Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
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Type | Mixed reality |
Website | www |
Part of a series of articles on |
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Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) is a discontinued platform by Microsoft which provides augmented reality and virtual reality experiences with compatible head-mounted displays.
WMR supports a number of virtual and augmented reality headsets, including Microsoft HoloLens. In December 2023, Microsoft announced deprecation of WMR with complete removal in a future release of Windows Windows 11 version 24H2 expected to arrive in late-2024. [1]
Its flagship device, Microsoft HoloLens, was announced at the "Windows 10: The Next Chapter" press event on January 21, 2015. [2] The HoloLens provides an augmented reality experience where a live presentation of physical real-world elements is incorporated with that of virtual elements (referred to as "holograms" [lower-alpha 1] by Microsoft) [3] [4] [5] such that they are perceived to exist together in a shared environment. A variant of Windows for augmented reality computers [6] (which augment a real-world physical environment with virtual elements) Windows Mixed Reality features an augmented-reality operating environment in which any Universal Windows Platform app can run. [7]
The platform is also used for virtual reality headsets designed for use on the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, which are built to specifications implemented as part of Windows Mixed Reality, but lack support for augmented-reality experiences. In January 2023, Microsoft laid off entire teams which were developing HoloLens, Virtual Reality, and Mixed Reality products. [8] On December 21, 2023, Microsoft announced that WMR has been deprecated and will be removed in Windows 11 version 24H2 [9] expected in late-2024. [10] [11] On February 8, 2024, Microsoft announced Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26052, which removes WMR components. [12]
In April 2024, Meta Platforms announced Microsoft as a third-party hardware partner for its Android-based "Horizon OS" platform (as used on Meta Quest headsets), with plans for a "limited edition" Quest model under the Xbox brand. [13] [14]
The premier device for Windows Mixed Reality, [6] Microsoft HoloLens is a smart-glasses headset that is a cordless, self-contained Windows 10 computer running Windows 10 Holographic. It uses various sensors, a high-definition stereoscopic 3D optical head-mounted display, and spatial sound to allow for augmented reality applications, with a natural user interface that the user interacts with through gaze, voice, and hand gestures. [15] [16] [17] Codenamed "Project Baraboo", HoloLens had been in development for five years before its announcement in 2015, but was conceived earlier as the original pitch made in late 2007 for what would become the Kinect technology platform. [17] [18]
Microsoft has targeted HoloLens for release "in the Windows 10 timeframe", with the Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition to begin shipping March 30, 2016, available by application to developers in the United States and Canada for a list price of US$3000. [2] [19] Although the Development Edition is considered to be consumer-ready hardware, as of February 2016 Microsoft has not set a time frame for consumer availability of HoloLens, with HoloLens chief inventor Alex Kipman stating that HoloLens will have a consumer release only when the market is ready for it. [20] Companies such as Samsung Electronics and Asus had expressed interest in working with Microsoft to produce their own mixed-reality products based on HoloLens. [21] [22] Intel made a direct competitor called Project Alloy with its system called "Merged Reality"; however, it has been cancelled as of September 22, 2017. [23] [24] [25]
In October 2016 during a hardware event, Microsoft announced that multiple OEMs would release virtual reality headsets for the Windows Holographic platform, based on Microsoft reference designs enabling room-scale virtual reality without external sensors or components. [26] In January 2017, prototypes were presented at Consumer Electronics Show for release later in the year, [27] and Microsoft later announced that it planned to release development kits for such headsets during the Game Developers Conference. These devices would be supported by the Windows 10 "Creators Update". [28] At the Game Developers Conference in 2017, Microsoft stated that it intended to support Windows Mixed Reality headsets on Xbox One in 2018, specifically noting the capabilities of the then-upcoming Xbox One X hardware revision, but the company later stated that it was initially focusing on PC platforms first, and that it wanted to focus on wireless VR solutions for consoles. [29] [30]
