Hands-on: Microsoft’s HoloLens is flat-out magical

It looked for every bit like the holographic projection we saw depicted in Star Wars and Total Recall. Except that's shortchanging Microsoft's work, because these virtual objects were in fact far more convincing than the washed out, translucent message R2D2 projected, and much better than Sharon Stone's virtual tennis coach. The images were bright, saturated, and reasonably opaque, giving the virtual objects a real feeling of solidity.

[no_more_heroes]

It seems people are generally impressed with it.

[Metallox]

I was genuinely impressed by it, that teaser was amazing, and I never say this stuff about technological devices. Hopefully Microsoft can turn it good, I don't want other Kinect because the HoloLens look promising.

Well, perhaps I'm exaggerating, but I really like the idea.

[freshslicepizza]

yes, except for the usual people who bash everything that microsoft does have now simply vanished. kinda nice.

personally i think it's a cool concept and is more interesting outside of gaming.

[k3rn3ll]

oh dont worry, if MS has a mis-step with this, no matter how small, they will be back in full force ready to crap on it. Saying, "see, I said all along that this thing was overhyped and destined to be a disaster." Like they alkways do

[mkis007]

Im impressed because I thought of it last year, and how cool it would be. Then I see it this week almost exactly as imagined.

Mine though was both VR and AR with the ability to block out the things in the world it didnt want you to see. You could walk down a sidewalk with my version on and know exactly what is around you (safety) while at the same time be in a completely new environment. The sidewalk could be metal, or the wall to your left could be glass, the possibilities !!!

I really think ms knocked this one out of the park as compared to say kinect or project morpheus.

Can't stress it enough how well MS seems to have done on this one.

Edit: upon further reading this may be EXACTLY as I had imagined it.

[IcicleTrepan]

the thing is, they've been working on this for 7 years.

[mkis007]

That is not my point, ice, my point is seeing something that I would have made given the chance made for me, instantly...no waiting involved. There haven't been any real leaks of this.

Its like me wanting a flavor to exists and then finding out a day later it now exists!!

[daxter1919]

I am disappointed.

Augmented Reality is an old technology already available on portable console and smartphone and there are already other AR Glasses available.

[mkis007]

these ones according to those who have tried them have no movement shifting, the overlay stays where it is supposed to, that is new

[beans]

How about some links? Not trying to call you out but I would love to see a device this ambitious already out and available. VR itself has been out for many many years but I don't think It's disappointing that companies are trying to bring it to life.

[daxter1919]

@beans

Look "AR Glasses" on Google

[ThinkThink]

The same could be said about VR Technology. I remember using VR at E3 over 10 years ago. It's all about the content and what you do with it.

[4Sh0w]

-Good write up from his hands on experience:

"Microsoft calls it holography. I'm not sure if it really is (Wired describes HoloLens' "light engine" as having a "grating," so perhaps it really is using interference patterns to reconstruct light fields rather than providing the same simple stereoscopic 3D found in VR systems), but this is a detail that only pedants will care about. (Though if it is true holography, it should solve the focus issue that many people find with existing 3D systems.)

However it works, HoloLens is an engaging and effective augmented reality system. With HoloLens I saw virtual objects—Minecraft castles, Skype windows, even the surface of Mars—presented over, and spatially integrated with, the real world."

-Very interesting new hardware/tech Microsoft has shown, I'm sure they have a ton of patents in place and aren't going to share any trade secrets but I'd really like more details/explanation on the basics of this tech actually works. Just curious....either way I'd sure like to try those demos.

[Naga]

All registered patents are publicly available for viewing; the rights to use the patent, however are restricted to the owner for a period of 20 years.

Trade secrets are simply that - secrets. Their only protection is found in their secrecy. Think: Coca Cola's recipe.

So if you want to know how a patented device works, you absolutely can. Just in case you didn't know that already. Cheers.

[4Sh0w]

Thanks bro...guess Ill do some research in the next few days to get a basic understanding of whats behind this tech...granted its highly technical stuff but I should be able to sift through it for something understandable.

[pompous]

It's nothing more than augmented reality with MS pr spin thrown in. Impressive use of already in used tech we've been using already. Obviously with other tech or other ways to go about the same tech- different patents.

[Kavorklestein]

What a fitting username you have.

