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Microsoft opens NY studio to showcase HoloLens headset
Alien robot drone things bust through the walls, and you have to shoot them before they shoot you. It won’t be open to the general public, though.
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HoloLens differs from virtual reality in that it projects 3D simulations of holographic experiences onto what the wearer of the headset sees in reality. The Microsoft spokesperson wouldn’t confirm future plans, but it’s easy to see a future where subsequent iterations of the HoloLens serve as both an accessory to-and even a potential replacement for-the current Xbox.
Here’s the kind of HoloLens depth of field that Microsoft typically shows. They will see how the device allows new ways for people to communicate, create, work, and play. Microsoft representatives would not comment on battery life, but did emphasize that a single unit was used during three ten minute demo sessions with reporters. Developers can also apply to receive a Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition by heading here. But Microsoft remains mum on when consumers will be able to buy a system, much less what HoloLens will cost.
Unlike smartphone-based VR headsets and computer-tethered rigs designed primarily for gaming, the HoloLens headset is a standalone Windows 10 computer. I had to keep my head on a swivel to spot each wave of enemies as they emerged from the walls because the field of view is so narrow. Microsoft tells us that it expects the showcase to be around for at least a couple of months. It was a level of interactivity I’ve never felt in a game. Creations can move around a room, so you can visualise how an ornament will look when 3D printed and placed in its surroundings.
But the most impressive thing about the HoloLens is the sense of presence you get when looking at virtual objects.
Microsoft also demonstrated how HoloLens might be employed to tell a story or to teach, sell, or pitch an idea.
The new venue in NYC, right on 5th Avenue, means more developers will get the same opportunity to check out the device in multiple scenarios. So if you’re a business or a developer and you’re going to be in NY, it’s worth getting down to the Microsoft Store for a demo to see if you can find some synergies with the work you do. The HoloLens is the computer.
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The demo wraps up with a brief glimpse of what’s possible with these storytelling features. Taking a moment to just observe the planets, whizzing around in the middle of the room, was simply stunning. For example, NASA is embracing HoloLens. And I’m still wowed by HoloLens, a mixed reality, some would say, augmented reality, experience that reminds you of virtual reality but is in reality quite different.