Microsoft HoloLens Specs and Features Detailed

The hardware specifications for Microsoft's HoloLens have been revealed, along with several technologies that the advanced augmented reality headset will feature. In-depth details on the internals of the device were posted on Microsoft's website, and you can see it all below.

Processors

• Intel 32 bit architecture

• Custom-built Microsoft Holographic Processing Unit (HPU 1.0)

Power

• Battery life: 2-3 hours of active use
  • Up to 2 weeks of standby time
  • Fully functional when charging
• Passively cooled (no fans)

Memory

• 64GB Flash
• 2GB RAM (2GB CPU and 1GB HPU)

OS and Apps

• Windows 10
• Windows Store

Weight

• 579g

Optics

• See-through holographic lenses (waveguides)
• 2 HD 16:9 light engines
• Automatic pupillary distance calibration
• Holographic Resolution: 2.3M total light points
• Holographic Density: >2.5k radiants (light points per radian)

Sensors

• 1 IMU
• 4 environment understanding cameras
• 1 depth camera
• 1 2MP photo / HD video camera
• Mixed reality capture
• 4 microphones
• 1 ambient light sensor

Human Understanding

• Spatial sound
• Gaze tracking
• Gesture input
• Voice support

Input / Output / Connectivity

• Built-in Speakers
• Audio 3.5mm jack
• Volume up/down
• Brightness up/down
• Power button
• Battery status LEDs
• Wi-Fi 802.11ac
• Micro-USB 2.0

According to a separate post on the official Windows Blog, the development edition of Microsoft's augmented reality headset is "fully untethered and self-contained," which means a PC or console is not required to use it. Additionally, the headset has Windows 10 built into it and can access the application store.

HoloLens is powered by a custom-built Holographic Processing Unit (HPU) and Intel 32-bit architecture. The processing unit is made of custom silicon that "allows HoloLens to understand gestures and gaze while mapping the world around you, all in real time."

The semi-transparent holographic lenses use a projection system to "generate multi-dimensional full-color holograms" at low latency to allow virtual objects to be drawn in the real world.

"The key to a great holographic experience is holograms that are light point rich, i.e., they have a high holographic density and are pinned, or anchored, to the world around you," Microsoft explains. "To achieve this, HoloLens has been designed for optimal holographic density of 2.5K radiants. The more radiants and light points there are, the brighter and richer the holograms become."

Built-in cameras on the device allow the user to record "mixed reality captures (MRC). These are "HD pictures and videos of the holograms in the world around you" that can be shared with other users, outside of the HoloLens interface. Bluetooth 4.1 support, meanwhile, allows a clicker to also be used with it.

Gestures and voice commands can be created and set to communicate with applications, while navigation can be achieved through gaze.

"HoloLens understands your gestures, gaze, and voice, enabling you to interact in the most natural way possible. With spatial sound, HoloLens allows you to hear holograms from anywhere in the room, even if they are behind you."

Microsoft has opened pre-orders for the HoloLens development kit, which is priced at $3,000. Additionally, a game featuring a young version of Rare's Conker character has been revealed with a trailer. See it all here.