[rainslacker]

I really don't think it's holographic at all. The images I've seen are way too solid to be holography. Holograms, no matter how they're produced are not completely opaque, and have a shimmer to them that is perceptible no matter how good the display/projection is. This is a by product of the technology used to create holograms, and unless MS came up with something new, which means this device would be super expensive, there is no reason to believe that this is some magical hologram projection.

My guess is that the images are being super-imposed onto the viewers field of view by the software taking depth fields of all the object(possibly on the pixel level) and making it look integrated into the environment.

That is how AR is done today for the most part, MS just has a twist by taking it off a display screen and sticking on people's heads to be more compelling.

That's a good thing IMO, because AR never stays interesting very long when it's just on a screen. The practical application available with this technology is kind of exciting as a game dev, and I could definitely see it benefits in education or presentations. Only time will tell if devs and gamers will pick it up as a new way to play games.

I'm assuming some things of course, and I may be wrong. If MS comes out with more information on the actual tech involved that negates my assumption then I'll be even more impressed than I already am with the tech.

[christocolus]

cant wait to try it out for myself.

[vega275]

Im with you..I want this but not just for gaming. I hope MS adds GPS support for people who drive out of state this would be awesome for me. Since I do some traveling with my company and they rent me a car.

[aviator189]

damn. pretty much everyone is impressed by hololens.
here's to hoping it's priced right.

[Moldiver]

I think it will be cheaper than VR headsets, personally.

[Pandamobile]

I dunno, there'a lot of on-board processing happening in a device like this. I see this device being more around high-end smartphone range in price.

[TFJWM]

Umm that would be nice but I don't see how it could be cheaper than Google glass

[MelvinTheGreat]

Its tough to say because MS wants the people who play minecraft to buy and they wont buy it is upwards of 1000+ dollars. But on the other had the tech is extremely impressive would seem to be very expensive to make.

[Moldiver]

"Umm that would be nice but I don't see how it could be cheaper than Google glass"

Umm...I said "cheaper than VR headsets". What is it with people on this website having terrible comprehension skills?

hololens does not pack two screens in its visor, or the tech needed to power two screens (one for each eye) The cost of the CPU inside is anybodies guess, but MS have already said its a low power consumption device, So doubt it is running much more than an ARM based chip, especially given the size of the headset.That would make sense. low heat generation and low power consumption are ARM traits. but only MS can clarify those specs. We will just have to wait and see.

[TFJWM]

My reading comprehension is fine, thank you. Use common sense... Google glass is over 1k, every indication has been the VR headsets would be priced under 500. Even if they are more than they are are 100% likely to be below the cost of Gglass

Also they have not demoed a working prototype at the size they showed, its alot bigger. So to make it that size anytime soon would increase the price even more

[mrdxpr2]

hmmm I see rts games using this really well. Wonder how sims based off this would be. I see a lot of new things coming from this. Future of gaming could it be head mounted devices.

[CloudRap]

This is most definitely getting a preorder from me.

[masa2009]

Imagine that, in a few years, we will be able to look at our Minecraft construction with HoloLens, manipulate the blocks like Lego with Kinect, and then shrink down and walk through our created landscape with Omni while looking around with Oculus.

When I was looking at this stuff in sci-fi movies in the 90s, it seemed hard to imagine I would actually see consumer products available for a few hundred bucks doing that.
But it's there.

[captainexplosion]

Games like Kinect sports and Kinect Adventures would be so awesome using this tech.

[Barnaby-Jones]

I can't wait until this releases! Hololens really seems like innovative tech and many people like it.

[DarXyde]

The tech itself is pretty incredible, but I still need to see what it would do for gaming.

[urwifeminder]

Looks great not bulky built in sound untethered not heavy no nausea finally some tech that Is the stuff we dreamed of as young sci fi heads.

[WeaseL]

Looks great for Augmented Reality but not very immersive for games like Adrift or The Deep. Will still probably buy it though.

[Clover904]

Well that's the thing. AR and VR are two completely separate things. VR takes you to magical places, while AR brings magic into your world. I think both technologies hold tremendous potential and can thrive side by side. There will be amazing titles for both.

