Once the domain of science fiction movies, like Star Trek and Star Wars, holograms are now headed for mainstream use – at work, at home…everywhere! Microsoft HoloLens promises to transform the way we communicate, collaborate, and explore.
At first glance, you’d likely call it a headset but that really doesn’t do it justice. It’s a holographic computer that’s completely untethered, which means it’s not connected (even wirelessly) to a PC or any other device. According to Microsoft, it enables high-definition holograms to come to life; seemingly integrated with your physical places, spaces, and things. Are they real? No, you can’t touch them. Are they virtual? Yes, in the sense that you see objects as if they existed in the real world. Microsoft is calling it ‘mixed reality’.
There’s no doubt that gamers will love it but what other, more practical applications does Microsoft HoloLens have? The answer to that lies in how various people use their PCs. For example, imagine using Skype in mixed reality. Or, using holograms, you can pin your digital content (think photos, files, schedules, and videos) in the physical space around you. Rather than touching a screen or clicking a mouse, you use movement, vision, or voice to interact with the same content that use today. The real potential is in design, education, research, and exploration. To fully grasp it, check out Microsoft’s HoloLens video.
While there’s no set-in-stone release date, Microsoft says it will be available in the Windows 10 timeframe, which launched July 29, 2015…so likely in the next year.