Hololens, the mixed reality revolution taking on everyday life
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The dematerialization of almost a lifetime in one tool
To put it simply, Hololens are a combination of the computer phone and a virtual reality headset. All these objects combined in one. It is above all a practical tool that facilitates many daily actions thanks to this dematerialization. Completely futuristic and completely crazy!
Presented in 2016 and then introduced to the market the following year, the Hololens are therefore mixed reality glasses. By putting on Hololens glasses, you will see the real, to which virtual elements will be added. Microsoft’s product offers the ability to interact with and manipulate these elements. For example, you can have applications or screens where you want in space. If you want to manage your WC mails, you can place a mailbox in the toilets. When you return to the toilet with your Hololens glasses, you will find your app and be able to use it. Ditto for movies. If you tend to watch them in your bed, Hololens allow you to put one (or even more) screen (s) anywhere in your bedroom.
Read also: Google launches WebXR: virtual and augmented reality for Android
A professional tool above all
Hololens have several major advantages. First of all, their autonomy is complete so no need for computers or phones to connect to. Then, their handling is very instinctive. They also have the advantage of being able to connect with each other, ideal for collaborative work. This last option makes Hololens a tool primarily intended for professionals. Manual sectors such as health, manufacturing or architecture are among the beneficiaries of this brand new tool.
In early April, Microsoft announced the signing of a contract with the US military concerning 120,000 Hololens helmets. Over ten years, this contract could represent a sum of around $ 22 billion. A contract which proves the power and the major stake around these glasses. To date, Microsoft only supplies businesses and not individuals. At the end of May, Alex Kipman, leader of Hololens development at Microsoft, said that Microsoft is currently working on the development of Hololens 3 glasses. These will target the general public.
As for the world of gaming, the Hololens are also likely to upset it. While this is not Microsoft’s priority today, it is almost certain that in the years to come, Hololens will work in such a way that it is possible to play any type of video game with Hololens. Some little games have already been set up but nothing crazy. It will be necessary to wait until the explosion of the product near the general public. Imagine a FIFA or a Mario in mixed reality… It seems enough to make you suddenly want to speed up time.
The Hololens bring new hope. While this tool will not allow us to do innovative things, it centralizes almost all of the actions that we can carry out today with our smartphone or our computer. However, their size is now too large to make it a reliable and practical everyday tool. The Hololens still lack power and Microsoft’s challenge for the years to come will be to drastically reduce the size of the glasses while increasing their power. In addition, the viewing angle of the Hololens is still restricted. Hololens do not offer peripheral vision which is an obvious weak point. In short, if the Hololens are the door open to a new daily life, there is still a lot of progress to be made. Case to be continued …
