HoloLens is one of Microsoft’s most innovative projects and the company is still committed to improving it. The Microsoft HoloLens 2 will be announced by end of this year and the second-generation of the company’s most innovative project would become widely available next year.
Microsoft is embracing a different strategy with the HoloLens 2 and it’s all because the software giant is ahead of its competitor. Codenamed Sydney, the HoloLens 2 with the substantial improvements that would keep Microsoft ahead of its rivals in the competition is launching soon. So here’s everything we know about the company’s long rumoured HoloLens 2.
HoloLens 2 will be powered by ARM processor and Windows Core OS
According to a new report, Microsoft HoloLens 2 will be powered by an ARM processor as Intel has stopped developing the Atom processor that powers the first generation of HoloLens project. The ARM processor would contribute to the mobility of the next HoloLens and the device will also offer longer battery life.
Microsoft’s forthcoming Windows Core OS will power the HoloLens 2. The version of Windows Core OS that will power the next generation HoloLens is codenamed Oasis. The HoloLens experience will be much better with Windows Core OS as the operating system has an adaptive shell that will make sure all UWP apps could be installed on any Windows 10 device.
Dedicated custom AI chip
Microsoft recently teased that the second iteration of the HoloLens will sport a dedicated AI coprocessor alongside its holographic processing unit (HPU). The dedicated custom AI chip improves the HoloLens ability to tackle intensive tasks such as image and voice recognition
“The AI coprocessor is designed to work in the next version of HoloLens, running continuously, off the HoloLens battery. This is just one example of the new capabilities we are developing for HoloLens, and is the kind of thing you can do when you have the willingness and capacity to invest for the long term, as Microsoft has done throughout its history. And this is the kind of thinking you need if you’re going to develop mixed reality devices that are themselves intelligent. Mixed reality and artificial intelligence represent the future of computing, and we’re excited to be advancing this frontier,” Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s AI Research Group, Harry Shum said in a blog post.
Microsoft HoloLens 2 release date
There’s no word on when Microsoft HoloLens successor might land, but the reliable source has revealed that the new generation device will be announced this fall at the soonest. Microsoft is, however, planning to sell the HoloLens 2 in 2019.
Microsoft’s decision to hold the next generation HoloLens makes sense. Microsoft sees no reason in launching a new HoloLens with small improvements. In order to maintain its innovation in the mixed reality world, Microsoft is developing the new device with utmost care and new features.
We’re expecting the second-generation HoloLens to be as innovative as the first model. However, the plans could change overnight because the device is work in progress.