With the advent of compact augmented reality glasses such as the ODG R9 above, the Microsoft HoloLens, released in October 2015, is starting to show its age.
We have long been awaiting the next generation of the device, which is expected to address issues such as bulk and field of view.
Now Thurrott.com is claiming that, according to sources, Microsoft is cancelling the second generation of their headset and jumping directly to the third generation.
According to their sources this will result in a release of a device which is not only an incremental improvement, but an actual generation leap and help keep Microsoft ahead of the competition.
Unfortunately this would however reportedly push back the next release of the device to 2019, which sounds to me like rather bad news – while Microsoft is ahead they are not quite that far ahead.
In a statement on the report Microsoft ominously said:
“Mixed reality is the future of computing, and Microsoft HoloLens is the future and present of mixed reality. Our commitment requires no roadmap”
If there is one saving grace it is that Microsoft’s Windows Holographics platform is not dependent on the HoloLens, and that OEMs are expected to fill the virtual reality gap later this year.
However given the massive acceleration of the technology space and rumours that Apple will be entering the field, HoloLens is starting to feel like another doomed do-over project like Windows Phone.
What do our readers think of this news? Let us know below.
