Microsoft's HoloLens Developer Edition Launches March 30 for $3,000

Monday February 29, 2016 7:34 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Microsoft has announced that developers who applied to pre-order the HoloLens Development Edition will begin to receive invitations to purchase the device for $3,000, with shipments beginning on March 30 in the U.S. and Canada.

The development kit bundles the HoloLens with a carrying case, Bluetooth 4.1 clicker, wired charger, and an extra nose piece. Microsoft technical fellow Alex Kipman said broader consumer availability remains "further down the line."

Microsoft HoloLens is a cordless, self-contained Windows 10 holographic headset that mixes virtual reality with augmented reality.

HoloLens has see-through holographic lenses with an advanced optical projection system to generate multi-dimensional holograms that allow you to see holographic objects in your world. The headset is also equipped with multiple sensors and a built-in camera that analyze your surrounding environment.

The mixed-reality headset is powered by 32-bit Intel architecture and 2GB of RAM. The device also has 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, USB 2.0, 64GB internal storage, and up to three hours of battery life.

Microsoft will be including seven new apps, games, and tools on the HoloLens, and it encourages developers to create additional experiences for the mixed reality headset leading up to its Build developer conference on March 30.

Microsoft's augmented reality efforts precede Apple, which is rumored have a secret team of hundreds of employees working on a virtual reality headset. Our Apple VR roundup recaps the company's ambitions and competitors like Microsoft's HoloLens, Google's Cardboard, and Facebook's Oculus Rift.

Related Roundup: Apple Glasses

Tags: Microsoft, HoloLens

Top Rated Comments

teslo

66 months ago

I honestly can't see the excitement around VR yet. Maybe Apple will make it a necessity when they enter the market.

you don't see any excitement in being able to visit anywhere in the world from your couch? immersive games/classes/hobbies? the educational implications worldwide for Google cardboard? the latter of which means there's massive potential markets that don't even include us silly westerners and our shoot-em-up proclivities.

VR will change the world more dynamically than even TV could ever dream of.

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

DUCKofD3ATH

66 months ago

Microsoft's augmented reality is amazing. It's an exact copy of our reality except that in theirs, Clippy was a breakout success.

Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

acegreen

66 months ago

Oh man I would love to

Reads story...
Checks address bar at top to verify still on MacRumors...

Ah the same line in EVERY article that is not directly about Apple. Again MacRumors is a gadget news site even if it has just 'Mac' in its name. According to your definition it wouldn't cover even iPhone. I think thats ludicrous but hey you got me to reply so bravo, I guess I'm the idiot here.

This article covers a potential new category of gadgets that may directly impact Apple/Mac, so it makes sense to cover it.

I wish MacRumors staff would punish this waste of space.

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Bubba Satori

66 months ago

NEW from Microsoft's pointless gimmick division...

Morning Phil.
Can't innovate your what?

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

cicalinarrot

66 months ago

Ok, but will it be compatible with my Zune?

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

teslo

66 months ago

It won't. "VR" is a big scam and absolutely nothing is going to come of it.

yeah! "who needs this 'E-Mail' when i can write a perfectly good letter? absolutely nothing will come of this. next you'll be telling me i should chat with someone on video when i could just be there in person!"

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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