Windows Mixed Reality

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Windows Mixed Reality
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
TypeMixed reality
Websitewww.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-mixed-reality Edit this on Wikidata

Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) is a discontinued platform by Microsoft which provides augmented reality and virtual reality experiences with compatible head-mounted displays.

WMR supports a number of virtual and augmented reality headsets, including Microsoft HoloLens. In December 2023, Microsoft announced deprecation of WMR with complete removal in a future release of Windows Windows 11 version 24H2 expected to arrive in late-2024.[1]

History

Its flagship device,

Universal Windows Platform app can run.[7]

The platform is also used for

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, which are built to specifications implemented as part of Windows Mixed Reality, but lack support for augmented-reality experiences. In January 2023, Microsoft laid off entire teams which were developing HoloLens, Virtual Reality, and Mixed Reality products.[8] On December 21, 2023, Microsoft announced that WMR has been deprecated and will be removed in Windows 11 version 24H2[9] expected in late-2024.[10][11] On February 8, 2024, Microsoft announced Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26052 which removes WMR components.[12]

Products

Microsoft HoloLens

The premier device for Windows Mixed Reality,[6] Microsoft HoloLens is a smart-glasses headset that is a cordless, self-contained Windows 10 computer running Windows 10 Holographic. It uses various sensors, a high-definition stereoscopic 3D optical head-mounted display, and spatial sound to allow for augmented reality applications, with a natural user interface that the user interacts with through gaze, voice, and hand gestures.[13][14][15] Codenamed "Project Baraboo", HoloLens had been in development for five years before its announcement in 2015, but was conceived earlier as the original pitch made in late 2007 for what would become the Kinect technology platform.[15][16]

Microsoft has targeted HoloLens for release "in the Windows 10 timeframe", with the Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition to begin shipping March 30, 2016, available by application to developers in the United States and Canada for a list price of US$3000.[2][17] Although the Development Edition is considered to be consumer-ready hardware, as of February 2016 Microsoft has not set a time frame for consumer availability of HoloLens, with HoloLens chief inventor Alex Kipman stating that HoloLens will have a consumer release only when the market is ready for it.[18] Companies such as Samsung Electronics and Asus had expressed interest in working with Microsoft to produce their own mixed-reality products based on HoloLens.[19][20] Intel made a direct competitor called Project Alloy with its system called "Merged Reality"; however, it has been cancelled as of September 22, 2017.[21][22][23]

Immersive headsets

In October 2016 during a hardware event, Microsoft announced that multiple OEMs would release

Xbox One X hardware revision, but the company later stated that it was initially focusing on PC platforms first, and that it wanted to focus on wireless VR solutions for consoles.[27][28]

In October 2017, Microsoft officially launched Windows Mixed Reality and a lineup of third-party headsets for use with the Windows 10 "Fall Creators Update" (including a launch lineup of headsets from

motion tracking (eschewing standalone sensors), and contain cameras that can be used to track handheld motion controller accessories, which may be bundled with the headset, or distributed as optional accessories.[30][31]

Immersive headsets are currently compatible with mixed reality software obtained from

Steam VR-compatible software.[32][33] The ability to run desktop software was added on the Windows 10 "May 2019 Update".[34][35]

Microsoft classifies its minimum and recommended system requirements for Windows Mixed Reality as "Windows Mixed Reality PCs" (60 fps) and "Windows Mixed Reality Ultra PCs" (90 fps). The minimum requirements specify an Intel Core i5-7200U or better for laptops, 8 GB of RAM,

Bluetooth 4.0 support for controllers; The Verge noted that users "won't need a high-end gaming PC" to meet these recommendations.[31]

List of Windows Mixed Reality headsets

Name Headset Type Release Date Display Type Resolution (per eye) Field of View Audio Connectivity Initial Retail Price (USD) Platform Compatibility Input
Microsoft HoloLens Augmented Reality March 30, 2016 (Development Edition)

