Microsoft HoloLens-Inspired VR Headsets To Go On Sale In 2017

Microsoft’s HoloLens are among the most advanced VR headsets, but the company may not launch the device commercially this year. One of the reasons for doing so could be the high-end price tag of $2,999.

The reason behind the high cost is the company’s Holographic technology, which projects 3D holograms on to the users’ field of vision. While the developer edition of the device has been available since March 2016, the company has not put out a date of availability for the consumer edition of the device.

However, you might soon be able to witness the technology used in HoloLens — but through third-party devices.

Microsoft told Business Insider at the CES event in Las Vegas on Thursday: “Microsoft is teaming up with a handful of PC makers who will release their own headsets based on HoloLens technology over the next few months.”

“These new head mounted displays will be the first consumer offerings utilizing the Mixed Reality capabilities of Windows 10 Creators Update,” the company added.

Simply put, you might soon get a HoloLens-inspired headset running Windows 10.

Microsoft calls its technology “mixed reality” rather than virtual reality, as Holographic technology creates holograms and projects them in real-time surroundings.

The headsets are likely to have a functionality similar to HoloLens and are expected to be made by Dell, Acer, HP, Lenovo and 3Glasses. They could hit the market by the end of the year, with prices starting from $299.

But unlike the HoloLens, the headsets will need to be tethered to a PC. Microsoft says that PCs supporting the headsets will cost around $500.

While Microsoft’s software has been appreciated and even used in military applications, only time will tell how it fares with lower-grade hardware.