The Virtual Reality Revolution is coming. Whether you like it or not, VR is the next big thing in video games. I’m keen on using the technology more than the limited experience I’ve had with it at trade shows and the like.
While I know that the technology works as intended, and I believe that there will indeed be a great many worthwhile VR experiences, I have a hard time believing that the tech will take off as much as those selling it would like.
Something I do think will actually be a more viable technology though, is augmented reality – much like Microsoft’s seemingly magical Hololens. Once again, I don’t think its use for videogames will be all that expansive, but it’ll get use outside of that realm, and like VR, be used extensively in the medical and engineering fields. One aspect of Augmented Reality that I’m quite keen to see though, is the technology being used to replace traditional screens.
What use would you have for a physical desktop monitor if you could just project a virtual one in front of you? It sounds like futuristic space magic, but it’s one of the things about the technology that actually works. And now, one of Hololens’ engineers has show it off, streaming Halo 5 (using Windows 10’s Xbox Streaming) in to space.
“Wish you could take Halo with you everywhere you go?” asks MS engineer Varun Mani rhetorically. “Now you can with HoloLens”
That’s pretty amazing. The only problem with this tech, is that right now, it’s not economically viable in the slightest. Development Kits are shipping out next year, but at an eye-watering $3000, that’s just beyond the reach of the average human. Of course, that doesn’t mean the retail version will cost anything near that – but it’ll still likely be too damned expensive.
Last Updated: December 2, 2015
Admiral Chief - CHAAARGE!
December 3, 2015 at 07:12
Ummm, I read somewhere yesterday (or the day before) that MS closed a whole hololens department in Israel (or somewhere there)
WitWolfy
December 3, 2015 at 07:24
That was a hollow thing of them to do.
miaau
December 3, 2015 at 08:25
Seen it several times, sad to say. Newspapers report company “merger” and six months later half the smaller company is let go in a sudden restructuring. Basically, sometimes people build in a “protect existing staff for period X” clause into sale agreement, or the buying company waits for the dust to settle before taking such action.
Edit* often a tech company purchase is less about the company and clients than the gaining control of the IP.
Patents are important.
Geoffrey Tim
December 3, 2015 at 07:51
They “let go” of 60 staff from the company they bought. Good economic management (on business side). Bad news for employees.
WitWolfy
December 3, 2015 at 07:23
Choo choo!
Kromas untamed
December 3, 2015 at 07:43
I am a huge proponent of the Hololens and when it drops to retail I will be getting one. On that note if you think the price is too much just remember that the latest iPhone is over R20k and they have been selling like hotcakes. I mean come on. 10 year old tech with a barely functional OS sells for R20k!!!
miaau
December 3, 2015 at 08:23
New tech is always expensive. Production quantities and new techniques bring the price down over time.
If it works on any form of commercial level, the price will come down. Also, copy cat systems will help drive the price down from the market “starter” products as well, by offering new, perhaps more niche services as well as a cheaper starting price. Fairly standard pattern. if people buy the initial products, even in small batches.
HairyEwok
December 3, 2015 at 08:54
Hold up, didn’t they need a “special” equipped camera to make people see what the hololens user saw.
Gardos
December 3, 2015 at 09:28
Also my first thought…