Hololens Dev Kits Ship in Early 2016 for $3000 a Pop

Earlier this year, there were rumors that HoloLens used a custom Intel Cherry Trail processor – whether this is still true with the upcoming developer kits isn’t something Redmond is willing to tell the public just yet.

During the Windows 10 Devices event, Microsoft showcased “Project X-Ray”, a first-person shooter game available on the HoloLens platform.

The holographic lens device allows users to see 3D renderings of computer-generated images. As the page notes: “Microsoft HoloLens is created to adjust to fit a wide range of adult head sizes and shapes without putting any undue pressure on your ears or nose, while also fitting comfortably over the majority of eyeglass frames”. Since then, the company has put a ton of effort into showing off interesting demos for the device, including ones based around Halo and Minecraft at E3.

These won’t simply be available for any aspiring developer, however, as prospective customers will have to apply for them online.

HoloLens is Microsoft’s entry as a wide array of companies bet that the future of computing will include augmented or virtual reality technology.

The shipping is expected to start in the first quarter of next year (2016). “HoloLens is fully untethered: No wires, no tethers, no phones”, Myerson pointed out, referring to the supplementary devices that virtual reality kits need.

Today, Microsoft announced quite a few new products and applications including the likes of Project X-ray which shows a much more interactive experience for gaming. It is a mixed reality gaming experience in which the player grabs and deploys a gantlet to defend a room from a robot invasion. “Developers will dictate its ultimate success and the long-term relevance of Windows, so it’s crucial Microsoft prioritizes developers as part of a phased launch”. At their annual product keynote they demoed the headset live with a title which will “make every room in your house a video game level”.