HoloLens available for pre-order in some countries
By Digital News Asia October 14, 2016
- Devices shipping in November
- HoloLens adopted by NASA
![HoloLens available for pre-order in some countries HoloLens available for pre-order in some countries](/sites/default/files/images/HL.png)
MICROSOFT has announced that HoloLens, the world’s first 'self-contained holographic computer', is now available for pre-order in Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, with devices starting to ship in late November.
According to Microsoft, HoloLens is experiencing tremendous excitement and interest from developers and commercial customers around the globe.
“Since the launch of Microsoft HoloLens, we have seen really passionate developers and world-class companies develop groundbreaking computing experiences — experiences only possible on HoloLens” said Alex Kipman, technical fellow, Microsoft Windows and Devices Group. “When we set out to pioneer the mixed-reality category, we knew that many of the best innovations would be discovered when others got their hands on the technology. It has been quite inspiring to see what individual developers have created. Together, we have only scratched the surface for what mixed reality can do. I can’t wait to see what happens next as we welcome these new countries to our holographic landscape.”
“This device allows us to engage students in unprecedented ways,” said Mark Griswold, faculty director for Case Western Reserve’s Interactive Commons and leader of the university’s work with Microsoft HoloLens. “The HoloLens allows students to explore the world in completely new ways. The mixed-reality view means students and faculty can interact with one another and the holographic information the entire time, preserving the critical human connection that is such an essential part of learning. We have just begun to explore the potential of HoloLens, and I am already confident that in time the device will be as common in student backpacks as laptops and smartphones.”
“With elevators transporting over one billion people each day, we have a critical role to play in keeping cities moving. At thyssenkrupp, we are focused on leading the much-needed transformation of the global elevator industry to dramatically increase the efficiency and availability of elevators, and HoloLens is a key element in helping us achieve these goals,” said Andreas Schierenbeck, CEO of thyssenkrupp Elevator. “The application of HoloLens in our operations can reduce service intervention times by up to four times, and such a feat was only made possible through our strong collaboration with Microsoft.”
Together with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Microsoft has created four mixed-reality applications. The OnSight project enables scientists to use HoloLens to “work on Mars” together, directly from their offices, allowing them a means to plan and, along with the Curiosity Mars Rover, conduct science operations on the Red Planet.
By extending the OnSight project, in September the company opened “Destination: Mars” at the Kennedy Space Center to the public, which allows visitors the only opportunity possible today to walk around the Red Planet, just as NASA scientists do today.
The Sidekick project brought HoloLens to the International Space Station to enable station crews to get remote expert assistance when and where they need it, reducing crew training requirements and increasing the efficiency at which astronauts can work in space. The NASA team created the ProtoSpace HoloLens application to build the next generation of spacecraft and space rovers; the application brings 3D spacecraft designs into the world to help improve the design process.
According to IDC, “worldwide revenues for the augmented reality and virtual reality market will grow from US$5.2 billion in 2016 to more than US$162 billion in 2020. Windows 10 will be updated in 2017 to include Windows Holographic, the platform that powers the mixed-reality experiences enabling people to perceive the world differently, break down barriers, and bring the virtual and the physical worlds together.
In June at Computex, Microsoft had announced that Windows Holographic will be coming to Windows 10 PCs and head-mounted displays.
There is no word yet on when the device will be available in Asia.
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