Home Tech The Windows Holographic is official

The Windows Holographic is official

January 23, 2015

Behold, the HoloLens

Macross Plus (1994), Accel World (2012), Sword Art Online (2012-2014), Strange Days (1999), The Matrix (1997), Stephen King’s Lawnmower Man (1992) and Star Trek‘s Holodeck.

All these stories have something in common – the persistent and reality altering use of hologram technology in everyday life. The characters will be immersed in the virtual hologram world completely and sometimes unable to tell which one is reality or fake at all. Now Microsoft might bring us tantalizingly close to the vision with the project formerly known as Project Baraboo. Officially it is called the Windows Holographic.

It is an augmented reality system that operates via a headset which is not too far off from VR googles like the Oculus Rift right now. What this thing does however, is to add holograms to the world around you. The HoloLens headset is described as “the most advanced holographic computer the world has ever seen.” according to Microsoft. The system itself is self contained – it has a CPU, GPU and specific processor to generate holograms. A dark visor at the front mounts a see-through display, and a sound spatial system that enables user to hear hologram objects around the user and HoloLens to synchronize motion and environmental sensors.

Microsoft is pushing this tech to be available “in the Windows 10 timeframe“. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella insists that the device will be priced reasonably “for both enterprise and consumers to use it.” Alex Kipman, the head honcho of the project said that the Microsoft cooperating with NASA during the development phase and urging other companies like Magic Leap and Oculus to work on their own holograms.

If this technology work as Microsoft envisions it, it will be a paradigm shift for technology for sure. For a hands-on experience and description of using the Windows Holographic, feel free to read the first look impressions from Wired and Ars Technica.