{"id":7863,"date":"2019-02-24T19:05:03","date_gmt":"2019-02-24T19:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.styledeals.co.uk\/blog\/microsoft-hololens-2-augmented-reality-headset-unveiled\/"},"modified":"2019-02-24T19:05:03","modified_gmt":"2019-02-24T19:05:03","slug":"microsoft-hololens-2-augmented-reality-headset-unveiled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.styledeals.co.uk\/blog\/microsoft-hololens-2-augmented-reality-headset-unveiled\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft HoloLens 2 augmented reality headset unveiled"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Microsoft believes HoloLens 2 offers new ways for surgeons to plan operations
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Microsoft has a new version of its augmented reality headset, which now detects where its users are looking and tracks the movements of their hands.<\/p>\n

It said that HoloLens 2 wearers<\/a> would find it easier to touch and otherwise interact with graphics superimposed over their real-world views.<\/p>\n

Other improvements include filling more of a user’s view and automatically recognising who they are.<\/p>\n

The firm is pitching the kit as being ready for use in business environments.<\/p>\n

Many experts believe mixing together graphics and real-world views has greater potential than virtual reality, which removes the user from their immediate environment.<\/p>\n

But apart from the smartphone game Pokemon Go, augmented reality has yet to find mainstream appeal.<\/p>\n

The previous version of HoloLens was mainly targeted at developers. A rival AR headset-maker – Magic Leap – similarly markets its gear to software developers and other early adopters.<\/p>\n

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\n HoloLens 2 can now track user’s eye movements to help it detect where they are looking
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“Immersion, or persuading the wearer that they really are part of the scene they see in front of them, is important,” commented Paul Miller from Forrester.<\/p>\n

“The relatively narrow field-of-view for the first generation HoloLens made it difficult for wearers to suspend disbelief and accept that they were immersed in the environment before their eyes. <\/p>\n

“With HoloLens 2, Microsoft has worked hard to improve both the resolution of the display and its field-of-view, resulting in a more immersive and believable experience.”<\/p>\n

The event was timed for the eve of the Mobile World Congress trade show.<\/p>\n

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\n HoloLens 2 can now track the position of a user’s hands and fingers making it easier for them to manipulate virtual objects
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But it also followed the publication of a protest letter backed by dozens of its employees who oppose a deal to provide HoloLens technology to the US military.<\/p>\n

“We did not sign up to develop weapons, and we demand a say in how our work is used,” it said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Comfier tech<\/h2>\n

Microsoft said that HoloLens 2 works in a “more human way” than the first version thanks to the changes it has made.<\/p>\n

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\n HoloLens 2 has had a price cut but is not being marketed to individuals
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These include making the the field-of-view more than double that of its predecessor.<\/p>\n

Many users had expressed disappointment at how small a window graphics had been contained to, meaning that their experience had fallen short of what Microsoft’s promotional videos<\/a> had suggested.<\/p>\n

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\n The headset’s advanced tracking technologies let users push and press virtual controls
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The firm said it had also improved the display’s resolution, which it described as being the equivalent of moving from a 720p high-definition image to a 2K one for each eye.<\/p>\n

This means that the shift to a larger view should not mean it has become more fuzzy.<\/p>\n

Microsoft has also introduced iris recognition, allowing the machine to identify its wearer and automatically log them into their account.<\/p>\n

The company also acknowledged that some users of the original version had found it uncomfortable to wear for lengthy periods. It said a revamped fitting system should mean the kit now felt as if it was “floating” on workers’ heads.<\/p>\n

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\n Skip Twitter post by @jgownder<\/a><\/p>\n
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I have used the device (I am now free to say!) and the field of view for the new #HoloLens2<\/a> feels vastly larger and the display is noticeably sharper. It’s also *far* more comfortable to wear, and the gesture controls are light years ahead of v1. Super impressive UX improvements. https:\/\/t.co\/Vd7oIhYHNG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 J. P. Gownder (@jgownder) February 24, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n

End of Twitter post by @jgownder<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Companies will also have the option of having the device custom-fitted to their own gear, such as hard hats used on construction sites.<\/p>\n

On-stage demonstrations of the headset included:<\/p>\n