Microsoft Announces Hololens 2

Microsoft has revealed the newest iteration of the augmented reality visor headset, Hololens. The new Hololens has some major additions and improvements to the concept and is aimed squarely at businesses for right now.

The interface now eschews the swipe-based buttons of the original in favor of direct manipulation of objects. The headset itself is now simpler to put on and doesn't require the Steampunk-style knobs and dials for a good fit as the previous version did.

All these improvements come with a hefty price tag as the Hololens 2 will cost about $3500, thus mainly being targeted toward businesses. Microsoft announced Unreal Engine 4 support for Hololens software, which does not necessarily mean the headset will be used for games, but it does make any potential game development a possibly. Businesses will be able to grab a Hololens 2 later this year.

Say hello to #HoloLens2. pic.twitter.com/eVBQ9OUeM1

— Microsoft HoloLens (@HoloLens) February 24, 2019

Microsoft's HoloLens Is Now Shipping To Developers

During Microsoft's Build conference, Microsoft announced HoloLens is now shipping to developers. Microsoft also announced the source code will also be available today, which means those interested in making apps for the new system can do so. What do you think of HoloLens ?

UPDATE 10/15/16 - Microsoft HoloLens is now available for pre-order in the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Germany through the Microsoft Store. They will begin shipping in late November.

Pre-Order Your HoloLens Development Edition Today

Microsoft has announced that the HoloLens Development Edition is available to pre-order now. Microsoft is seeking developers to hop on board and begin creating software for there augmented reality headset and is currently taking applications from Windows Insiders in the United States and Canada. HoloLens chief and Windows Apps Studio VP Kudo Tsunoda explained that Microsoft is committed to providing the development community with the best experience possible and confirmed the HoloLens Development Edition will ship with all the documentation developers will require and a pile of tutorial videos. Microsoft will also provide a free portfolio of holographic experiences such as HoloLens version of Skype and HoloStudio (a program designed to allow people to design in 3D at real-world scale), along with a few games. Fragments is a crime drama designed to allow players to investigate crimes that are seemingly occurring in their own living rooms, Young Conker is a platform game that uses rooms in your home as the levels themselves, and RoboRaid is a first-person shooter that will see enemies appearing to crash through the walls of your house. You can see the Apps in action by visiting the Microsoft HoloLens Youtube channel.  Visit 

www.HoloLens.com to apply for the Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition for the low price of $3,000 (That was a joke). The Development Edition will ship before the end of March 2016. Its still early for me to give an opinion on HoloLens, but I will say that price is key and i don’t expect this to be cheap at all. What do yo think of HoloLens ?

Microsoft Chief Executive Says Xbox One, Games And HoloLens Are The Key To The Company’s Future

Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella has said gaming on Xbox One, PC, and HoloLens belongs at the heart of his vision for the future of Microsoft. In a mission statement sent to Microsoft employees, Nadella said gaming will be key in a broader vision for Windows. "We will pursue our gaming ambition as part of this broader vision for Windows and increase its appeal to consumers. We will bring together Xbox Live and our first-party gaming efforts across PC, console, mobile and new categories like HoloLens into one integrated play." What do you think of Microsofts new mission statement ? Will this help the company ? 

Mass Effect Director Joins Microsoft’s HoloLens Project

Microsoft has announced that Casey Hudson has joined the publisher as Creative Director. Hudson was the director on a number of BioWare titles, including Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and all 3 Mass Effect games. Hudson will be leading creative direction for HoloLens, Microsoft’s augmented reality peripheral. He will also be working to make new Xbox titles, Hudson said in an Xbox Wire interview. “I will be involved in driving a creative focus for Xbox and Windows gaming, and I couldn’t be more excited to be involved in that.”

Microsoft Will Show Off HoloLens At E3

Back in January, Microsoft announced a new augmented reality project called HoloLens. In addition to releasing a new YouTube channel for the Hololens, Microsoft's revamped HoloLens website confirmed that this augmented reality headset would be showcased at E3 this year, which will be held from June 16-18 in Los Angeles. You can watch the HoloLens  video below. What do you think of HoloLens ? Is this the future ?