HTC has recently confirmed that the new consumer-focused Vive Cosmos will be supporting the official Vive Wireless Adapter at launch. This is going to be the first PC VR headset to support a wireless adapter at launch, regardless of the company producing the headset.
This does not come as a surprise to many, as we know now that this headset is supposed to be able to grow with not only its owner, but the VR industry itself. Having a wireless adapter ready to go at the launch will only help this headset sell to virtual enthusiast and those who are looking to get a headset that is ready for whatever the future olds. Many believe that virtual reality’s future is going to be completely wireless, and this is a step in the right direction for HTC Vive.
Wired Headsets
The Valve Index, Oculus Rift S, and all mixed Reality Headsets do not feature anyway to make the PC headset wireless, although Valve is “looking into several methods” of getting their new headset detached from your computer. The Oculus Rift S is something that is very shocking to consumers around the world. We know the Oculus Quest is completely wireless, but this doesn’t mean that the Rift S shouldn’t be. Everyday that passes, more technology is being introduced. It is still shocking that the Rift S doesn’t have an adapter, and even more shocking that the Oculus doesn’t have plans to make their new PC headset wireless at all.
The Mixed Reality headsets are disappearing off of shelves, so the likelihood of any of the headsets getting a wireless adapter are slim to none. There is no company blind enough to start producing a wireless adapter for a headset that is already dead. The idea of that is silly, and we shouldn’t be expecting anything like that at all.
Wireless PC Adapters
As of July 2019, there are only three wireless adapters that are compatible with PC gaming VR headsets right now. They are the official Vive Wireless Adapter, the TPCast for the Oculus Rift, (not compatible with the Rift S) and the TPCast for the HTC Vive. Both the knockoff and official version of the wireless Vive adapter come in at $299, and the Oculus Rift adapter is a more expensive $319. The Vive adapter also works with the Vive Pro and Cosmos, as the TPCast adapters are only available to work with the original Vive.
Even $299 is steep for a simple adapter. There is no word on weather HTC is planning on making a price cut for the Vive adapter, but we know that it is something they will need to consider. If HTC is planning to pull customers away from Valve and Oculus this fall, they are going to find something that neither of those companies have. If the Cosmos is more expensive and more cabled than either of the other headset, we are looking at a headset that might not sell too well.
