Microsoft HoloLens full specifications detailed

Microsoft's HoloLens is a augmented reality headset that lets you interact with high-definition holograms within an environment such as living room and office space. It is powered by Windows Holographic software, but little is known of the hardware inside.

Now, the full hardware specification of the HoloLens have been revealed online courtesy of Windows Central. The publication ran system info tool AIDA64 to find out what is inside the $3000 headset, and here is the complete list.

OS: Microsoft Windows 10.0.11802.1033 (32-bit)
CPU: Intel Atom x5-Z8100 1.04 GHz; Intel Airmont (14nm); 4 Logical Processors; 64-bit capable
GPU/HPU: HoloLens Graphics
GPU Vendor ID: 8086h (Intel)
Dedicated Video Memory: 114MB
Shared System Memory: 980MB
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 64GB (54.09 GB available)
App Memory Usage Limit: 900MB
Battery: 16.5Wh
Photo camera: 2.4-megapixel (2048x1152 pixels)
Video camera: 1.1-megapixel (1408x792 pixels) at 30fps
Video Speed: 30fps

Notably, the HoloLens is running on Intel x5-Z8100 processor based on Airmont architecture and runs at 1.04GHz, which is used by low-cost tablets and notebooks. The CPU is 64-bit capable, while the operating system on-board is 32-bit. The report also mentions that the 16.5Wh battery can keep the device running for 2 hours.

While the hardware inside is of a low-end laptop except for the battery, most of the $3000 cost is absorbed by the large number of sensors, holographic lenses and light engines on-board which includes- 

Custom-built Microsoft Holographic Processing Unit (HPU 1.0)
See-through holographic lenses (waveguides)
2 HD 16:9 light engines
1 IMU
4 environment understanding cameras
1 depth camera
1 2MP photo / HD video camera
Mixed reality capture
4 microphones
1 ambient light sensor

The Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition is currently available for purchase for $3000. 

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Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition can be pre-ordered for $3000, ships March 30

Microsoft back in October, last year announced that the Hololens Developing Kit will be available in Q1 2016 for $3000 (Rs. 2 lakhs), and as promised the Redmond giant has started taking orders for the HoloLens Development editions for developers.

Developers who have already applied and are accepted for the program will start receiving invitations to purchase HoloLens. The augmented reality headset will begin shipping on March 30 to the U.S and Canada. Other interested, developers can apply at hololens.com/developmentedition.

Microsoft also revealed new information about the hardware as well as details about its in-built apps and games. The Development Kit comes bundled with a Bluetooth 4.1 Clicker to interact with the holograms. This accessory enable users to manipulate object and trigger commands. Also included in the box are replacement noise pieces.

Microsoft says that the HoloLens requires you to have a PC running Windows 10 and Visual Studio.

Hardware-wise, the HoloLens Development kit includes Intel 32-bit processor w/ custom-built Microsoft Holographic Processing Unit (HPU), 2GB RAM, 64GB storage, 2-megapixel camera (720p), 4 x microphones, WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1.

It also houses a range of sensor that include an ambient sensor, 4 x environment understanding camera and an inertial measurement unit. The HoloLens dosen't weigh more than 579g and promises two to three hours of battery life when in use, and two weeks on standby on a single charge.

Microsoft HoloLens also comes with an assortment of games and apps. There are a total a seven of them, three of which are games - Fragments, Young Coker and RoboRaid, (more details here) and the rest four apps - HolStudio (allows you to make use of hand gestures, voice commands to create 3D objects), Skype (lets you communicate with others as if both the parties were in the same room), HoloTour (offers a 360-degree panoramic view of various places) and Actiongram (available later this year). The apps and games are aimed at enhancing the HoloLens experience and getting you started with the augmented reality world.

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Microsoft Hololens Developer Kit coming in Q1 2016 for $3,000

Microsoft at its Windows 10 Devices event  announced that the HoloLens Developer Kit will be available in the first quarter of 2016 fot $3,000. Developers can now apply online to buy a unit of HoloLens starting today from Microsoft's website. Initially it will be sold on an invite-only basis. 

In the event Microsoft showed off a mixed reality game on HoloLens, called Project X-Ray, which adapts to any room the player. The game turns every room of your home into a personalized game level and pits you against a swarm of robots, which pop up out of the walls in the room when you are in.

The HoloLens is a standalone device that includes a custom "holographic processing unit". It is a wearable headset with lens that combines virtual reality, augmented reality and video. Microsoft claims it to be the world’s first untethered holographic computer that does not need any wires, phones or connection to a PC.

Microsoft Reveals Windows Holographic, Its Augmented Reality UI For The World

At Windows 10 Event, Microsoft unveiled Windows Holographic along with a headgear, HoloLens that overlays hologram on the real world. The HoloLens capabilities is built into the Windows 10 OS and lets wearers use their hands to interact with virtual objects. The HoloLens is powered by Microsoft's Windows Holographic software and is touted as the next generation of computing.

It's three technologies working togther - Windows Holographic, Windows HoloLens and HoloStudio application.

Windows Holographic will enable 3D imaging in all future Windows 10 builds. It creates three-dimensional images in the real world, then lets people wearing the headgear reach out and manipulate virtual objects.

HoloLens is a headset for viewing and interacting with 3D images and HoloStudio app will let you create your own holograms. It is equipped with see-thru, high definition lenses, patial sound, and advanced sensors. The headgear will be completely wireless, with its own CPU and GPU amd to make up most of the holographic experience, it will have a third processor called HPU (Holographic Processing Unit). This technology is developed by Microsoft along with NASA space agency.

HoloStudio application will let you create your own holograms using point swipe and gesture movements. At the press event Microsoft demonstrated creating a drone in 3D space, which they printed out in 3D in few hours after event began.

Microsoft is betting on holographic applications and everything from Skype to Minecraft will be in play.

The introduction of Hologographic software into Windows 10 pushes Windows way ahead of MAC OS X and Chrome OS, changing how people use computers. It is expected to arrive "somewhere along the windows 10 timeline"  

Source : pcworld