HTC unveils Vive Pre virtual reality headset for developers at CES 2016 ahead of consumer edition launch of device in April

Taiwan-based smartphone vendor HTC has unveiled a special edition of its Vive virtual reality headset for developers at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which officially opens to the public early Thursday (China time), as it bets big on virtual reality technology finally taking off in 2016.

Called Vive Pre, the device is essentially a preview of the April launch of a consumer version of Vive, which HTC hopes will set shoppers’ hearts aflutter to offset its ailing fortunes in China’s overheated smartphone market.

READ MORE: CES 2016: wearables war hots up, and wake up to the smell of coffee ... from your alarm clock

The company has seen dwindling profits and declining sales figures in recent years, and is pivoting to become an early investor in virtual reality headsets to effect a turnaround.

It has invested millions of US dollars in developing Vive and has spent generously to invest in start-ups like virtual reality platform WEVR.

The Vive Pre was created in partnership with video game company Valve Corporation and is an upgrade of the original HTC Vive virtual reality device.