Microsoft HoloLens Developer Pre-Orders Begin Tomorrow

 

Microsofts entrant into the VR field, the HoloLens, will begin taking developer pre-orders tomorrow for a healthy price tag of $3000USD.

 

Ouch.

 

First, let’s temper some expectations… this is very much a developer release, the actual launch of the HoloLens is a long ways out.  This release is akin to the original DK release for the Oculus Rift a couple years back.  This was the most recent comment about a HoloLens commercial release date:

“When I feel the world is ready, then we will allow normal people to buy it,” Kipman said Thursday, speaking to reporters at the TED conference in Vancouver. “It could be as soon as we say ‘yes,’ and it could be as long as a ‘very long time.’”

Hopefully the consumer hardware will be a great deal cheaper.  With news of the pre-order however, we did get some insight into the specs behind the HoloLens.  Taken from VentureBeat:

Here are the specifications for the HoloLens Development Edition headset:

  • Optics: See-through lenses (waveguides), 2 HD, 16:9 light engines, automatic pupillary distance calibration, 2.3 million total light points in holographic resolution, more than 2,500 radiants (light points per radian) in holographic density
  • Sensors: 1 inertial measurement unit (IMU), 4 environment understanding cameras, 1 depth camera, one 2-megapixel photo and HD video camera, mixed reality capture, 4 microphones, 1 ambient light sensor
  • Human understanding: Spatial sound, gaze tracking, gesture input, voice support
  • Processors: Intel 32-bit architecture and custom-built Microsoft Holographic Processing Unit (HPU) 1.0
  • Battery life: 2-3 hours of active use, up to 2 weeks of standby time; works when charging
  • Memory: 2GB RAM
  • Storage: 64GB flash
  • Connectivity: Micro-USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.1 low energy
  • Wi-Fi: 802.11ac
  • Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack, built-in speakers, volume up/down
  • Other components: Power button, brightness up/down, battery status LEDs
  • Weight: 579 grams (1.27 lbs)

The HoloLens Development Edition kits come with a headset, an overhead strap, a clicker, a charging cable, a microfiber cloth, nose pads, and a carrying case.

 

Not just anyone can order a HoloLens however, you need to apply and be accepted into the program.

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