Speaking at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Microsoft has announced that the first developer edition Windows Holographic mixed reality headsets will ship to developers and partners "later this month." Alongside that announcement, we got our first look at the headset itself, which is a unit from acer. Check it out below:
Here's a quick look at the specs of the headset Microsoft will be sending out to developers:
- Two high-resolution liquid crystal displays at 1440 x 1440
- Display refresh rate up to 90 Hz (native)
- Built-in audio out and microphone support through 3.5mm jack
- Single cable with HDMI 2.0 (display) and USB 3.0 (data) for connectivity
These are the first Windows Holographic VR headsets from HP, Dell, and more!
When headsets start shipping out to developers later this month, Microsoft says the kits will include the Acer headset, access to Windows 10 Insider preview build, documentation, and a dedicated SDK for building mixed reality apps. There's still no word on just when the headsets will make their way into consumer hands, but getting them out to developers is a big first step towards that goal.
On a final note, you may notice that the "Windows Mixed Reality" moniker is different from the Windows Holographic VR name Microsoft used when it revealed plans for the low-cost partner headsets in late 2016. That's no mistake, as a Microsoft spokesman confirmed to OnMSFT:
Microsoft renamed "Windows Holographic" to "Windows Mixed Reality" to be more encompassing of the company's broader vision for the platform. We're unifying the mixed reality ecosystem around a platform that enables shared experiences and interoperability between headsets. By opening up the Windows Mixed Reality platform to the industry at large, we anticipate the growth of holographic apps will make for stronger experiences and better devices for everyone.
