HomeWinBuzzer NewsMicrosoft Confirms HoloLens 2 Coming to More Developers

Microsoft Confirms HoloLens 2 Coming to More Developers

Microsoft says it will finally bring its HoloLens 2 augmented reality headset and related platform to more developers.

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has decided to expand the availability of to more developers. This a step that has taken some time as the augmented reality headset has remained out of reach for many dev's despite it being announced over a year ago.

HoloLens 2 was announced last February. Despite Microsoft saying the device is enterprise-only, a Development Edition arrived soon after. However, the whole point of the edition has been lost. Microsoft has been slow to roll out HoloLens 2 to developers.

Microsoft's second-generation AR platform was quickly launching in the United Kingdom, United States, China, Japan, Canada, Ireland, Germany, New Zealand, France, and Australia. However, dev availability remained relatively low.

Speaking earlier this year, HoloLens chief said Microsoft is manufacturing to keep up with demand. He said major enterprise partners were the first priority. Speaking to RoadtoVR, Microsoft now says availability is opening up to more developers.

“Microsoft Store agents are connecting with everyone who submitted a form, starting with those who signed up first and working to the present. Given the unprecedented demand, this may take some time.”

Full Specs

For developers coming to the HoloLens experience for the first time, here is the specsheet for the second generation.

Display:

  • Optics – See-through holographic lenses (waveguides)
  • Resolution –  2k 3:2 light engines
  • Holographic Density –  >2.5k radiants (light points per radian)
  • Eye-based Rendering –  Display optimization for 3D eye position

Sensors & Audio:

  • Depth – Azure Kinect sensor
  • IMU –  Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer
  • Camera –  8MP stills, 1080p30 video
  • Microphone Array –  5 channels
  • Speakers – Built-in, Spatial Audio

Human Understanding:

  • Hand Tracking – Two-handed fully articulated model, direct manipulation
  • Eye Tracking – Real-time tracking
  • Voice – Command and control on-device, Natural Language with internet connectivity

Environmental Understanding:

  • 6DoF Tracking – World-scale positional tracking
  • Spatial Mapping –  Real-time environment mesh
  • Mixed Reality Capture – Mixed hologram and physical environment photos and videos

Compute & Connectivity:

  • SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 Compute Platform
  • HPU: 2nd Generation Custom-built Holographic Processing Unit
  • WiFi: 802.11ac 2×2
  • Bluetooth: 5.0
  • USB: USB Type-C

Power:

  • Battery Life – 2-3 hours of active use
  • Charging – USB Power Delivery – Fast Charging
  • Thermals – Passively Cooled

Fit:

  • Size – Fits over glasses, size using adjustment dial

Software:

  • Windows Holographic OS
  • Edge
  • Remote Assist
  • Layout
  • Guides
  • 3D Viewer
  • OneDrive for Business

Last Updated on November 25, 2020 1:24 pm CET by Luke Jones

SourceRoadtoVR
Luke Jones
Luke Jones
Luke has been writing about all things tech for more than five years. He is following Microsoft closely to bring you the latest news about Windows, Office, Azure, Skype, HoloLens and all the rest of their products.

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