Microsoft on Monday (Feb 29th) made several announcements around HoloLens - namely they have begun accepting development edition applications and allowing the first wave of developers to purchase the device for US$ 3,000. Devices will begin shipping March 30th.
Microsoft also announced a suite of additional apps and games that will be available from the Windows Store when the first developers receive their devices. In addition, Microsoft has released a suite of developer resources, such as guide book documentation, tutorials, and an emulator. The main purpose of the Microsoft-developed apps and games is of course to inspire the first wave of developers, and to show what the HoloLens is capable of. Microsoft is whipping up tons of developer interest. As we predicted, Microsoft’s Build 2016 conference (March 31-April 1) sold out in record time, in no small part due to interest in HoloLens. While we will definitely see many more hand-picked and co-developed HoloLens apps, don’t expect to see much in the way of organically grown apps given the timing of initial shipments.
Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition:
It will likely be a year or more before the HoloLens moves beyond development edition, and any hint of consumer price point remains a mystery. While gaming is good eye candy to grab attention, mixed reality will in our view fit squarely into the realm of ENTERPRISE and INDUSTRIAL use for the next few years, given the limited FOV (field of view) and a far less immersive/rich experience relative to the experiences offered by Oculus, Vive, and upcoming PlayStation VR products. Where HoloLens will excel will be in overlaying virtual onto fixed reality within the burgeoning Windows 10 development framework.
HoloLens already has a number of commercial/enterprise partners, including Volvo Cars, Autodesk Fusion 360, Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic, Trimble, and NASA. For NASA, the device is actually already in use on the International Space Station (ISS) for Project Sidekick.