Microsoft first announced their hologram technology in June 2015, the device was a single piece of hardware which could blend real world scenarios with digital imagery. Microsoft already manufacturers hundreds of different handheld devices such as the Surface Pro 4 or the Lumia 650 smartphone, but now the software giant is looking to break into the world of augmented reality.
Microsoft’s HoloLens goggles will be using the Windows Holographic software to create a holographic interface that can be used anywhere from gaming to office applications.
At a conference recently held in Taipei, Microsoft announced their intentions of expanding their range of holographic hardware and software into other areas of augmented reality, namely virtual reality.
Microsoft expressed their interest in having other third-party manufacturers come on board to manufacture hardware which would use the Windows Holographic software. Some of the companies that have already expressed interest in working alongside Microsoft include Intel, Asus, Qualcomm, Lenovo and HTC.
Hoping the capitalise on the rising popularity of augmented reality devices, Microsoft hopes to develop a device which would incorporate real world objects with virtual reality and holograms, allowing users to do anything from gaming in alternate realities to shopping in virtual reality stores.
However, if you’re itching to try out any of these devices you may have to wait awhile. The Microsoft HoloLens is the first piece of augmented reality hardware we’re likely to see, and that is unlikely to be released to the consumer market before 2017 at the earliest.
Any further information on third-party AR or VR devices is unknown, and we’ll have to wait until the WinHEC conferences this November to hear if there have been any developments or other companies which have come aboard.
