Microsoft is rolling out an update for its bespoke augmented reality version of Windows, bringing new features to the HoloLens 2 headset. Windows Holographic 22H1 makes improvements to the platform, including the Moving Platform Mode, while also bringing new gestures into the Start Menu.
Elsewhere, Microsoft is adding new settings for color blind users in Windows Holographic. Finally, there is additional support for the new Power and Thermal SDK. On top of that, Microsoft has made the usual unnamed enhancements while also fixing bugs.
Full Changelog
“We have made some great improvements for our last flagship feature, Moving Platform Mode. Moving out of the beta phase, there's new improved methods for enabling Moving Platform Mode and new settings you can configure while using it such as setting the down direction to be a different direction than gravity. Here's 3 new ways to enable Moving Platform Mode which is different depending on how or when you want it enabled.
- Moving Platform Mode Settings – Toggle Moving Platform Mode and more via Settings – End users
- Moving Platform Mode MDM policies – Configures new MPM settings via MDM – IT Admins
- Moving Platform Mode SDK – Configures MPM via Apps – Developers
Start gestures settings – These are a new solution for those who want to keep the Start menu from appearing while doing tasks that involve looking downwards and actively using their hands. There are several options you can use or combine, such as requiring the user to look at their wrist or holding the icon for two seconds.
Power and Thermal SDK for apps – Try out this hot new feature for when it gets hotter in temperature. If you are in a warm environment or are pushing your app to the limits, and you've built your own app, then you can include this SDK to include notification events and have custom actions. These can help keep your app running longer.
Color-blind mode – Color-blind mode is a feature that makes HoloLens more accessible using new color filters that can help make things easier to view. Try it, you might be surprised at the difference it makes.
Single app kiosk policy for launching other apps – A new Mixed Reality policy, that allows you to launch specific apps from a Single App Kiosk app. This is useful if you want to use a specific app, but might need access to Settings to change Wi-fi, or Edge to perform a sign in.”
HoloLens 2 Changes
Windows Holographic 22H1 arrives as the future of HoloLens becomes uncertain. In recent months, it has emerged Microsoft is unlikely to build a HoloLens 3. Reports suggest the company will instead partner with Samsung on a new product, likely to run Windows Holographic.
Also recently, reports suggested the US Army is unhappy with developments in its HoloLens partnership with Microsoft.
Tip of the day: Though many VPN providers have their own apps, you can in many cases connect to a VPN in Windows without any third-party software. This is ideal if you have a self-hosted VPN or if you're using a PC with restricted permissions. In our tutorial, we're showing you how to connect to a VPN in Windows.
