Microsoft debuts Windows Holographic, its augmented reality platform and headset

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft is getting deeper into augmented reality.

Today Alex Kipman, technical fellow for the operating system group at Microsoft, gave consumers a first look at a new product called Windows Holographic. It also announced a device, Microsoft HoloLens with multiple sensors, spatial sound, and multiple chips, including a Microsoft-crafted processor called a Holographic Processing Unit.

“Holographic computing enabled by Windows 10 is here,” Kipman said. Every Windows 10 build features Holographic application programming interfaces (APIs) for multiple screen sizes, he said.

And Microsoft wants to attract the attention of developers previously concerned with other augmented reality platforms.

Above: HoloLens in action

Image Credit: Screen shot

“Oculus, Magic Leap, Glass developers, and everyone else — we humbly invite you to come create holograms with us,” Kipman said.

There is software, Holo Studio, to give people the ability to create their own holograms while using the HoloLens.

“We call it ‘Build 3D in 3D,'” Kipman said.

Above: An onstage HoloLens demo

Image Credit: Jordan Novet/VentureBeat

To wrap up the demo, Kipman pulled out a 3D-printed quadcopter that was designed in HoloStudio.

“We’ve worked on this program for years,” Kipman said.

And yes, there is a Twitter account for the new HoloLens.