Microsoft may unveil the HoloLens 2 next month at MWC19

[Cal Jeffrey]

Rumor mill: With Microsoft already working on a second-generation HoloLens without having ever released the first to the consumer, people are anxious to get their mitts on one without having to shell out thousands of dollars. Microsoft will be attending MWC19 next month, and Alex Kipman will be on hand. So we might get word on the HoloLens 2's progress then.

Last June we've reported that Microsoft was working on a second-generation HoloLens that could be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1. At the time it was thought that Microsoft would be revealing a HoloLens 2 at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. However, CES 2019 came and went without a reveal of the new mixed-reality headset.

A recent development now seems to indicate that Redmond might be planning an unveiling at this year's Mobile World Congress. A press invitation from Microsoft states that it will be hosting an event at MWC19 on February 24. Key speakers include CEO Satya Nadella, CVP Julia White and technical fellow Alex Kipman. Kipman is the creator of the HoloLens, so news of the second-generation headset seems promising.

Microsoft began working on the first-generation HoloLens as early as 2010. It released a Development Edition for $3,000 in 2016 and followed it up with an enterprise version the following year, which sells for $5,000. While it has continued to say a consumer model is in the works, there never seems to be any sign of a release date.

Since AR and VR technology has advanced so quickly, a consumer version of a second-generation headset seems more likely. Keep in mind that we are guessing at Microsoft's plans for MWC19 based on its invitation. The tech titan has yet to make an official announcement, so take this news with a grain of salt.

Mobile World Congress 2019 will be held in Barcelona Spain from February 25 to 28.

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[Squid Surprise]

If they want to compete with the PlayStation 5, they better have something for their new XBox by 2020.... While the hardware for the PSVR may not match some of the stuff for PC, I have to say that it is still REALLY fun to play... Anyone who has Astrobot probably agrees with me

 

[Evernessince]

If they want to compete with the PlayStation 5, they better have something for their new XBox by 2020.... While the hardware for the PSVR may not match some of the stuff for PC, I have to say that it is still REALLY fun to play... Anyone who has Astrobot probably agrees with me

It's not just the hardware that's the issue for the PSVR. The tracking is also piss poor and so are the controllers. What do you expect when they simply took their other failed products and used them for VR.

They've got a long way to go to catch up to current gen VR headsets let alone what is coming right around the corner. Heck something like the Oculus Quest could make consoles entirely irrelevant.

 

[JaredTheDragon]

Heck something like the Oculus Quest could make consoles entirely irrelevant.

No, it can't. Most people still don't and won't play VR games, myself included. AR maybe - if the device weighs and feels just like a pair of sunglasses, someday. But VR is just absurd and a niche market at best. Toys for tots.

Most games wouldn't even work in VR or AR in any fashion, and not just platformers and side-scrollers, but simulators like KSP as well. Yes, there's a console version of that too now.

 

[Evernessince]

No, it can't. Most people still don't and won't play VR games, myself included. AR maybe - if the device weighs and feels just like a pair of sunglasses, someday. But VR is just absurd and a niche market at best. Toys for tots.

Most games wouldn't even work in VR or AR in any fashion, and not just platformers and side-scrollers, but simulators like KSP as well. Yes, there's a console version of that too now.

Judging by this comment I'm going to say you aren't a VR owner. Given that VR is just a screen with stereoscopy, any game will work on it period.

FYI one of the first VR games with touch was a platformer, Lucky's Tale. There are also platformers on VR made by big wigs from previous AAA game studios like Carly and the Reaperman.

I would suggest you try a product before bashing it and making incorrect statements.

 

[Squid Surprise]

No, it can't. Most people still don't and won't play VR games, myself included. AR maybe - if the device weighs and feels just like a pair of sunglasses, someday. But VR is just absurd and a niche market at best. Toys for tots.

Most games wouldn't even work in VR or AR in any fashion, and not just platformers and side-scrollers, but simulators like KSP as well. Yes, there's a console version of that too now.

I suggest you check out the PlayStation... yes it has the weakest VR option - but it’s also the cheapest and has the most games...

I assumed it was going to be pretty crummy when I got it - it was mostly for my brother to give him an excuse to visit! - but it’s pretty awesome! I suspect the better VR options are even more immersive - but the PlayStation version, assuming you already have a PlayStation, is the best way to introduce yourself to it. The VR set comes bundled with a game or 2, plus a demo disk with a bunch more, so you can get a real feeling for it fairly cheaply.