Microsoft’s HoloLens will be ‘totally wireless’ with up to 5.5 hours of battery life

Microsoft technical evangelist Bruce Harris has unveiled new details for Microsoft’s augmented reality headset, HoloLens. At an event in Tel Aviv, Harris was recorded (via Petri) saying that that any universal Windows 10 app will run natively on the device, as we’ve already heard, and that developers will naturally need to create 3D apps to realize the HoloLens’ full potential.

But Harris also talked about how the device features Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, describing it as “totally wireless.” In fact, he said a wired version of the HoloLens would not be available.

This brings up the question of battery life. Apparently in this department, the HoloLens will be “very much like a laptop.” That means up to 5.5 hours of basic use, and 2.5 hours of high-intensity use.

That seems completely reasonable to us. Compare that to sitting through a two-hour movie, and I would argue that 2.5 to 5.5 hours is plenty of time to invest before having to put the HoloLens down for charging.

Microsoft has managed to get such arguably decent battery life by limiting the field of view (described by Harris as similar to a 15-inch monitor about 2 feet away). As costs come down (Microsoft is manufacturing the device itself), the company plans to expand the field of view.

But the best part of Harris’ talk was the mention that the HoloLens will apparently be able to connect with other units, including over the Internet. HoloLens owners will thus be able to share experiences with other HoloLens users, viewing an object together at the same time. The experience will naturally depend on the available bandwidth, like for any Internet-connected device.

Microsoft still has not shared a release date for the HoloLens. That said, the Developer Edition will be available this quarter for $3,000.

While the original recording of Harris’ talk has been pulled, The Verge re-uploaded a copy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXu5toPPqVE