HTC is making it easier for customers to purchase its Vive virtual reality headset.
The tech giant announced today that customers who buy the Vive online will receive their orders within 2-to-3 business days. Previously, there was a backorder delay for folks who bought the $799 device from HTC, which originally opened pre-orders for the Vive in late February and began shipping in April.
In addition, customers can now purchase the Vive in select Microsoft Stores, GameStop, and Micro Center locations. Microsoft and GameStop already hosted demo areas for the headset, but now some stores will let customers buy the device on the spot. Those who previously pre-ordered the Vive through these retailers will have their orders “fulfilled beginning this week,” HTC said.
HTC, which has its North American headquarters in Bellevue, Wash., also announced today that the Vive will be demoed in additional retail locations across North America starting this month — at 51 Microsoft Stores (currently 29); at 40 GameStop locations (currently 10); and 10 Micro Center retail shops (currently five).
The Vive, built in partnership with Bellevue-based Valve, competes with other virtual reality devices like Oculus Rift and Playstation Vue. Oculus is experiencing shipment delays of its own.