[Kavorklestein]

The fact that the glasses can not only SHOW images, but overlay them and adapt actively to your surroundings makes this VR+AR. It's the best of both worlds. Period.
IF you are looking for a more traditional virtual reality experience, then all you would have to do is make sure the headset comes with a black clip on attachment (think luke skywalker putting the blastshield down on his helmet to block the remote's laser blasts with his lightsaber) that blacks out the lens and makes your headset completely fill your eyes with an image... With eye tracking... With the most potentially supported devices of any headset... And the most creative/practical/unpractical /different/unique/new roster of possible uses ever conceived in the history of any technological device... the next big thing is here.

[Ps4andxb1]

With these glasses, you could give yourself a 120 inch TV, projected onto your wall and play your xbox one games on it.

Incredible.

[ltachiUchiha]

It looks amazing but from that demo it dont look like its going to be cheap. I mean if Kinect itself is $100 to $150 and its not even close to the capabilities of what this can do, this could range $500 & up. Id be surprised if it was cheaper.

[MeliMel]

Guys, what else does MS have up there sleeves? Did anyone else not find the first sentence of article interesting?

"For the second time in as many months, I feel like I've taken a step into the world of science fiction—and for the second time in as many months, it's Microsoft who put me there."

[ltachiUchiha]

Well this does look awesome but the price is the real question and doesn't look like it will be cheap.

[Inzo]

Damn, this is impressive but I fear this will go the same way I think the VR sets will be going and thats ultimately becoming nothing more than gimmicks.

[Clover904]

Pessimistic much? Go back to reading about how many pixels 4k tvs have, because that's so impressive and fresh :P

[Inzo]

Whatever, time will prove Im right.

[Gh05t]

"Whatever, time will prove Im right."

Just like the people who thought cars, planes, computers, ect... wouldn't be popular.

I still remember conversations with people who called computers a fad... reminds me of you.

Or back in the late '80s when they were working on a touch screen ordering system for McDonalds and people said that there wont need to be touch screens because we had a keyboard and mice... but now they are on millions of devices.

I am not saying that this will be a revelation, but to say it wont be is a little naive without seeing what people can do with it when given the chance.

[Dgander]

Or when people said they would never use an ipad cause its just a oversized iphone. Now tablets are everywhere.

[rainslacker]

I don't think either tech is going to be super cheap on launch. I'm even skeptical if Occulus Rift will be cheap enough for the mainstream(sub $200). These display technologies aren't particularly cheap, and they're throwing in processors and other stuff.

I don't think either is going to hit the ground running and become the next big thing within a couple years, but these techs will pave the way for improvements and over time the cost will come down to where it's more appealing to increase adoption.

The hardest part is going to be developer support, and I think AR has less appeal than VR. People understand what VR is, but AR could seem disappointing to people looking for a VR experience.

Both are pretty cool, so I hope somehow they manage to make it a given for the next gen and move away from gimmick status.

Also, as a point of note, a gimmick is a selling point, and to date, neither device is considered a selling point, but just an accessory for those that are interested.

[Yetter]

What I serious love most about this thing it all the processing is done onboard and its should be able to work hand in hand with other windows 10 devices so unlike the oculus and morpheus (I realize they aren't really the same thing anyways) it was be taking precious processing power from your PC or your XB1.

[Yetter]

Can you imagine playing a horror game in your own house with this thing? The right developer would give people heart attacks

[Clover904]

What da fuq... How freaking terrifying! Walking around your own home, and then seeing a stranger poke his head from around a corner. Hell, this is AR... There's no limits. Person, ghost, zombie, demon. It can even be like Paranormal Activity, and be invisible, leaving AR footprints and throwing AR pots and pans. There's no limit in the number of ways developers can give us heart attacks.

[Yetter]

It could be truly incredible, zombies smashing up through floor boards, or through windows... man the future is so cool and its right around the corner

[strangeaeon]

Not certain I am ready for something that creepy. Crap I just imagined a facehugger skittering across the floor towards me.

[bleedsoe9mm]

if people can die from fright the tech has the ability to be completely terrifying , they will have to be careful or have a really good eula

[Yetter]

I'm young and 'healthy' and I feel like something like this, done properly could scare me to death

[Clover904]

Sounds like a gimmick. No one is going to talk around while looking like a helicopter pilot.

