Windows Holographic is important to Microsoft’s strategy for bringing virtual reality to everyone. The company discussed how the technology that underpins HoloLens will be a big part of the Windows 10 Creators Update. In an effort to bring Windows Holographic to more developers, Microsoft is working on a C++ library that allows HoloLens creations through JavaScript.
At the moment, developers use Universal Windows Platform (UWP) tools to develop HoloLens experiences. With the new tool, called “HoloJS”, dev’s will be able to build with JavaScript and WebGL for UWP HoloLens apps.
According to the GitHub repository, HoloJS is an open source project powered by Microsoft’s ChakraCore. Using Microsoft’s JavaScript engine, developers can easily create with Windows Holographic.
Microsoft described the new ability:
“HoloJS is a framework for creating UWP applications using JavaScript and WebGL. HoloJS is a C++ library that hosts Chakra to run JavaScript code, and also hosts ANGLE to handle OpenGL ES graphics calls. OpenGL ES calls are translated from WebGL calls by the JavaScript app. When running on a Microsoft HoloLens, HoloJS supports holographic rendering.”
The GitHub documentation is available here and at the source. The documentation includes instructions to start developing. There are some requirements before dev’s start creating HoloLens apps with JavaScript. Chief among them are the need for Visual Studio 2016 with Update 3 and Microsoft’s HoloLens emulator.
Windows Holographic Shell
Microsoft announced the Windows Holographic shell for PCs in August. The company confirmed a 2017 release date and detailed spec requirements for machines. Windows Holographic is a framework for developers and manufacturers.
The shell gives dev’s access to Microsoft’s virtual Windows 10 and allows them to blend 3D and 2D applications. This allows the easy development of UWP apps in virtual reality and augmented reality. Microsoft’s HoloLens runs AR, while the company has recently embraced VR fully with plans to make virtual reality accessible.