In October 2017, Microsoft officially launched Windows Mixed Reality and a lineup of third-party headsets for use with the Windows 10 "Fall Creators Update" (including a launch lineup of headsets from Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, and future products from Asus and Samsung), officially referred to as Windows Mixed Reality immersive headsets. [31] Unlike HoloLens, these devices are only compatible with virtual reality software, but the underlying ecosystem is referred to as Windows Mixed Reality regardless of experience. All Immersive headsets feature integrated motion tracking (eschewing standalone sensors), and contain cameras that can be used to track handheld motion controller accessories, which may be bundled with the headset, or distributed as optional accessories. [32] [33]
Immersive headsets are currently compatible with mixed reality software obtained from Microsoft Store, universal apps, and Steam VR-compatible software. [34] [35] The ability to run desktop software was added on the Windows 10 "May 2019 Update". [36] [37]
Microsoft classifies its minimum and recommended system requirements for Windows Mixed Reality as "Windows Mixed Reality PCs" (60 fps) and "Windows Mixed Reality Ultra PCs" (90 fps). The minimum requirements specify an Intel Core i5-7200U or better for laptops, 8 GB of RAM, Intel HD Graphics 620 or better with DirectX 12 support, USB 3.0, HDMI or DisplayPort connections, and Bluetooth 4.0 support for controllers; The Verge noted that users "won't need a high-end gaming PC" to meet these recommendations. [33]
Name | Headset Type | Release Date | Display Type | Resolution (per eye) | Field of View | Audio | Connectivity | Initial Retail Price (USD) | Platform Compatibility | Input |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft HoloLens | Augmented Reality | March 30, 2016 (Development Edition) (Development Edition 2) announced May 2, 2019 | Proprietary | 1268x720 [38] | 34° | Integrated Speakers | Bluetooth 4.1 LE, IEEE 802.11ac |
| Windows Mixed Reality | Hand Gestures and Clicker [39] |
Microsoft HoloLens 2 | Augmented Reality | Announced February 24, 2019 | Proprietary | 2560x1440 [40] | 52° [41] | Integrated Speakers | Bluetooth LE 5.0, 802.11 2x2 WiFi |
| Eye tracking, Spatial Tracking, Hand Tracking | |
Lenovo Explorer** | Virtual Reality | October 17, 2017 | LCD | 1440x1440 | 110° | 3.5 mm audio jack |
| $349 ($449 with controllers) | 6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD* | |
Acer AH101 | Virtual Reality | October 17, 2017 | LCD | 1440x1440 | 100° [43] | 3.5 mm audio jack |
| $399.99 (controllers included) | 6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD* | |
Dell Visor | Virtual Reality | October 17, 2017 | LCD | 1440x1440 | 110° | 3.5 mm audio jack |
| $350 ($450 with controllers) | 6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD* | |
HP WMR headset | Virtual Reality | October 17, 2017 | LCD | 1440x1440 | 100° | 3.5 mm audio jack |
| $449 (controllers included) | 6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD* | |
Samsung Odyssey | Virtual Reality | November 6, 2017 | AMOLED | 1440x1600 | 110° | integrated AKG headphones, built-in microphone |
| $500 | 6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD (has a slightly different controller design to other WMR headsets)* | |
Asus HC102 | Virtual Reality | February 20, 2018 | LCD | 1440x1440 | 95° | 3.5 mm audio jack |
| $399 (controllers included) | 6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD* | |
Samsung Odyssey+ | Virtual Reality | October 22, 2018 | Anti-SDE AMOLED Display | 1440x1600 | 110° | integrated AKG headphones, built-in microphone |
| $500 | 6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD (same controllers as the Samsung Odyssey)* | |
HP Reverb | Virtual Reality | May 6, 2019 | LCD | 2160x2160 | 114° | removable headphones, two integrated microphones, 3.5 mm audio jack |
| $599 Consumer Edition $649 Professional Edition [46] | 6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD* | |
Acer OJO 500 | Virtual Reality | October 17, 2019 | LCD | 1440x1440 | 100° | removable headphones, two integrated microphones, 3.5 mm audio jack |
| $399.99 (controllers included) | 6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD* | |
HP Reverb G2 | Virtual Reality | October 31, 2020 | LCD | 2160x2160 | 114° | Valve 'off-ear' headphones, [47] two integrated microphones |
| $600 (controllers included) | 6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD (new controller design.*) |
* Note: Windows Mixed Reality headsets are also compatible with Xbox One Controllers. [48]