Just kidding! How exciting is all this new technology. VR is making a huge comeback, wowing everyone who tries it. And now AR is making a huge splash. And with Microsoft and Magic Leap fighting to become the staple of AR, the tech will undoubtedly make great progress rapidly. Very exciting stuff.

[xXDerickXx]

This thing is just amazing. If it bbundls with minecraftit wiwill sell like crazy!

But I'm scared on the price... I wish it's around$300 -$500 range but if it's higher I will wait.

[ninjahunter]

I see a lot of potential for digital artists, virtual home theaters, visualized learning, world conquest, you name it.

my real worry is cost, if they could work something out around 500, ide be sold. But i could easily see this climbing to 800 or more.

[ricochetmg]

They said this about Kinect..without software we don't know

[Sketchy_Galore]

I still think VR will be better for real immersive story driven games etc but the possibility of this thing as an all around lifestyle device are just staggering. Just think, if this stuff does work as planned and becomes standard we're possibly looking at a world without screens, since most everything of that type will be virtual. You'd be able to watch a movie on a giant screen floating at just the right point in front of your face. Ads on the highstreet being streamed into your device, meaning, yes, giant hologram sharks that jump out and bite you.

[welly300]

Looks like the future is here and damn its with Microsoft.

[Dgander]

In 1971 Bill Grates invented Michaelsoft

[siphil]

this does look amazing but will it able to pick where walls and furniture are?

[Dewitt]

Yeah, two hands on impressions said that it scans the room with various apps to see where your walls, tables, and furniture is so it can build the world around that, or just completely remove it from the space. Also, this device is fully compatible with a mouse/keyboard or controller.

[IQUITN4G]

I'm noticing lot more positivity than any other previous hardware announcement from those that have had hands on. It does sound genuinely more exciting than VR and the possibilities endless of course

This will sell a lot

[beans]

This is really cool stuff indeed! With a robot age nearing I vision this as a well-used device and tech in the medical field. Heck I couldn't imagine beIng a first responder to an Emergency (the only person with this device) and through the hologlasses being instructed what to do to save a life. Yeah I think to much but still good job MS!

[Lennoxb63]

Please let me be able to customize my cars in Forza with this. Imagine having a model of your car floating in front of you, and being able to tweak it by hand. Or being able to change the specs of my weapon in an FPS, or customizing my soldier. So many possibilities along with the non gaming kind also.

[Claudinho69]

i dont think it will be release for less than a thousand.

[welly300]

Don't think it will be much more than a kinect 2 Microsoft will want mass market if it actually works.
Im sony fan but this thing looks really cool.....

[traumadisaster]

I dismissed the early articles but when Arstechnica sounds off, I'll listen up...I've purposely tried to be dismissive of vr and this since 3dtvs, move and kinect did not go big.

This sounds fantastic and I'm wanting this knowing I don't have to worry about nausea as that can be an issue I'm susceptible to. Rock on MS with your software magicians goin nuts in the lab!

[Simco876]

Has no one thought about the real issue here? Porn dude, massive amounts of POV porn!

[Spid3r6]

I am glad that Microsoft went with something way different then the Oculus and Morpheus. It looks to be more mainstream and would be used for so many different projects other then gaming. I think this has a bigger chance of making it to the consumers and being supported heavily because of the interest of so many different fields abroad.

[Dewitt]

I am so blown away by the tech, it seems like something that wouldn't come to fruition till 2020 at the earliest. There is so many applications both gaming and not that can be achieved uniquely with this device. Take this article quote from RPS, showing that it can be used for any genre and is definitely not limited.

"When I walk towards a nearby desk with a computer, I notice that that Martian landscape disappears beneath it, rather than projecting over it; users can designate areas where they don’t want holograms to appear, which is especially useful if you want to interact with the holograms using a computer. They encourage me to hold the mouse, and when I move the cursor off the screen, it appears suddenly within the holograph as though the Martian landscape has become an extension of my desktop."

Pulling a mouse pointer into the 3d space to fine tune projects or select objects. It is also fully compatible with a controller meaning that anywhere in your house can become a gaming canvas, like a wall can deteriorate and all the sudden the entire wall is a gaming screen, then as you advance into the screen the objects or creatures will appear as holograms to your left and right.

I am salivating thinking about all the options, really like the ability to point and pin and object or screen anywhere in the area and be able to come back to it.

