Nearly four years after showing off its first-ever HoloLens, Microsoft has today unveiled the second-generation HoloLens at MWC 2019. The HoloLens 2, as it has been named, brings in tow a number of design changes, better immersion, and cloud support among other upgrades.
The Microsoft HoloLens 2 will be up for pre-order starting today at $3,500, which is down from the $5000 price tag of the original HoloLens. This gives you a standalone Enterprise Edition bundle of the HoloLens 2, and you would also be able to lease it for just $125 a month. It is expected to start shipping later in 2019.
During the presentation, Microsoft revealed that it had gathering feedback from original HoloLens users and it has resulted in three main changes in its next iteration. Users wanted less bulk and more comfort, enhanced immersion, and more value.
Comfort is Key
A quick look at the HoloLens 2 will tell you it has definitely shed a lot of its bulk as compared to the original HoloLens and is now composed from carbon fiber to further reduce the weight. Microsoft has also made the center of gravity more balanced on this iteration.
The HoloLens 2 is touted to be 3 times more comfortable than its predecessor in Microsoft’s tests, thanks to the revamped design and new dial-in mechanism which lets you easily wear the headset. When you want to remove it, just flip up the visor and you’re good to go.
- Immersive Experiences
One of the main improvements here is twice the field of view, while still being able to maintain a holographic density of 47 pixels per degree of sight and lower power usage. It’s a big deal that Microsoft was able to improve the FOV by two times.
Immersive Experiences
You now also have eye-tracking sensors included in HoloLens 2 for instant login via iris recognition, similar to Windows Hello, and an improved interactions with holograms — mostly instinctively.
Office 365 & Azure Support
Build an Open Ecosystem
Towards the end of the presentation, Microsoft emphasized the importance of an open ecosystem (which here being mixed reality) as opposed to walled gardens and laid out three core principles for the same:
- Open Web Browsing Model: Microsoft Edge would be the default browser here, but anyone is welcome to build an alternative. Mozilla will bring its popular Firefox browser to HoloLens 2.
