro features a 6.6-inch screen with a 20:9 aspect ratio, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a Full HD+ (1080 x 2412) resolution. It's powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, expandable via a microSD card. The 18mAh battery supports 4520W wired fast charging, 15W wireless fast charging, and reverse charging. It's also IP67-rated for water and dust resistance.
In terms of camera, Desire 22 pro is equipped with a 3200-megapixel video lens, a main lens corresponding to a 6400-megapixel wide-angle lens, a 1300-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens that supports HDR shooting effects, and a 500-megapixel depth of field lens.
In terms of Metaverse applications, Desire 22 pro not only corresponds to the VIVERSE Metaverse platform, but is also compatible with the previously launchedLIVE Flow, and can also trade digital assets through Market and World, and enter various shared virtual spaces. In addition, you can quickly create a VIVE Avatar virtual clone that supports the VRM standard and can be presented as a full-body virtual avatar (Full-body Avatar), which can be applied to various VIVERSE services.
With VIVE Wallet, users can securely and easily manage their personal virtual assets, purchase NFTs through VIVE Market, and in the future, use Wallet as a personal digital pass on VIVERSE. Transactions will also support digital assets such as Ethereum and Polygon cryptocurrencies.
The Desire 22 pro will be available in two colors: "Shimmering Gold" and "Starry Night Black" with a suggested retail price of NT$11990. It is expected to go on sale from July 7st at the HTC online store, designated e-commerce channels PCHOME Shopping, MOMO Shopping, YAHOO Shopping Mall, Senao Online, Far EasTone friDay Shopping, and Shopee Shopping. It can be paired with designated mobile phones with Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and Far EasTone Telecommunications starting at NT$1, and a limited number of "Metaverse Launch Early Bird Gift Packs" will be given away, including the "HTC Wireless Charging Pad", "HTC Desire 0 pro Double-Material Shockproof Case", and "Exclusive Limited Edition Cat".
In addition, the combination with HTC VIVE Flow is priced at NT$23490.
Expanding the Metaverse Application Market Ecosystem
In addition to announcing the launch of the Desire 22 pro smartphone compatible with the VIVERSE metaverse platform, HTC also announced that it will cooperate with more companies to create more rich and immersive entertainment life experiences, and will follow the WebXR open source standard to create various metaverse application services. This time, it also announced that it will work with the Kaohsiung City Government to build a full-scale entertainment metaverse center. Through live broadcasts of events, exhibitions and performances, NFT transactions and other application service demonstrations, it will drive Kaohsiung's local industries to invest in the metaverse ecosystem. In addition, it will cooperate with Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone Telecommunications to create high-quality metaverse service content exclusively for telecom operators in the future.
In addition, HTC will collaborate with China CITIC Financial Holdings and Far Eastern Commercial Bank to provide banking services in the Metaverse, gradually migrating various real-world financial services to the Metaverse. For example, they will establish a virtual Lohas space for Far Eastern Commercial Bank Wealth Management, launch immersive interactive courses and VIP financial management seminars, and plan to provide digital asset-related services and activities in the future to form a complete business model. China CITIC Financial Holdings will launch the first wave of activities for players who log in to the Metaverse, combining gaming and learning, to integrate financial services into the Metaverse space and continue to create a new type of interactive experience.
HTC also announced a collaboration with renowned Asian photographer Joshua Lin to exhibit his NFT artwork "Quiet Ink. White Space" in the VIVERSE metaverse. It also formed an alliance with "ZombieClub," co-hosted by Shawn Yue, to launch the "AWAKEN" metaverse online exhibition, which will bring the works of Fameme, a Taiwanese contemporary cultural experimental artist, to the VIVERSE metaverse for display.
The collaboration with Bandai Namco Pictures will bring the original content "BIRDIE WING - Golf Girls' Story" to the Metaverse and launch the "BIRDIE WING" Metaverse Art Gallery. Furthermore, collaborations with Jeric Chen, the world's leading Chinese Metaverse singer, and renowned author Cai Shiping will create a new fan interaction and communication experience through the VIVERSE Metaverse platform.
