Build 2015: Microsoft Lifts The Curtain On More HoloLens Prototypes

Mike Moore,
buil;d 2015 hololens

Microsoft shows off some initial previews of its new AR headset at its Build developer conference

Microsoft has revealed some further details on its hotly-anticipated HoloLens holographic headset.

At its Build 2015 conference, the company showed off a promo video showing HoloLens in action as well as a look at the technology behind the device.

This demonstration showed how all the different components in the device work together to create an immersive experience for the user, as well as some of the challenges involved in development.

microsoft-hololens-build-anatomyDetailed

“Imagine a computer that allows you to put your images anywhere, and you can interact with things as a combination of the real world and holograms,” one Microsoft worker puts it in the video.

Included in the video are examples of HoloLens being used for design, manufacturing, and instant messaging, showing the sheer range of possible functions Microsoft hopes the device will have.

The device will feature a built-in battery, as well as new holographic processing unit which helps process the mountains of data being create every second, as well as hugely powerful audio and video components to provide a smooth experience.

Universal

But HoloLens will also be able to run Windows 10 apps without the need for modification, thanks to Microsoft’s attempts to push for universal apps.

In its opening day keynote, the company showed off a range of apps running on HoloLens, including weather, gaming, picture and videohololens-internals galleries, and even a holographic Start Menu.

“Everything you’ve seen here today is a universal app,” HoloLens designer Alex Kipman said in his keynote. “With holograms you’ll have a new canvas. Your apps can come to life.”

Kipman explained that HoloLens needs no wires, no external cameras, no phones, and not even a connection to a PC. Microsoft is also lining up an impressive range of partners for HoloLens, including the likes of NASA, Unity, Legendary, Autodesk, Walt Disney Company, and many more.

First announced in January as part of the Windows 10 reveal, HoloLens is one of Microsoft’s most ambitious projects yet, so it will be intriguing to see how this develops. It is expected that Windows 10 will be released as a free update for Windows 7, 8 and Windows Phone 7 users this summer.

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