‘‘The future is here, and we’re all wearing face masks’’. Welcome to the 21st century! With technology, we have advanced from the ENIAC computer invented by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly back in 1943 to a virtually holographic computer known as the Microsoft Hololens.
What exactly is a hololens? HoloLens is a holographic computer built into a headset that lets you see, hear, and interact with 3 dimensional holograms within an environment such as a office or living space. Microsoft has built the headset without the need to be wired to a PC and has used high-definition lenses and sound technology to create that immersive, interactive holographic experience.
Since holograms are a relatively new technology, the Microsoft Hololens is still under developer’s stage. Regarding its tech, the Hololens is fitted with ‘semitransparent holographic lenses’ that provide 3 dimensional full color holograms. This means not everyone in the room will be able to see the projected image. It is pretty much the same as Google glass but the Hololens uses the real world as the background to overlay the projected hologram.
Microsoft has fitted the Hololens with series of sensors and a highly powered CPU and GPU. The headset contains an ambient light sensor, a camera that measures dept and four cameras to understand the surrounding environment, all of which combine to give you a virtual environment. On the top of the headset is a 2mp camera to capture and record videos and photos and four microphones to record voice.
As a normal computer would contain, Microsoft has fitted the hololens with 64GB memory, 2GB RAM, Bluetooth and Built in Wi-fi Connectivity. When powered up, the maximum battery life will be three hours. Yes that’s pretty low for a such an advance tech. However, we are still in the developer stage and within the coming years we would see major upgrades to the battery life
There’s no talk about price yet. But Microsoft had given out the developer’s kit for 3000 dollars back in early 2016. So here’s your chance to help Microsoft and change the world! During Microsoft Statement in January 2017, ‘‘Microsoft HoloLens is hopeful that it will be partnering with PC makers including Dell, Acer, HP, Lenovo and 3Glasses, which will release third-party headsets based on HoloLens technology over the coming months. These will be available much cheaper with prices starting at a more attractive $299, although unlike HoloLens they will need to be tethered to a PC’’
Would I consider buying it? Obviously with the features and specs but I would wait for a consumer edition and an affordable price.
Sources Used: trustedreviews.com, cnet.com, microsoft.com
Featured Image Credit: (Microsoft.com Photo)
EYAS 