** The Lenovo Explorer is also sold in some regions as the Medion Erazer X1000 MR Glasses.
Mixed Reality Portal is a Universal Windows Platform app that serves as a front-end for Windows Mixed Reality. It features a 3D environment which users can explore, and customize with application shortcuts and virtual desktops. The feature originally launched with one environment, the Cliff House. A second, Skyloft, was added in the April 2018 Update. [49] [50] [51]
Mixed reality (MR) is a term used to describe the merging of a real-world environment and a computer-generated one. Physical and virtual objects may co-exist in mixed reality environments and interact in real time.
Oculus Rift is a discontinued line of virtual reality headsets developed and manufactured by Oculus VR, a virtual reality company founded by Palmer Luckey that is widely credited with reviving the virtual reality industry. It was the first virtual reality headset to provide a realistic experience at an accessible price, utilizing novel technology to increase quality and reduce cost by orders of magnitude compared to earlier systems. The first headset in the line was the Oculus Rift DK1, released on March 28, 2013. The last was the Oculus Rift S, discontinued in April 2021.
An optical head-mounted display (OHMD) is a wearable device that has the capability of reflecting projected images as well as allowing the user to see through it. In some cases, this may qualify as augmented reality (AR) technology. OHMD technology has existed since 1997 in various forms, but despite a number of attempts from industry, has yet to have had major commercial success.
Reality Labs, originally Oculus VR, is a business and research unit of Meta Platforms that produces virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) hardware and software, including virtual reality headsets such as Quest, and online platforms such as Horizon Worlds. In June 2022, several artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives that were previously a part of Meta AI were transitioned to Reality Labs. This also includes Meta's fundamental AI Research laboratory FAIR which is now part of the Reality Labs - Research (RLR) division.
The Samsung Gear VR is a virtual reality headset developed by Samsung Electronics, in collaboration with Oculus VR, and manufactured by Samsung. The headset was released on August 21, 2015.
Magic Leap, Inc. is an American technology company that released a head-mounted augmented reality display, called Magic Leap One, which superimposes 3D computer-generated imagery over real world objects. It is attempting to construct a light-field chip using silicon photonics.
Microsoft HoloLens is an augmented reality (AR)/mixed reality (MR) headset developed and manufactured by Microsoft. HoloLens runs the Windows Mixed Reality platform under the Windows 10 operating system. Some of the positional tracking technology used in HoloLens can trace its lineage to the Microsoft Kinect, an accessory for Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Xbox One game consoles that was introduced in 2010.
WebXR Device API is a Web application programming interface (API) that describes support for accessing augmented reality and virtual reality devices, such as the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Google Cardboard, HoloLens, Apple Vision Pro, Magic Leap or Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR), in a web browser. The WebXR Device API and related APIs are standards defined by W3C groups, the Immersive Web Community Group and Immersive Web Working Group. While the Community Group works on the proposals in the incubation period, the Working Group defines the final web specifications to be implemented by the browsers.
A virtual reality headset is a head-mounted device that uses 3D near-eye displays and positional tracking to provide a virtual reality environment for the user. VR headsets are widely used with VR video games, but they are also used in other applications, including simulators and trainers. VR headsets typically include a stereoscopic display, stereo sound, and sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes for tracking the pose of the user's head to match the orientation of the virtual camera with the user's eye positions in the real world.
AltspaceVR was a social VR platform that was founded in 2013 by Eric Romo and launched its initial product in May 2015. In 2017 it was acquired by Microsoft and became part of the Mixed Reality division within the Cloud and AI group. Some elements of the platform appear in Microsoft Mesh.
A vision processing unit (VPU) is an emerging class of microprocessor; it is a specific type of AI accelerator, designed to accelerate machine vision tasks.
