Microsoft has just announced that the much anticipated HoloLens will be available for pre-order. Invitations on purchasing the device will soon hit inboxes worldwide, most especially developers'.
According to the company, the HoloLens will still be far from consumer reality as Microsoft plans on selling the device to developers who wants a shot at building out the HoloLens ecosystem of apps. According to Kinect's developer, Alex Kipman, there is no rush to make the device ready for commercial use. He added that the high price point of the device will not be compelling to the ordinary fans as the HoloLens will cost $3,000. This is the reason why HoloLens will be available exclusively for developers.
The head of Windows App studio in Microsoft, Kudo Tsunoda, said the HoloLens is designed to highlight its unique capabilities and give developers a glimpse of how the device can be used on an everyday application. The company, however, made a readily available mix of apps and applications for the device which caters communication, creation and gaming aspects, as per Engadget.
Three of the apps that are available is Skype; HoloStudio, which showcases the ability to create 3D Holo-objects as well as program gaze, voice and gesture commands; and HoloTour, a sort of tourism base application. For the gaming aspect, the company packed the device with a game called RoboRaid, which allows users to shoot down renegade alien insects.
The company also developed an AR app called the Actiongram which focuses on digital storytelling and allows developers and writers to create mix reality videos. According to Chip Chick, the company revealed that the cameras within the headset can capture mix reality videos which can be shared with others. Also, eye tracking sensors will enable users to control and manipulate holograms by simply shifting their gaze.
Microsoft has included a PC app in the Microsoft store. This app can download photos and videos recorded from the HoloLens to a PC that is connected via Wi-Fi, according to Slashgear.
The recent announcement of Microsoft is a strong indication that virtual reality is staying. The company, however, doesn't want to repeat the mistakes it made like what it did on the Kinect devices. The company is now wisely investing on the developer community to ensure that if the HoloLens will be available for the public, the purpose of the device will be clear and obvious.
