The official HTC Vive Twitter account has been teasing various things in recent days with close-up shots of a product and cryptic clues like "It's your move". These seemingly suggesting something new is in the works. 

One of those recent Tweets is even more interesting:

If you zoom in and take a close look at this image, you'll see a date suggesting we'll find out more about this on 10 March:

HTC is planning a standalone VR headset in 2021 but it won't rival Oculus Quest photo 1

One user pointed out on Twitter that the image looks very similar to a part of a product we already know about - the lip-tracking module that appeared back in 2019

Back then, Vive indicated that the module was being used for research, and didn't plan to release it. However, since, it has been slowly integrated into some of the more social VR apps.

If released and paired with the rest of Vive's tracking modules, and it does offer up the potential for full-face tracking - and perhaps even full-body tracking further down the line. 

The question remains, though, whether Vive is simply teasing modules that can be paired with existing headsets here, or whether these close-ups and hints are actually a new device altogether.

That's after Alvin Wang Graylin, the President of Vive in China, recently confirmed something is coming in 2021. During an interview with a YouTube channel called TeliportMe, Grayling spoke about HTC's plans for this year:

"I think we’ve said in the past that we will release a new AIO [all-in-one] this year...I think it’s our next-generation standalone, we will have one this year, it is going to be a great product."

Beyond that, Grayin didn't say much more. Certainly no specifics about what that new product would be. One thing he did say though was that the new headset might not be what people are expecting - "...I don't think I would position it as a Quest competitor..."

This is certainly a shame, as the Oculus Quest 2 is certainly a strong contender for the best VR headset on the market thanks to the convenience of inside-out tracking, wireless freedom and the ability to play PCVR games, as well. 

HTC launched the Cosmos Elite in 2020, but, despite being met with a warm reception from the public, the company has been fairly quiet since. 

So, if a reveal is due on 10 March, will we see modules or a fully-fledged headset? Naturally, we're expecting more details on this one sooner rather than later, so stay tuned.