[gedden7]

Sounds great! Sooooooo how much??

[Father__Merrin]

I'm loving seeking people hype themselves up thinking hologram games ate out next month lol

there's no way to control games

[Dewitt]

Except that is built around the windows 10 platform which they have already shown the press it can be used with a mouse/keyboard, read the hands-on in the rockpapershotgun article. Also, they have already said it will be compatible with the XB1 and since it has a self contained, GPU/CPU/HPU, the XB1 will be doing none of the lifting. Also, since it is compatible with peripherals, then of course you use a control plus this.

The only issues MS has to deal with is price and if they can get it down in the 200-300 dollar range it will sell millions.

[extravalue]

it definitely wont be that low
i predict 500-600$

[gangsta_red]

How about using a CONTROLLER to control the games.

I know...it's a little high tech and thinking out the box but I think my idea with a little elbow grease and can do attitude, it just might work.

[The_Sage]

I am head of facilities maintenance where I am. I'm thinking of the possibility of loading in plumbing, and electrical blue prints, and being able to see where everything is running behind walls, through ceilings, and under floors. That would be fantastic.

[Primal]

For gaming purposes I would personally prefer virtual. Sitting relaxed on my couch sounds more pleasant rather than being mobile which is kinda gimmicky.

But that being said I think this is awesome and somewhat more revolutionary. Great job MS! Reminds of the movie The Island, this is definitely exciting. But in terms of immersion when it comes to gaming, I want to be immersed, not looking at my furniture.

[Monkeysmoke]

Because of the advanced tech in Hololens, it will either be too expensive ($500 at least) or it will be downgraded to be competitive in pricing.

One thing is for sure Hologram can't be as immersive as Virtual Reality especially in hardcore games.
For example: VR will completely insert you in to a virtual war ground of games like Battlefield 4 or into the atmospheric world of Bioshock 3. While Hololens can pop out holographic images from the game world i only see it being usable in customisation menu in hardcore fps games.

Though Hologram will be astounding for platform & puzzle games and also social media apps.

Two different techs, VR will be better for Gaming but Hologram will be better for Apps.

[beereal360]

I will buy this day one, because I love cutting edge toys. WAY TO GO MICROSOFT

[Jaevicious]

Its funny how people who have used neither tech, take such a strong stance on one vs. the other. Both technologies are great, and Im sure we all here will eventually try out both. The practical everyday uses excite me, but playing Gears the way @4show said would be AMAZING!!!!

[ScorpiusX]

Hopefully out this year with plenty of software and am will to pay $600.00 tops . So there you have it MS what say you.

[THC CELL]

Ar is not better than vr I use it every day
All this is is kinect in glasses and hyped up. Vr is better. And who says sony google apple are not doing ar people need to start google in sony smart ar or ar glasses. http://www.sony.net/SonyInf...

[Dfooster]

Sounds good but it's practical use in games will be limited due to having to overlay into the real world. I still prefer the rift concept of VR

[saber00005]

Now if they can continue and create hardware like in "Sword Art Online" that would be great.. :D

[Lennoxb63]

Hopefully its a reasonable price. If its anything over $1000, the masses will have a hard time buying one. But if they could get it to around $800-$900 it'll sell millions. Regardless of the price I'm getting one.

[BlakHavoc]

This is sweet. I gotta get me a an x1 this year!

[Yaay4me]

its going to be awesome, but i don't think its applicability to gaming is as impressive as VR. AR will work great with games like minecraft, or any game that doesn't require new locations. But for traditional gaming where you need to explore or see different areas, its not going to work. AR will also work great as a secondary peripheral device to add to the experience of traditional games, kind of like Kinect. for example you might be able to see your car floating around in the living room for you to customize in the menu, but once the game starts you will have to watch your tv again. In that sense, I'm much more excited for Virtual Reality. I think MS has worked on this device, not specifically with gaming in mind. I think this is MS's attempt at Google Eye.

I do stand to be corrected though, because I'm not one of those people who dismiss things before they actually even try it for themselves.

[kenwonobi]

I think the same thing about VR vs AR. However if Microsoft concentrated on games and not apps then that wouldnt be the case. If Microsoft put all their efforts into this it would take off like the Wii if it had games to support it like the Wii.

[Yaay4me]

True. Either way I think we are going to have some exciting stuff on both consoles, soon.

