Forget Google Glass! Here comes Microsoft HoloLens!
http://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-hololens/en-us
http://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-hololens/en-us
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Microsoft HoloLens
- Thread starter Ilya
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"Showcasing the possibilities of holograms in Windows 10, Microsoft HoloLens is the world’s first untethered holographic computer – no wires, phones or connection to a PC needed. Microsoft HoloLens allows you to view holograms in high definition and hear them in surround sound, even if they are behind you. And with advanced sensors, Microsoft HoloLens can see what you are looking at and understand what you are communicating with your hands and voice."
This is something I was not expecting to live to see.
My computer, TV, entertainment system and a bunch more gadgets just became obsolete, redundant and tedious to use. One of these for every member of the family, you don't need all that other stuff.
My computer, TV, entertainment system and a bunch more gadgets just became obsolete, redundant and tedious to use. One of these for every member of the family, you don't need all that other stuff.
The future is now. Does not seem like they have a working model though, just a prototype of what they want to do with it. This is definitely a game changer and can change people's lives dramatically. It will allow us to view our world in so many different ways with information available literally in front of our eyes.
No more need for computer screens, cell phones, televisions, gaming systems, watches or anything with this device. This blows google glass out of the water. Perhaps its time to invest in Microsoft stock? Maybe the next big thing since the iPhone/smart phone?
I wonder if they have a patent on this or if any other companies plan on doing this as well?
No more need for computer screens, cell phones, televisions, gaming systems, watches or anything with this device. This blows google glass out of the water. Perhaps its time to invest in Microsoft stock? Maybe the next big thing since the iPhone/smart phone?
I wonder if they have a patent on this or if any other companies plan on doing this as well?
Microsoft certainly seems to be on the start of a roll anyway. Several very interesting projects in the pipe.
They do have working models of the HoloLens goggles. They used one in the presentation and said NASA was using one also.
So probably still a prototype, but closer to a production than it might otherwise be. I figger they'll release a model that is pretty expensive targeted to specific markets and later get out one priced more in the consumer price range.
So probably still a prototype, but closer to a production than it might otherwise be. I figger they'll release a model that is pretty expensive targeted to specific markets and later get out one priced more in the consumer price range.
I think the biggest stumbling block for a technology like this is in software. It needs to be able to analyze the video image and all the data coming from all other sensors and render the virtual 3d image accordingly in high resolution and to do it all in real time on a miniature CPU. That's the main challenge here. If they have that part figured out, then the device itself shouldn't be too difficult to design and manufacture.
I didn't think something like that would be even possible today. I am so glad to be proven wrong!
I didn't think something like that would be even possible today. I am so glad to be proven wrong!
They definitely said it will be available "in the Windows 10 timeframe" whatever that means. I hope it's October or whenever Windows 10 releases, but it could mean sometime further down the road before Windows 11 or whatever they call the next version. I just hope the price is not so ridiculous that I cannot afford to buy two of them.
Yesterday at the Microsoft Build Conference in San Francisco I was among the lucky few who got an invitation to a private Microsoft one-to-one demonstration of the HoloLens! This demonstration took place at the Intercontinental hotel just a block away from the Conference. At the scheduled time we arrived at the hotel and we were split into two small groups of just eight people. We were then escorted to an upper floor of the hotel. Microsoft took over the entire floor and had all rooms redecorated specifically for this demonstration. I am not even sure if it was just one floor...
They had a lot of Microsoft employees there, including security guards. First, we were taken to a locker room where we had to surrender all of our electronic gadgets: no cameras, recording or communication devices were allowed. Then we had a 10-minute orientation where they showed us how to put on and adjust the HoloLens, explained the basics, taught us some simple gestures: how to do a click with a finger in the air, for example. Finally they took the measurements of our interpupillary distances, just like an optometrist would do: the HoloLens needs to be configured accordingly (through a computer).
After the orientation, we were individually escorted to private rooms for one-to-one demonstrations. As I have found out later, they had several different demonstrations. In my case it was a virtual "tool box" which I used to build my own virtual environment: set up an aquarium in the corner of the room, copied and colored the fish, etc. it was fun!
A few things really surprised me. First of all, the virtual image location was very stable. No matter how I turned my head, or moved around the room, the 3-d virtual image remained in place at didn't move at all. At some point, just out of curiosity I decided to get behind an object, to see it from the back. No problem at all!
At the same time I was rather disappointed how narrow the field of view was: I could only see virtual objects in front of me, within a small angle, nothing in my peripheral vision. Not sure how big that angle was, but it was smaller than my home theater viewing angle. I also had some problems with voice commands: the HoloLens refused to understand my accent.
The device is pretty light. Lighter than I expected and is relatively easy to adjust on you head, thought it may require some practice. I tried it with and without my glasses. No problem either way. The picture was sharp enough, but i only had cartoonish looking objects.. My demonstration didn't include much audio, so I can't comment on the audio quality
Overall, I am very impressed with the HoloLens device and with the technology it's based on.
Others who have had the demo have said it didn't look as good as the demo did that we saw.
It looks cool but I really can't see people using these things for everyday use.
It looks cool but I really can't see people using these things for everyday use.
The main difference between the video demos and the real experience is that the video demos make you think that the entire field of view is covered, which is not the case at all. I think this first device is a great demonstration of what this technology is capable of and it can be used as is for a variety of business applications and at home for fun and gaming. Would I wear the HoloLens all the time at home? Would I watch movies through it? Probably not. But I still want one! 
And by the way, the USPTO has just awarded a HoloLens patent to Microsoft. It was filed back in 2010 under the "Headset with Visor" title.
http://www.winbeta.org/news/microsoft-awarded-design-patent-hololens
http://www.winbeta.org/news/microsoft-awarded-design-patent-hololens
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