Hololens 2 Announced by Microsoft

Yesterday the Hololens 2 was announced by Microsoft to much fanfare. Four years ago, Microsoft put wearable Augmented Reality technology on the map when it launched the original Hololens. We adopted the Hololens three years and have been leveraging the technology as the premiere method in delivering interactive applications for our customers. So far, the preliminary response to the headset is very positive, with some exciting and major upgrades that all of us have been waiting for. We couldn’t be more excited!

With the Microsoft Hololens being our go-to mixed reality/AR headset for development of interactive experiences for our customers, we wanted to summarize what to expect in the new headset. Cinema Suite has applied for our pre-order of the Hololens 2, and we will be providing a hand’s, on review as well as unboxing video when it arrives. Let’s get to the new features!

Hololens 2 Field of View and Resolution Increase

With many of the projects we have created for our customer base, the main concern was a narrow field of view compared to other VR devices, as well as limited resolution when you are looking at a hologram from farther away. This has been addressed with the Hololens 2 in a big way. Microsoft is reporting double the size field of view. Also, resolution has been increased to 47 pixel per degree for eacheye. This is fine enough detail to easily read 8 point website font. This upgrade will provide further immersion and interaction with your product or process and design, and hands down the most exciting upgrade to the device.

Ergonomics

Although relatively comfortable, the current Hololens can start to become a bit uncomfortable after prolonged use. This has been addressed in Hololens 2. The headset has been lightened, and weight has been much more evenly distributed from front to back. Also, the front of the Hololens 2 now easily flips upward so that the headset doesn’t need to be taken off when continuing physical work with your hands.

Gesture System

The current Hololens has a very responsive gesture system that easily allows for object selection, operation, moving, rotating, panning, etc. Everything you would expect in a gesture system. However, with Hololens 2, Microsoft has taken things much further. Thanks to the latest version of Kinect which is integrated into the headset, Kinect Azure, the Hololens 2 now has full, real-time hand recognition. The device now consistently tracks all 10 of your fingers during operation, allowing for much more advanced gesture control. Some examples include grabbing, twisting, pulling, using palms for interaction with larger interfaces, and so forth. This opens up an entire new ability for us to provide training applications on the device for our customers, providing more in-depth learning and interaction at a level we’ve never seen before.

Eye Tracking

This may be one of the more interesting features of the Hololens 2 and will have better information when we get a chance to test this internally. With Hololens 2, you can use your eyes as part of the gesture system. Want to scroll up and down through an application window, simply look up and down to scroll with your eyes. Retinal recognition also allows for other functionality, such as logging into applications without requiring a login or password.

Additional Features

Of course, the above features are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what is packed into the Hololens 2.

• Still 100% untethered. The Hololens 2 is its own computer. Go anywhere, do anything. Perfect for our customers to use the device across large shop floors and facilities.
• Processor upgraded from Intel to Snapdragon 850. Better performance equals higher fidelity graphics and import of your CAD data for interaction.
• Record screenshots/photos at 8K resolution, and video at 1080p, 30FPS. Perfect for recording your Mixed Reality experiences, and streaming for audiences, meetings, etc.
• USB C for charging, as well as 802.11ac wifi and Bluetooth 5.0. Fantastic connectivity for collecting data from the cloud for IoT or AI, as well as connecting external devices for additional interaction and control
• Windows Core OS, which will become the standard for Windows across all platforms

Here at Cinema Suite, we constantly look at utilizing the best technology for the right interactive experience for our customers. We are committed to using the Hololens 2 to further enhance our ability to solve our customers biggest problems through interactive technology using their 3D CAD data. Interested in talking more about how we can help? Contact us!