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Microsoft's HoloLens Is "Something Different" Than Oculus or Morpheus

Company says existing VR technologies are "truly exciting," but HoloLens is different.

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Microsoft HoloLens Trailer
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Existing virtual reality technology such as Oculus Rift or Project Morpheus are "truly exciting," but they aren't direct competitors to Microsoft's new HoloLens technology, according to a company representative.

No Caption Provided

Asked if Microsoft viewed Rift and Morpheus as competitors to HoloLens, a Microsoft spokesperson said: "Today's efforts in VR and AR are truly exciting. What we are talking about is something different."

The Microsoft rep went on to explain what the company thinks will set HoloLens apart from other virtual reality and augmented reality technologies.

"Holographic experiences on Windows are about delivering a mixed reality of both your digital world and your real world," the spokesperson said. "We are integrating holograms into the world around you--transforming the ways you create, connect, and explore. We hope holographic experiences on Windows 10 will help drive continued innovation in this category."

These comments tally with those from HoloLens designer Alex Kipman, who suggested yesterday during the Windows 10 event that Microsoft wasn't intending to compete directly with established VR companies such as Oculus.

"Oculus, Magic Leap, Glass developers and everyone else, we humbly invite you--come create holograms with us," Kipman said.

For more on HoloLens, check out the video above and the image gallery below. And check back later for GameSpot's impressions of the HoloLens technology.

Gallery
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wookiegr

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wookiegr

They showed really cool potential when they first announced the original Kinect and we ended up with gimmicky garbage. I think this is cool but I seriously doubt it will be used and implemented properly for gamers.

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hellgast0

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hellgast0

<< LINK REMOVED >> That's because it was advertised as a game product and it wasn't.

The Kinect is still good at what it does, it's great tech, it's just not being used properly (by which I mean outside gaming, because gamers will bitch about anything if it's trying to be different)

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BusterFriendly

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BusterFriendly

<< LINK REMOVED >> Kinect is awesome. Wouldn't want a system without it now.

2 • 
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joeyl853

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joeyl853

Same here. I want nothing to do with kinect as far as gaming but for ui purposes its tough to live without once you get spoiled by snapping rewind ffwd change channel volume pretty much everything. I have a hard time playing 360/ps4. Cuz no kinect

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wookiegr

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wookiegr

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> You're in the minority on that one bub.

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greaseman1985

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greaseman1985

This honestly looks really cool, I'm really looking forward to trying this with a PC and see what it can do.

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Kinguard73

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Kinguard73

Yeha the difference? One is reality and this new thing is still a fantasy. Until I see normal people wearing it and saying it can do these things featured it's all vaporware to raise Microsoft stocks. Even if it is real it be too expensive except for techs and medical staff to use. It has no real gaming application likely for that price.

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kujel

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kujel

At least they aren't trying to say this is a gaming device first like was done with the oculus and morpheus.

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Flyincloud1116

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Flyincloud1116

<< LINK REMOVED >> Yeah, that makes it better.

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freedom01

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freedom01  Moderator

Hololens looks nice, though I dont see myself using it for gaming. The only question would be....how much is it going to cost

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hellgast0

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hellgast0

<< LINK REMOVED >> Good thing it's not advertised for gaming

2 • 
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TristanPR77

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TristanPR77

I don't see it as something practical for gaming too.

The price is not the only question. How about... How do you type when using it? What are the specifications or requirements when using it in a room? Do I need certain space? Can any room be Ok?

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spartanx169x

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spartanx169x

Military applications will be using this as well. For example, A solider get injured, He needs an immediate procedure or he will die and there are no other options. With the right cam and this tech , it could be done on the spot.

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Deadlysyns87

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Deadlysyns87

<< LINK REMOVED >> wait on the battlefield i doubt it will work from the safety of a base.

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spartanx169x

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spartanx169x

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Well it would have to broadcast like these bigazz satellite phones. I just think there is a lot of potential, thats all.

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Mathrym

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Mathrym

So this is the new thing that people will HATE from MS like everyone did with Kinect. I guess they just never learn. They are probably going to force you to buy this thing on the NEXT Xbox console like they did with Kinect.


No matter what they do i don't see this ever being big. Look at how badly they tried to innovate with the Kinect, as of now on Kinect 2, the controls are still unresponsive, there is still a very huge delay in movement tracking vs what appears on tv. Seriously i use GAMING MODE to reduce the input lag and all they do with Kinect is replicate that fealing tenfold o.O.


I expect this to be another of their silly inventions that will never be fully realised and achieved as what they intend it to be. Just like the Kinect, they said allot about how it would do soooo many things for gaming.


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greaseman1985

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greaseman1985

<< LINK REMOVED >> Actually unlike Kinect, this has gotten quite a lot of positive feedback. This is completely different.

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WillamWallace

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WillamWallace

Why are you comparing Kinect to Holo?

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Deadlysyns87

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Deadlysyns87

<< LINK REMOVED >> Because it might fail as hard as Kinect did.

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WillamWallace

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WillamWallace

Or is it because everyone for some reason thinks this is a gaming product first, just like the Kinect, it May not succeed in gaming, but it's other functions will.

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nissanmaxima

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nissanmaxima

I'm very interested in this. However, only if it can be used in conjunction with the Xbox One in some way. You never know, since they pushing the whole Windows 10 & Xbox One thing.

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hellgast0

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hellgast0

<< LINK REMOVED >> Yeah, if it runs Win10, it will probably work as a screen, cool idea!

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DaVillain

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DaVillain  Moderator  Online

I never really consider HoloLens vs VR to begin with. HoloLens looks like something you can use it for work and I intended to try this at work. VR is mainly for entertainment.

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spartanx169x

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spartanx169x

<< LINK REMOVED >> They could make a shooter game with this tech in real physical arenas. Like Laser tag arenas or Paintball.

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deactivated-5c0b07b32bf03

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deactivated-5c0b07b32bf03

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Agree here. VR is for gaming in my opinion. This holographic stuff is not geared toward immersion, and is therefore more applicable to workplace functions. Give me games, not charts.

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DaVillain

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DaVillain  Moderator  Online

But that's the thing though, I chart at work and having this might be useful in my opinion. If it works for games, then that's a bonus for me.

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deactivated-5c0b07b32bf03

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deactivated-5c0b07b32bf03

<< LINK REMOVED >> but how will it work for games? i mean, if i'm seeing my living room table and everything else around it, that is not helping the mood i'm trying to get in, or the world, if you will, i'm trying to get into. i think this technology is neat, but i just don't think it is the best thing for videogames.

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greaseman1985

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greaseman1985

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> It turns your room into something else, like the Minecraft demo showed, "blowing up" a wall revealed something else, or it turns a coffee table into a lake.

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DaVillain

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DaVillain  Moderator  Online

For FPS, sure why not. Halo 5 could be an example for this type of tech.

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NothingForMoney

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NothingForMoney

Too good to be true

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ronan32

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ronan32

<< LINK REMOVED >> There is nothing good about this. This is designed to control your reality. don't visualize or think for yourself. let microsoft do it for you.

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