Microsoft Enters the Smart Glasses Market

Microsoft recently announced their entry into the smart glasses market with the Microsoft HoloLens 2. As a pioneer in augmented reality (AR) technology, Microsoft aims to revolutionize how we interact with information and our surroundings.

Overview of Microsoft’s History in AR/VR

Microsoft has been investing in augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) technology for over two decades. Their initial foray into this space started in the 1990s with the Virtual Worlds Group that developed VR goggles. In recent years, Microsoft ramped up their efforts significantly:

• In 2016, Microsoft released the first-generation HoloLens AR headset. This allowed users to interact with digital objects overlaid on the real world.

• In 2019, Microsoft introduced the second-generation HoloLens 2 headset which featured enhanced optics, ergonomics, and hand-tracking.

• The company acquired several AR/VR companies including AltspaceVR and MRTF to boost their hardware and software capabilities.

• Microsoft also developed the Azure Kinect camera sensor and Azure spatial anchors to enable next-gen mixed reality experiences.

Microsoft has established itself as an AR/VR pioneer and the HoloLens 2 represents its vision for the future of computing. The company is now poised to be a leading player in the nascent smart glasses market.

Key Features and Capabilities of the HoloLens 2

The Microsoft HoloLens 2 contains a wealth of cutting-edge features:

• It offers a 120° x 120° field of view – double that of the HoloLens 1 – providing a more immersive experience.

• The eye-tracking sensors enable users to control menus and other functions with just their eyes.

• Hand-tracking allows users to directly interact with holograms using hand gestures and motions.

• It incorporates a depth camera, spatial sound, inertial sensors, and an environmental understanding system called Azure Spatial Anchors.

• The headset is self-contained and runs on a custom Microsoft Holographic Processing Unit.

In essence, the HoloLens 2 aims to blend holograms seamlessly with the real world through intuitive controls and environment sensing capabilities.

Target Markets and Use Cases

Microsoft is positioning the HoloLens 2 for enterprise usage. Its key target sectors include:

Manufacturing and Construction

• Overlaying design models and work instructions onto factory floors or construction sites.

• Remotely collaborating with colleagues via holographic conferencing.

Healthcare

• Viewing holographic representations of MRI, X-ray data during procedures or training.

• Enabling more immersive medical education through mixed reality simulations.

Retail and Education

• Creating interactive product demos and immersive training programs.

• Transforming field trips, museums, and classrooms into augmented learning spaces.

The HoloLens 2 aims to increase productivity, improve training, and enable collaboration across multiple industries. Its enterprise focus aligns with Microsoft’s strengths in workplace software and cloud services.

Comparisons to Other Major Players

Microsoft faces competition from other tech giants exploring the AR/VR space:

• Magic Leap – Their Magic Leap 1 headset has similar capabilities but remains far more limited in terms of apps and market reach.

• Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 – More narrowly focused on enterprise and industrial use cases. Lacks the immersive capabilities of HoloLens.

• Facebook/Oculus – Facebook’s Oculus division focuses on consumer-oriented virtual reality rather than enterprise augmented reality applications.

Due to Microsoft’s vast resources, enterprise sales channels, and software ecosystem, they are uniquely positioned to succeed in the nascent smart glasses market. Their deep AR/VR expertise also gives them a competitive advantage.

The Future and Potential of HoloLens

As a pioneer in empowering productivity with technology, Microsoft aims to drive widespread adoption of augmented reality through the HoloLens platform. Their ambitious vision for the future includes:

• Developing the underlying AR cloud platform and capabilities.

• Fostering a robust ecosystem of first and third-party apps.

• Partnering with more hardware makers to expand availability of HoloLens technology.

• Making smart glasses more affordable and accessible over time.

• Expanding use cases across entertainment, gaming, and the consumer segment.

If successful, Microsoft has the opportunity to spearhead the next major computing platform and fundamentally transform how we interact with information through smart glasses and holograms. The HoloLens 2 represents a major step towards realizing their expansive vision. Its blend of cutting-edge capabilities and enterprise focus makes Microsoft a front-runner in the race to define the future of computing.