[St0rmbr1nger1111]

This is the most rational thing I've read about Hololens:
http://www.makeuseof.com/ta...

The hype for this thing is palpable. So many people are projecting their hopes and wishes into this device, I can't help but think this is already on the trajectory of Kinect, over-hyped technology that doesn't do what they claimed it could do.

[gamerfan0909]

Who's hyping it? A bunch of Journalists from huge publications like the WSJ, NYT, ARS tech, Wired, Theverge, ect are saying the one on one time they had with it was beyond impressive. That's not hype; that's people giving their impressions and a product they used and thought was impressive. Fact of the matter is MS did their presentation on stage and countless Jouranlists used early builds and say it works identically as advertised.

[St0rmbr1nger1111]

Not all the reviewers were so impressed with it:
http://www.engadget.com/201...

What I've gathered from reading multiple reviews of the device is that it can only display it's "holograms' in a small rectangle directly in front of your eyes, your peripheral vision will just be your regular vision. Depending on how big the rectangle is, this will definitely impact immersion.

Also, the holograms are transparent, so you can see whatever is behind them. I've read reviews that comment about this, and this is definitely a limitation to immersion.

My point is, that so many people are thinking that it'll be like the demo they showed, with solid looking objects that appear real, like you could touch them. When in reality everything will be somewhat ghost like and see-through.

Go ahead and keep hyping the hell out of this thing, but when reality starts to sink in you're going to feel pretty dumb for being duped by another Milo.

[kenwonobi]

I think it is too for what MICROSOFT intends to use and how. However I think there is much more potential here than Kinect if they put actual effort into this. I think they need to stop concentrating on making this thing do all their apps. Nobody cares about how it controls their apps. They want games and entertainment. SHOW THIS THING OFF WITH GAMES MICROSOFT! Many cool AAA games. Thats what will make it a success. Maybe Apps too one day but this is a gaming console they are showing it off for and people want entertainment.

[kenwonobi]

Thats great. I certainly want Microsoft to make this work. While I am not sure its in the best hands for this to work entertainment wise. I am sure they can put in the effort money wise to make it work. I just dont want it to be a gimmick like Kinect. This is the kinda tech I care about like VR to actually advance gaming into a whole new realm one day.

[Jaqen_Hghar]

Cool. Good to know Sony and MS are ready to enter the next gen of projection after traditional TV

[sarshelyam]

Sounds impressive...which means it will be priced out mine, and many other's budgets.

[Razuel]

Looks like CastAR Augmented Reality feature w/o the table mat, could replace tablets? that would be neat. Maybe facebook should have talked with Microsoft before that big buyout.

[level 360]

Compared with VR goggles I do believe this AR/HoloLens will have more uses with gaming as with other real-world topics/issues.

VR has a more focused area like gaming only or engineering/design only etc.

Do think *responsiveness and *updates will have to be worked on properly for these ( VR and AR ) new-tech gadgets.

[Knightofelemia]

I wonder if these things are going to have the insane stupid price that Google glass had. Microsoft tablets are already expensive.

[jznrpg]

This looks neat , not sure it will work for games i enjoy but only time will tell. I am more interested in VR myself , but more tech is better , i just wonder how it will work in real world gaming. I am not a monecraft person but my kids love it . Money isnt the issue for me , it is the type of games that will run on it and how will it add to what I like. Cool tech either way.

[St0rmbr1nger1111]

Even Peter Molyneux is cautioning against over-promising the Hololens. This is especially ironic considering it's coming from Peter Molyneux.

"It did remind me of [Kinect]. You kind of want to scream 'don't over promise these things'...My fear is that when you actually put the device on you're not as blown away as you should be"

Here is whole article:
http://www.gamesindustry.bi...

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

I want to dabble with this in person to really see how much of the "demos" & trailers were truly fabricated!

[Killzoner99]

Ha this is just vaporware that MS is showing off to sell Xbones. If you think this is going to be released to the general public then you are truly naive. Project Morpheus is a REAL thing that is actually being released for the PS4. Also TRUE virtual reality is much more immersive than a hologram IMHO.

[Zoloftuser]

Wow! Even PS fans are jealous.

[Spore_777]

Reminds me of SixthSense. Anyone know where that went?