From its first announcement, the Microsoft HoloLens has captured the significant attention of mass media, developers, companies, and businesses.
This is understandable, considering its stated capabilities and configuration. The standalone, head-mounted display was one of the most anticipated technological devices to be released this year and, after its introduction, has quickly found its application across many industries. With HoloLens now on the market, rules have changed and people are exploring whole new approaches to existing technology, including everything from making a long-distance video call with your friend to destroying the enemy spaceship in a game and constructing a building.
The HoloLens headset establishes a mix of both real world and virtual imagery, introducing a previously-unknown concept now called “holographic computing.” While developing this hardware, Microsoft corporation intended to create a device that will give us an opportunity to interact with multiple spaces (real and virtual) at the same time, providing an immersive and realistic experience. They assembled a headset that has a built-in advanced holographic processor and contains multiple sensors that understand gestures, gazes, and even voices. Since the device can be controlled using these capabilities, it leaves the user hands-free and gives him or her more freedom to perform a variety of tasks. With see-through lenses, a user sees holograms in the physical environment and perceives them as real objects.
Considering its capacities and configuration, HoloLens is a very extraordinary headset and definitely the first step in a whole new generation of hardware. But could a standalone holographic computer replace the standard PC that has been our only opportunity for so many years? Is it possible for HoloLens to surpass the existing experience and end the era of conventional typing and clicking?
To answer this question, we are taking a look at why HoloLens is a perfect candidate to take the place of all modern devices, how can it do that, and what obstacles it has along the way.
HoloLens combines the world we are living in with the digital environment we prefer to spend our time in, generating new experiences and taking technology beyond the standard concepts. Being the first autonomous, head-mounted display that does not require wires or additional hardware to function, it processes holograms in a natural environment and in real time. Holograms, at the same time, behave as real objects and are embedded in the surrounding mindful laws of physics, space, and motion.
But for many people, these words are just “beautiful nonsense” that have no proof. Do not judge it too quickly; the proof is on its way!
Microsoft promotional videos showed us that 3D modelers and designers are able to build 3D objects (and even the entire scene) based on the real-time environmental scans that HoloLens performs. It recognizes the real objects in the room, builds their surfaces, and covers them with a kind of a mesh. For prototyping, it means that 3D scanning may go into oblivion since HoloLens allows for a digitally overlaying initial model and manipulating wireframes to create more details and features.
All of that is possible thanks to the HoloStudio inside the HoloLens, which takes the power of traditional 2D screens and brings it to the 3D space, improving artistic visualization and 3D modeling.
For development teams that are in the middle of brainstorming their product, the use of HoloLens is a light at the end of a tunnel. While all people in the room wear these holographic devices, they can put a 3D model or product hologram on the discussion table so everyone can explore every angle of it. Moreover, each of them can interact with the model at the same time, and if one makes or suggests a certain change, HoloLens devices will track it and display an updated model in a matter of seconds. In other words, a team can look at the same model while synchronously discussing and modifying the model in real-time without buffering delays.
Thanks to Universal Windows Platform that allows programmers to develop the application once and they deploy it for every Windows devices, including HoloLens, most of our favorite apps for virtual meetings (such as Skype, Google Hangout, and GoToMeeting), Microsoft Office (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint), mail services, maps, browsers, social media (such as Twitter), and media players (such as VLC, Movies & TV) can be enjoyed through a holographic device as well.
However, what HoloLens offers is a whole new level of desktop experience – it becomes virtual now. Client/colleague interaction through virtual meetings, work with documents, watching videos, and even surfing the Internet acquire a new meaning with voice commands and a set of gestures.
HoloLens brings a holographic experience without any markers, wires, smartphones, external cameras, microphones, and controllers. Why can’t it be an ideal candidate for the role of a new and improved computer?
First of all, HoloLens has a great optics set. According to the Microsoft official website, the device uses two built-in HD 16:9 light engines with a holographic resolution of 2.3M total light points, a holographic density of more than 2.5k radiants, and automatic pupillary distance calibration. In simple words, its operating principle is based on transmitting photon beams to the user’s eyes. And with a limited field-of-view, this technology allows for displaying virtual content more distinctly and legibly. However, a closer look at the holograms show that the resolution is still not very high. Moreover, when asking Cortana, a Microsoft virtual personal assistant, to take a picture, the resolution appears to be extremely low compared to standard screenshot resolution inside other familiar devices.
Furthermore, as of 2016, HoloLens works only with a definite set of applications presented at Microsoft Store and specifically designed for this holographic device. So, unfortunately, you should not expect it to run your favorite video editor or chat app. That is a huge downside of HoloLens as a candidate for replacing personal computers (and smartphones from a long-term perspective).
One more fly in the ointment is HoloLens’ weight. Of course, compared to PCs and HTC Vive, for instance, that is nothing. However, if we are talking about smartphones – HoloLens is heavy and uncomfortable. Some people may not like to wear it for a long time while surfing the web or talking to a friend, even though the overhead strap and little wheel on the back allow for adjusting the tightness of the device.
Microsoft did some great work with the HoloLens, which includes inventing their own fully independent HPU (Holographic Processor Unit). The terabytes of external and internal information, such as voice commands, gestures, environmental scanning, etc., from built-in sensors are running through the HPU and related hardware in real-time, allowing users to produce new holographic experiences and share them within the holographic landscape. Even through the HoloLens capabilities are pretty limited for now, the resolution is lower than we hoped and there are not many applications available, the holographic world adds new dimensions across many industries ranging from space exploration and education to product design and gaming.
HoloLens definitely could take the place of PC as a preferred workplace. However, there is a long way to go to achieve it (and even longer to replace smartphones). Certainly, the whole concept of holographic platforms is absolutely amazing, and HoloLens itself introduces a new way to perceiving virtual content, but like the first personal computer in 1971, it requires modifications, additional features, and improvements. HoloLens is a revolutionary headset that definitely will be considered the one that marked the beginning of an era of holographic devices.
For more features, visit What Mobile’s dedicated features page.
