Almost a year after Microsoft first unveiled its HoloLens augmented reality wearable technology, the Redmond-based technology company announced that the technology is now available for the general public to try out in one of its retail locations.
CIO Today reports that Microsoft has opened the "HoloLens Experience Showcase" in its flagship retail location in New York, a venue that will let possible customers and even developers to try out the HoloLens technology, as well as the products developed for it so far.
One of the products available for demonstration is HoloStudio, which uses a combination of hand gestures and voice commands to move and recolor objects in a scene. Another one is the augmented reality video game Project X-Ray which utilizes HoloLens' room scanning feature as part of the game itself.
In addition to these current endeavors, International Business Times also states that Microsoft has already started working with Autodesk and NASA to make HoloLens an important communication tool in different industries.
Microsoft hopes that the opening of the HoloLens Experience Showcase will entice not only potential consumers but also developers to build apps and software around the product. The company has in fact invited enthusiasts and developers to come up with HoloLens app ideas and submit them on or before Jan. 11, 2016. From the submissions, the three best ideas will be put to vote on Twitter, with the winning idea set to be implemented by Microsoft as an application for the device.
Meanwhile, the HoloLens device itself will begin shipping in the first quarter of 2016 according to RoadtoVR. However, the HoloLens being shipped by that time is only for developers and commercial buyers in North America. It will also not come cheap as it is tagged with a US$3000 price tag.
Availability and price tag aside, the future of holographic technology and augmented reality is here. And Microsoft is making a huge bet on its future.
