Tech giant Microsoft's own augmented reality headset, the HoloLens, seems to be right on track and will be released this year.
Not to be confused with other VR headsets, Microsoft's HoloLens is a wireless holographic headset that most observers describe as a "wearable 3D display." The device will overlap holograms and project 3D objects in the user's field of vision. To do this, it will use three processors, and will be one of the very first devices to use an HPU, a Holographic Processing Unit.
The user can interact with the display for either work or play, and will come specially equipped with sensors. The Microsoft HoloLens uses Kinect 2.0 sensors, RealSense gesture controls, Intel Wireless Display, an infrared sensor, and it comes with a built-in camera. The sensors make it possible for people to use Microsoft's upcoming Windows 10 apps without the use of devices such as mice, keyboards, and monitors.
The HoloLens is just one of the many projects that Microsoft will introduce, in hopes of changing the digital landscape and how people interact digitally. Back in January, the Redmond-based company announced the holographic headset together with other upcoming projects, namely the virtual assistant Cortana, the new browser Spartan, and a host of other apps for the upcoming Windows 10 operating system.
No other details are available regarding the HoloLens' release, but most tech observers say that since Microsoft is saying that it will utilize and optimize the new Windows environment, the 3D headset is expected to arrive alongside the unveiling of the new Windows 10 OS. Fans are also expecting the HoloLens to be previewed at the upcoming Microsoft Build Developer Conference in San Francisco from April 29 to May 1.
Surprisingly, for its high-end specs, Crossmap reports that the Microsoft HoloLens will sell for less than $500 when it is released alongside the new Windows 10 platform.
