Well, Hello There! It’s Microsoft’s New $3,500 HoloLens

At MWC 2019, Microsoft revealed its “mixed reality” headset HoloLens’ latest version. The HoloLens 2 offers a higher resolution and a remarkably larger field of view. It’s also to be much more comfortable. Microsoft claims that the comfort of the device is three times more than its previous version.

Later in 2018, HoloLens 2 will make it to New Zealand, Australia, France, Ireland, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, China, Japan, and the United States for $3,500.

The original HoloLens’ limited field of view was one of its major drawbacks. The effect of the HoloLens was more noticeable when you look at something small in size and straight ahead of you. However, when you look at objects that are larger or move your head, it will feel like you are looking through a screen with a stamp size. This will not be a problem with the HoloLens 2 as it has a field of view which is twice larger than the original.

Alex Kipman, HoloLens chief said:

With HoloLens, a special version of Windows was developed. Moreover, Microsoft also came up with a new way of interaction with AR objects via hand gestures. In HoloLens 2, the interaction becomes more natural, and you can tap the objects. Your gaze will be tracked more accurately so that the software can adjust to the destination of your gaze.

Kipman emphasized:

In the demos, Microsoft stressed on how much more fluid and faster interacting with HoloLens applications gets when you use slides, for instance, you can grab the slider and move it, or push a button with one, two fingers or your full hand. Microsoft even set up a virtual piano to show off HoloLens’ ability in tracking movements. This is called “instinctual interaction.”

Some Azure services are also launched today to support developers, including remote rendering and spatial anchors so that developers can transfer high-polygon content to its device.

It’s worth understanding that HoloLens has never been designed as consumer hardware. Its focus has always been on business applications, as well as educational applications.

For these enterprises, customers will be able to customize the device.

Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO repeated a line from the announcement of the first HoloLens four years ago:

He thinks that connecting our physical world with the virtual world can transform how we work.