(Development Edition 2) announced May 2, 2019

Proprietary 1268x720[36] 34° Integrated Speakers
IEEE 802.11ac
  • $3,000
  • $5,000 (Commercial Suite)
Windows Mixed Reality Hand Gestures and Clicker[37]
Microsoft HoloLens 2 Augmented Reality Announced February 24, 2019 Proprietary 2560x1440[38] 52°[39] Integrated Speakers Bluetooth LE 5.0, 802.11 2x2 WiFi
  • US$3,500
  • US$125 per month Enterprise
  • US$99 per month Developer
Eye tracking, Spatial Tracking, Hand Tracking
Lenovo Explorer** Virtual Reality October 17, 2017 LCD 1440x1440 110° 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • 1x HDMI 2.0
  • 1x Bluetooth 4.0
$349 ($449 with controllers)
6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD*
Acer AH101 Virtual Reality October 17, 2017 LCD 1440x1440 100°[41] 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • 1x HDMI 2.0
  • 1x Bluetooth 4.0
$399.99 (controllers included)
6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD*
Dell Visor Virtual Reality October 17, 2017 LCD 1440x1440 110° 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • 1x HDMI 2.0
  • 1x Bluetooth 4.0
$350 ($450 with controllers)
6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD*
HP WMR headset Virtual Reality October 17, 2017 LCD 1440x1440 100° 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • 1x HDMI 2.0
  • 1x Bluetooth 4.0
$449 (controllers included)
6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD*
Samsung Odyssey Virtual Reality November 6, 2017 AMOLED 1440x1600 110° integrated AKG headphones, built-in microphone
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • 1X HDMI 2.0
  • 1x Bluetooth 4.0
$500
6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD (has a slightly different controller design to other WMR headsets)*
Asus HC102 Virtual Reality February 20, 2018 LCD 1440x1440 95° 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • 1x HDMI 2.0
  • 1x Bluetooth 4.0
$399 (controllers included)
6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD*
Samsung Odyssey+ Virtual Reality October 22, 2018 Anti-SDE AMOLED Display 1440x1600 110° integrated AKG headphones, built-in microphone
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • 1X HDMI 2.0
  • Integrated Bluetooth 5.0 radio to communicate with controllers[42]
$500
6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD (same controllers as the Samsung Odyssey)*
HP Reverb Virtual Reality May 6, 2019 LCD 2160x2160 114° removable headphones, two integrated microphones, 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 1X USB 3.0
  • 1x DisplayPort 1.3
  • Integrated Bluetooth Radio to communicate with controllers[43]
$599 Consumer Edition

$649 Professional Edition[44]

6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD*
Acer OJO 500 Virtual Reality October 17, 2019 LCD 1440x1440 100° removable headphones, two integrated microphones, 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • 1x HDMI 2.0
$399.99 (controllers included)
6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD*
HP Reverb G2 Virtual Reality October 31, 2020 LCD 2160x2160 114° Valve 'off-ear' headphones,[45] two integrated microphones
  • 1x DisplayPort 1.3
  • 1x USB 3.0 Type-C
$600 (controllers included)
6DoF dual controllers tracked by HMD (new controller design.*)

* Note: Windows Mixed Reality headsets are also compatible with Xbox One Controllers.[46]

** The Lenovo Explorer is also sold in some regions as the Medion Erazer X1000 MR Glasses.

Mixed Reality Portal

Mixed Reality Portal is a

front-end for Windows Mixed Reality. It features a 3D environment which users can explore, and customize with application shortcuts and virtual desktops. The feature originally launched with one environment, the Cliff House. A second, Skyloft, was added in the April 2018 Update.[47][48][49]

See also

Notes

References

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  2. ^ a b Shaban, Hamza (2014-09-02). "Microsoft announces Windows Holographic with HoloLens headset". The Verge. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
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  4. ^ Fenlon, Wes (21 January 2015). "Microsoft HoloLens hands on: the promise and disappointment of AR". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2 May 2015. The Microsoft HoloLens is not what I think of when I hear the word "hologram." What Microsoft calls holograms, most of us have been calling augmented reality for years—overlaying digital images over our view of the real world.
  5. ^ Kreylos, Oliver (22 January 2015). "What is holographic, and what isn't?". Doc-Ok.org. Retrieved 20 September 2015. While these things are quite different from a technical point of view, from a user's point of view, they have a large number of things in common. Wouldn't it be nice to have a short, handy term that covers them all, has a well-matching connotation in the minds of the "person on the street," and distinguishes these things from other things that might be similar technically, but have a very different user experience?
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External links