HTC is considering spinning off or selling its Vive VR headset business as company's market value falls

Smartphone maker HTC Corp is exploring options that could range from spinning off its virtual reality (VR) business to selling itself, Bloomberg reported on 24 August, citing people familiar with the matter at hand. [caption id=“attachment_3971909” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] HTC Vive VR headset. Image Courtesy: HTC[/caption] The Taiwanese firm is working with an adviser as it considers bringing in an investor or selling off its **Vive VR headset** business, according to the Bloomberg report. A full sale of the company is less likely as it does not fit obviously with one buyer, as reported by Bloomberg. HTC’s market value has fallen almost 75 percent to $1.78 billion in the last five years as its smartphone business has suffered heavily. The company has been trying to turn around its business by focusing on high-end VR headsets. HTC has a 8.4 percent share of the AR/VR headset market, as of the first quarter of 2017, according to research firm IDC. Earlier in June, HTC said its VR headset will be compatible with Apple Inc’s High Sierra operating system, which is scheduled for release later on this year. HTC competes with Sony Corp’s **PlayStation VR** headset and **Oculus' Rift** headset which retails in the same price range. HTC did not immediately respond to a request for comment, outside regular business hours.