Daydream is a discontinued virtual reality (VR) platform which was developed by Google, primarily for use with a headset into which a smartphone is inserted. It is available for select phones running the Android mobile operating system that meet the platform's software and hardware requirements. Daydream was announced at the Google I/O developer conference in May 2016, and the first headset, the Daydream View, was released on November 10, 2016. To use the platform, users place their phone into the back of a headset, run Daydream-compatible mobile apps, and view content through the viewer's lenses.
OpenXR is an open-source, royalty-free standard for access to virtual reality and augmented reality platforms and devices. It is developed by a working group managed by the Khronos Group consortium. OpenXR was announced by the Khronos Group on February 27, 2017, during GDC 2017. A provisional version of the standard was released on March 18, 2019, to enable developers and implementers to provide feedback on it. On July 29, 2019, OpenXR 1.0 was released to the public by Khronos Group at SIGGRAPH 2019.
Microsoft HoloLens 2 is a mixed reality head-mounted display developed and manufactured by Microsoft. It is the successor to the original Microsoft HoloLens. The first variant of the device, The HoloLens 2 enterprise edition, debuted on February 24, 2019. This was followed by a developer edition that was announced on May 2, 2019. The HoloLens 2 was subsequently released in limited numbers on November 7, 2019.
Oculus Rift CV1, also known simply as Oculus Rift, is a virtual reality headset developed by Oculus VR, a subsidiary of Meta Platforms, known at the time as Facebook Inc. It was announced in January 2016, and released in March the same year. The device constituted the first commercial release in the Oculus Rift lineup.
Alex Kipman is a Brazilian engineer. He was the lead developer of the Microsoft HoloLens smartglasses and helped develop the Xbox Kinect.
Microsoft Holoportation is a project from Microsoft Research that demonstrates real-time holographic communications with the Microsoft Hololens. Holoportation is described as "a new type of 3D capture technology that allows high-quality 3D models of people to be reconstructed, compressed and transmitted anywhere in the world in real time. This allows users wearing virtual or augmented reality displays to see, hear and interact with remote participants in 3D, almost as if they were present in the same physical space. From an audio-visual perspective, communicating and interacting with remote users edges closer to face-to-face communication." The project was launched by Shahram Izadi and his Microsoft team in 2016. In March 2016, Alex Kipman performed a live demonstration of the technology at the TED conference as part of his talk. In 2020, Microsoft Mesh was launched which offered Holoportation capabilities to "project yourself as your most lifelike, photorealistic self in mixed reality to interact as if you are there in person"
Vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC), also known as accommodation-vergence conflict, is a visual phenomenon that occurs when the brain receives mismatching cues between vergence and accommodation of the eye. This commonly occurs in virtual reality devices, augmented reality devices, 3D movies, and other types of stereoscopic displays and autostereoscopic displays. The effect can be unpleasant and cause eye strain.
The Meta Quest Pro is a mixed reality (MR) headset developed by Reality Labs, a division of Meta Platforms.
The Microsoft HoloLens is not what I think of when I hear the word "hologram." What Microsoft calls holograms, most of us have been calling augmented reality for years—overlaying digital images over our view of the real world.
While these things are quite different from a technical point of view, from a user's point of view, they have a large number of things in common. Wouldn't it be nice to have a short, handy term that covers them all, has a well-matching connotation in the minds of the "person on the street," and distinguishes these things from other things that might be similar technically, but have a very different user experience?
The easiest way to think about it [gaze-based targeting for HoloLens] is as having a raycast from the device and which you can determine what object (real world as represented in the spatial mapping mesh or holographic) that ray intercepts with.
The pair of Microsoft reps in the IPD room also explained to us the three ways we were going to interact with HoloLens: "gaze," wherein you move a cursor by looking around; "gesture," where you air tap to select an item; and "voice," which is...obvious. "We call it 'GGV'," said one of the reps.
Each lens has three layers of glass—in blue, green, and red—full of microthin corrugated grooves that diffract light. [...] A "light engine" above the lenses projects light into the glasses, where it hits the grating and then volleys between the layers of glass millions of times.
We will work to get devices out as quickly as possible. As soon as additional devices are available, more accepted applicants will be invited to purchase.
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