HTC Teases Return to Phones With Metaverse Hype
![HTC Viverse phone](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_140/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 140w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_265/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 265w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_340/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 340w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_490/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 490w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_645/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 645w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_740/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 740w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_965/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 965w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1165/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 1165w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1315/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 1315w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1465/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 1465w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1600/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 1600w)
HTC once owned a sizable portion of the global smartphone market share, but it could never keep up with Samsung, and in 2017, the company sold most of its phone IP to Google. After staying in the shadows for several years, HTC is now planning its return to smartphones, though fans of its previous HTC One devices should keep their excitement in check.
The company posted on Twitter a teaser for its upcoming smartphone, which is set to debut at a launch event on June 28. We don’t know specifics except that, as HTC teased at MWC, it will have some metaverse elements.
Yes, this smartphone will have a strong tie to the metaverse, that theoretical blending of the digital and physical worlds you keep hearing about. Remember, HTC pivoted to VR when it stepped back from making smartphones, and its flagship product is called the Vive. It’s unclear if this phone will be called the “Viverse” which is what HTC has unfortunately named its virtual reality world.
Whatever the case, we don’t know much about the smartphone, though some integration with HTC’s Vive headset seems likely. I’d also expect it to give users some access to “Viverse,” a metaverse platform where you can hold meetings, watch VR concerts, play games, sell or buy NFTs, and more.
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![Samsung 65" QLED Smart TV QN95B](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_78,pg_1,q_60,w_140/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 140w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_149,pg_1,q_60,w_265/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 265w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_191,pg_1,q_60,w_340/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 340w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_275,pg_1,q_60,w_490/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 490w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_362,pg_1,q_60,w_645/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 645w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_416,pg_1,q_60,w_740/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 740w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_542,pg_1,q_60,w_965/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 965w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_655,pg_1,q_60,w_1165/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 1165w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_739,pg_1,q_60,w_1315/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 1315w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_824,pg_1,q_60,w_1465/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 1465w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_900,pg_1,q_60,w_1600/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 1600w)
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Samsung 65″ QLED Smart TV QN95B
The ultimate 4K experience
Brilliant details shine even in daylight with Quantum Matrix Technology. Powered by a huge grid of Samsung’s ultra-precise Quantum Mini LEDs, it takes exact control of the individual zones of light in your picture for breathtaking color and contrast.
And since I haven’t thrown out enough buzzwords yet, the phone could also have some blockchain features. HTC’s Exodus 1 (and 1S) phone was built around cryptocurrency, providing a “Secure Enclave” that protects your crypto keys and has a built-in cryptocurrency wallet.
The metaverse phone was originally scheduled to debut in April but was delayed due to COVID-19 outbreaks in Taiwan. We’ll learn more about this mysterious device at HTC’s “Log In To The Future” event on June 28.
When it arrives, the Viverse handset won’t be looking to take on the Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel. Despite the wishes of some HTC One owners, the company doesn’t seem interested in returning to the traditional smartphone market. Those days appear to be over. Instead, HTC will attempt to resolve its financial woes with one-of-a-kind devices it hopes the market finds more innovative than gimmicky.
![HTC Viverse phone](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_140/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 140w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_265/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 265w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_340/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 340w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_490/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 490w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_645/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 645w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_740/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 740w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_965/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 965w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1165/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 1165w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1315/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 1315w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1465/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 1465w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1600/e5852cd43b4b08dd7f766e9d79c340aa.png 1600w)
HTC once owned a sizable portion of the global smartphone market share, but it could never keep up with Samsung, and in 2017, the company sold most of its phone IP to Google. After staying in the shadows for several years, HTC is now planning its return to smartphones, though fans of its previous HTC One devices should keep their excitement in check.
The company posted on Twitter a teaser for its upcoming smartphone, which is set to debut at a launch event on June 28. We don’t know specifics except that, as HTC teased at MWC, it will have some metaverse elements.
Yes, this smartphone will have a strong tie to the metaverse, that theoretical blending of the digital and physical worlds you keep hearing about. Remember, HTC pivoted to VR when it stepped back from making smartphones, and its flagship product is called the Vive. It’s unclear if this phone will be called the “Viverse” which is what HTC has unfortunately named its virtual reality world.
Whatever the case, we don’t know much about the smartphone, though some integration with HTC’s Vive headset seems likely. I’d also expect it to give users some access to “Viverse,” a metaverse platform where you can hold meetings, watch VR concerts, play games, sell or buy NFTs, and more.
G/O Media may get a commission
![Samsung 65" QLED Smart TV QN95B](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_78,pg_1,q_60,w_140/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 140w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_149,pg_1,q_60,w_265/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 265w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_191,pg_1,q_60,w_340/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 340w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_275,pg_1,q_60,w_490/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 490w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_362,pg_1,q_60,w_645/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 645w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_416,pg_1,q_60,w_740/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 740w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_542,pg_1,q_60,w_965/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 965w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_655,pg_1,q_60,w_1165/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 1165w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_739,pg_1,q_60,w_1315/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 1315w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_824,pg_1,q_60,w_1465/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 1465w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_900,pg_1,q_60,w_1600/64bd611b2381af195421eed8ef156c51.jpg 1600w)
Free Mounting Service
Samsung 65″ QLED Smart TV QN95B
The ultimate 4K experience
Brilliant details shine even in daylight with Quantum Matrix Technology. Powered by a huge grid of Samsung’s ultra-precise Quantum Mini LEDs, it takes exact control of the individual zones of light in your picture for breathtaking color and contrast.
And since I haven’t thrown out enough buzzwords yet, the phone could also have some blockchain features. HTC’s Exodus 1 (and 1S) phone was built around cryptocurrency, providing a “Secure Enclave” that protects your crypto keys and has a built-in cryptocurrency wallet.
The metaverse phone was originally scheduled to debut in April but was delayed due to COVID-19 outbreaks in Taiwan. We’ll learn more about this mysterious device at HTC’s “Log In To The Future” event on June 28.
When it arrives, the Viverse handset won’t be looking to take on the Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel. Despite the wishes of some HTC One owners, the company doesn’t seem interested in returning to the traditional smartphone market. Those days appear to be over. Instead, HTC will attempt to resolve its financial woes with one-of-a-kind devices it hopes the market finds more innovative than gimmicky.