MICROSOFT HoloLens goggles have hit a sweet spot
between Google Glass and virtual reality headgear,
immersing users in a mesmerizing world of augmented reality holograms.
between Google Glass and virtual reality headgear,
immersing users in a mesmerizing world of augmented reality holograms.
The glasses, which the US technology titan sprang
on an unsuspecting press this week, elicited descriptions
such as "magical" and "unbelievable," the first time in a
while such praise was heaped on a Microsoft creation.
on an unsuspecting press this week, elicited descriptions
such as "magical" and "unbelievable," the first time in a
while such praise was heaped on a Microsoft creation.
The augmented reality goggles are a step in a different
direction from virtual reality headgear such as Oculus Rift
and Sony's Project Morpheus system, as well as Google Glass.
direction from virtual reality headgear such as Oculus Rift
and Sony's Project Morpheus system, as well as Google Glass.
At private demos of HoloLens in a carefully guarded lower
level of Microsoft's campus in Redmond, Washington,
cameras, recording devices and even smartphones were
not permitted.
level of Microsoft's campus in Redmond, Washington,
cameras, recording devices and even smartphones were
not permitted.
Microsoft executives said the holographic capabilities built
into Windows 10 operating software -- to be released late
this year -- would open doors for developers to augment tasks
from complex surgery to motorcycle design.
into Windows 10 operating software -- to be released late
this year -- would open doors for developers to augment tasks
from complex surgery to motorcycle design.
In a captivating demonstration, a prototype HoloLens turned
a room into the surface of Mars.
a room into the surface of Mars.
HoloLens wearers found themselves standing near a 3D
representation of the Rover, free to roam Mars, at times
accompanied by a NASA scientist projected into the scene
and communicating through Skype.
representation of the Rover, free to roam Mars, at times
accompanied by a NASA scientist projected into the scene
and communicating through Skype.
"This is the future of space exploration," said the scientist,
represented by a glowing golden spacesuit reminiscent of
vintage science fiction films.
represented by a glowing golden spacesuit reminiscent of
vintage science fiction films.
NASA team members can use HoloLens to move about as
if they are on Mars and figure out where they want the Rover
to go and what they want it to do.
if they are on Mars and figure out where they want the Rover
to go and what they want it to do.
Work and play
Through a series of scenarios, HoloLens overlaid virtual
scenes on real space, allowing wearers to safely and
efficiently navigate rooms while engaging with 3D imagery
using voice, gaze or gesture.
scenes on real space, allowing wearers to safely and
efficiently navigate rooms while engaging with 3D imagery
using voice, gaze or gesture.
The head piece tracks eye movements, then lets wearers
use a simple finger flick to interact with whatever they focus on.
use a simple finger flick to interact with whatever they focus on.
Replacing a light switch became a collaborative effort,
as one individual with a tablet computer guided the job,
overlaying arrows or notes that floated in the air.
as one individual with a tablet computer guided the job,
overlaying arrows or notes that floated in the air.
The room was then converted into an extension of the
building-block themed game Minecraft, with castles on
floors and table tops. With voice commands and taps of
the finger, a wearer built or destroyed, and sometimes
vanquished zombies.
building-block themed game Minecraft, with castles on
floors and table tops. With voice commands and taps of
the finger, a wearer built or destroyed, and sometimes
vanquished zombies.
The Microsoft headgear even became a tool for designing
virtual toys then made real using a 3D printer.
virtual toys then made real using a 3D printer.
HoloLens also promises scintillating integration with
video games, and Microsoft has a broad and devoted fan
base for Xbox consoles.
video games, and Microsoft has a broad and devoted fan
base for Xbox consoles.
The future of computing
"HoloLens offers a new platform and experience for computing
on the scale of the original PC and the launch of Apple iPhone,"
Forrester analyst Frank Gillett said in a blog post.
on the scale of the original PC and the launch of Apple iPhone,"
Forrester analyst Frank Gillett said in a blog post.
And Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg has depicted
virtual reality as a computing platform poised to succeed
the mobile Internet era centered on smartphones and tablets.
virtual reality as a computing platform poised to succeed
the mobile Internet era centered on smartphones and tablets.
He backed his belief by buying Oculus VR last year in a $2 billion deal.
Because virtual reality headgear disconnects users from
their immediate surroundings, some people worry about
what is happening in reality or what they might bump into.
their immediate surroundings, some people worry about
what is happening in reality or what they might bump into.
"Virtual reality makes sense for gamers pretty much immediately"
said Endpoint Technologies analyst Roger Kay.
said Endpoint Technologies analyst Roger Kay.
"I think augmented reality is actually how this type of technology
is gonna hit in to the general population."
is gonna hit in to the general population."
By contrast, Google Glass essentially displays a miniature version
of a smartphone screen in an upper corner of one lens.
of a smartphone screen in an upper corner of one lens.
People can glance to see text messages, video or other scenes
in small displays, and also take pictures or video, controlling the
eyewear with voice commands or taps on frames.
in small displays, and also take pictures or video, controlling the
eyewear with voice commands or taps on frames.
Google recently ended sales of Glass through an Explorer program,
but a lower-cost and more fashionable version is expected to make
it to market.
but a lower-cost and more fashionable version is expected to make
it to market.
"I have to say Microsoft has truly delivered a mixed reality
experience that will delight," Forrester analyst James McQuivey
said in a blog post.
experience that will delight," Forrester analyst James McQuivey
said in a blog post.
"It's on everybody else -- from Apple to Samsung,
Oculus VR to Magic Leap -- to match Microsoft's opening bid."
Oculus VR to Magic Leap -- to match Microsoft's opening bid."
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