Last week, Microsoft announced new abilities for HoloLens 2 that will provide AR productivity and collaboration solutions for the metaverse. One of the standout new features is the ability to integrate directly with Microsoft Team from HoloLens 2.
Using the augmented reality headset, users can join a meeting, add contacts, add new contacts, and call people directly on Microsoft Teams.
This is a part of Microsoft’s wider productivity push for HoloLens 2. Other abilities include the ability to open holographic windows that shows chats, display and work on Word documents, manage PDF files, access OneDrive, and watch videos.
These holographic windows can be resized and positioned wherever the HoloLens 2 wearer wants.
For its latest updates, Microsoft is leveraging the combined power of Dynamics 365 Mixed Reality Apps with the Power Platform, Microsoft Teams, Azure, and OneDrive.
All these solutions working together provide productivity gains and collaboration tools that are powered by Microsoft cloud.
“No matter where they are, HoloLens 2 users can summon an array of holographic windows with a Teams call or chat, a Power BI dashboard, a Word document, a PDF or video, their OneDrive folder, or their calendar and operate in an immersive, 3D experience.”
HoloLens 3
In the same blog post, Microsoft also said it will eventually make a HoloLens 3, but the conditions must be perfect for customers.
Microsoft Vice President of Mixed Reality, Scott Evans, says the company will launch a HoloLens 3 eventually. However, he says that it will only happen when Microsoft can deliver a meaningful update to the hardware.
In other words, the company wants to avoid an incremental update:
“No one wants to be obsoleted for 10% better capabilities. They don’t need a successor yet, but they want to know it will be there at the right time,” says Evans.
“We’re just looking for the right design point to make it a meaningful update. They want a successor device that’s going to enable an even higher return on investment.”
Tip of the day: For the most part, Windows apps are stable, but they can still be still thrown out of whack by updates or configuration issues. Many boot their PC to find their Microsoft Store isn’t working or their Windows apps aren’t opening. Luckily Windows 11 and Windows 10 have an automatic repair feature for apps that can resolve such issues.
