What you need to know
- A new report suggests Microsoft has placed an order for “hundreds of thousands” of micro-OLED displays for a new VR headset.
- The headset will reportedly focus on content consumption such as gaming and movies, not the metaverse.
- Microsoft is also working on bringing full desktop Windows apps to mixed reality via the cloud.
As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in tech, I’ve seen the rise and fall of many promising technologies. The latest development from Microsoft about their next-generation mixed reality headset has piqued my interest, not just because it hints at a potential comeback for their struggling mixed reality division, but also due to its apparent consumer focus and similarities with the Apple Vision Pro.
According to a recent report by The Elec, as shared by RoadToVR, Microsoft has entered into a partnership with Samsung, under which Samsung will deliver approximately hundreds of thousands of innovative micro-OLED displays. These displays are intended for use in a cutting-edge mixed reality headset that Microsoft is now working on.
As per the report, an anonymous industry insider claims that Microsoft’s upcoming mixed reality headset will primarily concentrate on offering experiences related to entertainment such as playing games and watching movies, rather than being part of the metaverse. This suggests that the product could be designed with consumer use in mind, distinguishing it from Microsoft’s existing HoloLens line of headsets which appear to have a different focus.
Following some challenging years for Microsoft’s mixed reality section, recent news emerges. In 2022, there were reports that Microsoft abandoned plans to launch a third-gen HoloLens, and in December 2023, the company declared they would be closing down the Windows Mixed Reality platform.
Considering this context, what could the design of Microsoft’s future mixed-reality headset be? Based on recent patents, it seems they are considering a design akin to the Apple Vision Pro, complete with OLED screens and cameras for augmented reality simulations.
Based on my personal findings, it seems plausible that Microsoft’s upcoming mixed-reality headset might run on Android instead of Windows. The existing HoloLens 2 operates on Windows Core OS, which is limited to running Universal Windows Platform (UWP) applications. Since Microsoft has marked UWP as deprecated, they are seeking a new platform for their future mixed reality endeavors.
Recently, Meta expanded their platform to include third-party VR headsets, and there are whispers that Google might introduce an Android XR platform this year. This could potentially align with Microsoft’s strategy since they no longer develop their own mixed reality platform. However, it’s been suggested that Microsoft plans to integrate Windows applications in some fashion.
Based on reports from individuals privy to the project details, Microsoft is developing a system that enables mixed-reality headsets to operate full Windows desktop applications through cloud computing. Known internally as “Williams Bay,” this system lets users position desktop Windows apps within their mixed reality environment and engage with them as if they were locally installed, much like iPad apps on an imagined Apple Vision Pro device.
With Williams Bay, developers can upgrade desktop Windows applications by incorporating 3D enhancements. These improvements can be viewed concurrently with the apps within a combined reality 3D setting on the headset. It’s yet to be determined whether Williams Bay is a feature exclusively for Microsoft’s mixed reality headset or if it will be accessible across various other headsets and platforms as well.
There’s some ambiguity about when Microsoft’s mixed reality headset might hit the market, given that it could potentially be scrapped before then. According to The Elec, it may not be available until at least next year, though a release date in 2026 appears more plausible.
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2024-08-09 13:39