HTC Vive brings a new magazine reading experience with Vivepaper
HTC Vive is teaming up with Condé Nast China to build an Augmented-VR enhanced reading experience called Vivepaper, a fusion of AR and VR technology.
Using a specially designed AR-enabled physical Vivepaper booklet and the VIVE virtual reality system or a compatible cardboard VR viewer, readers will be able to immerse themselves in interactive print content.
HTC and Condé Nast China says the invention of Vivepaper is set to change the way readers consume, and publishers distribute content. It will also provide a new way for advertisers to reach audiences.
The first example of the partnership will come out in December.
Condé Nast Traveler’s Chinese issue will be printed into a Vivepaper booklet that can be viewed using the HTC Vive or on mobile using a compatible cardboard head-mounted display
Vivepaper can change print industry
“Vivepaper is much more than just a Vive PC VR initiative. It enables Mobile VR users with just a cardboard to have tactile interface in VR,” Vive’s China Regional President Alvin Wang Graylin explained to Haptical.
“The ability to allow even cardboard users to have an augmented VR experience is exciting. This will help create excitement for Mobile VR and also bring in much needed content into the VR medium” he added.
Speaking about the potential of Vivepaper, Mr. Graylin thinks this could be a game changer for the publishing industry.
“One key thing the print industry have is content. Complied over hundreds of years. Now all can be accessible to Vive and Mobile VR users. The Vivepaper is big. It can change print industry” he claims.
The Vivepaper is available to download on October 31
In an official statement the company said they are in discussions with several other major publishers to release Vivepaper versions of their content outside China.
The Vivepaper app will be available on October 31, 2016 to download from Viveport and Viveport M for Android mobile users. An iOS version of the Vivepaper app will be follow later this year.
This story is updated on October 26, 2016 PT 10:22pm with exclusive comments by Mr. Alvin W. Graylin
