Microsoft has revealed more information about its Hololens headset, at an event in Tel Aviv. There is still no consumer release date. However, Microsoft has said that the device will be completely wireless, and able to connect to ‘anything’ with WiFi or Bluetooth. It can natively run Windows Universal Apps, and battery life will be up to 5.5 hours (but more realistically 2.5 hours).
To raise battery life and lower cost, Microsoft has had to make some concessions, however: rather than a panoramic field of view, the Hololens will present the equivalent of a 15″ monitor, 0.6m from your face. Interestingly, owners will also be able to link two headsets together, remotely, to share an experience with a friend or colleague.
Analyst Comment
The field of view change is controversial; Microsoft’s demonstrations to-date have focused on applications with a wide field of view, like gaming. Hopefully, this can be changed in later versions of the headset. (TA)
If you wonder why these compromises have been made, have a look at our recent Display Daily. (VR and AR Head Mounted Displays – Sorry, but there is no Santa Claus) (BR)
