Last week our Patently Apple blog reported on the Google Glass Project going underground until further notice. Google is going to try and reinvent their augmented reality device at some point in the future. In hindsight we can now see why Google chose to make that announcement so public at that particular point in time. Today Microsoft introduced HoloLens, an all-new holographic headset that will be powered by Windows 10. It's both an Oculus Rift and Google Glass Killer.
Today, Microsoft's Alex Kipman, who is considered one of the "fathers of the Kinect" and who joined one of Microsoft's wearable projects back in 2013, introduced the Microsoft HoloLens during the Windows 10 event. Kipman announced that every build of Windows 10 would have support for holographic user interfaces that users would be able to interact with in 3D.
For the record, Microsoft filed for a number of headset patents over the years and we reported on a couple of them. The first was titled "Microsoft Invents Advanced Optics for Future Xbox Eyewear," while the second was titled "Microsoft Invents Projector Eyewear for Xbox & Beyond." Our Patently Apple IP Blog also reported on rumor about such a headset in 2014 which was titled "Microsoft Rumored to be Preparing an Xbox VR Headset for 2015." So in that respect, today's announcement is fulfilling elements of patents that were on record.
On another note, Microsoft's HoloLens is also far ahead of Facebook's Oculus Rift as it will not only apply to Xbox games but also to advanced CAD applications and so much more. The Oculus Rift via Samsung's Gear VR is a joke compared to Microsoft's technology that doesn't require a smartphone to power it.
Kipman went on to describe how Microsoft had to create a whole new processor for HoloLens and that the device would also integrate spatial sound so as to create an all new user experience when in use with future gaming, entertainment, 3D CAM and other areas. It was mentioned that NASA is now using this technology to help astronauts prepare for their mission to Mars.
While Microsoft demonstrated this new device through the eyes of one wearing it, I just couldn't see this device being a mass market device for years if not a decade down the road. Was it interesting? Yes. But it truly felt more like a huge, loud gimmick before introducing Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella so as to give him something to bounce off of for his keynote message.
Beyond HoloLens, the Microsoft event showing off Windows 10 presented ideas that everyone on the net already knew was coming from leaked news this week. CNN reported yesterday that the event was likely to cover Xbox integration, a new browser called Spartan, Continuum (all apps across all Windows 10 devices, and Cortana for the desktop. That's what the event covered.
All played out on stage with very few surprises. Yet I had interest in Cortana coming to Windows 10 for the desktop. It will be able to work with Microsoft's entire suite of apps so that you can ask Cortana to pull any file, document, tune, photo or Xbox game you want without any fuss. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out when Windows 10 arrives.
Microsoft Surface Hub
The only other interesting development revealed today during the Windows 10 event was an all-new large screen white board for the enterprise called Surface Hub. The new device is technically an 84-inch 4K display that's a computer able to handle multitouch and surface pen input, has a built-in camera, speakers, microphones and more importantly, a new version of Skype for the enterprise. The two demonstrations covered "Meetings" and "Brainstorming." Whether these were a part of built-in apps wasn't really clear.
The one interesting demo showed how easy it was to manipulate a 3D CAD file on screen so as to assist the group in discussing a particular problem they had to work on. Engineers and architects are going to love this tool with or without HoloLens.
Surface Hub was impressive, even if it was only version 1.0. It was impressive because those in the meeting could access the content, or the meeting itself, on any desktop or mobile device supporting Windows 10 in real time. So meetings on the fly could bring in experts or colleagues wherever they are and contribute to the meeting.
As for Windows 10 returning the traditional desktop to users, I think it could spur on sales later this year as the Metro interface will no longer apply when in desktop mode. On the other hand, Microsoft is introducing a new browser with Windows 10 that some may not appreciate at this juncture. They should have waited for Windows 10.1 to introduce a new browser and make it optional at first. The majority of Windows desktop users just want their traditional desktop returned to them with the same old Internet Explorer that their familiar with. Microsoft really doesn't get that point. Then again, they're just trying to balance the needs for old and new Windows users which isn't always easy to do.
The Bottom Line
There was a lot of build up going into today's Windows 10 event. Some decried that this was Microsoft's last chance to make the case why Windows was still relevant. I found the event somewhat interesting – it ultimately failed to deliver any kind of meaningful punch that their critics were looking for. That's why they threw in the HoloLens that's probably not really ready for prime time.
Microsoft desperately needed to look like they could still make a meaningful and "cool" contribution to the industry. Something iPhone-like perhaps; something with a whiz-bang feel to it; something marking a special moment in time. Yet while Alex Kipman tried his very best to use every enthusiastic adjective he could muster and talk up Microsoft's "secret project" that was years in the making, it just didn't connect to what I was actually seeing in the presentation. Yes, it will get a few "wows" thrown its way for a few quick moments at first glance followed by "snores" of total boredom.
Putting aside their pixie-dust, those who wanted to hear Microsoft confirm once again that they'll be returning the traditional desktop to Windows 10 were pleased. Interestingly Microsoft spent all of 30 seconds on this feature just to show you how bored and disappointed they are that they were forced to backpedal on their OS vision in order to satisfy their backward minded customers. As quick as they could they shifted to new features that were oh-so important to them, like introducing auto photo correction: zzzzznore
Yet the lack of showmanship aside, for those who need to be productive and make every moment count, Windows 10 will be the breakthrough you'll appreciate for allowing you to access your work on any device at any time seamlessly. And for many, that's all that will really matters.
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