What you need to know
- A new report reveals that Microsoft and Samsung are working together on an AR project.
- Should the details of the report be accurate, we'll see the mystery project go public in 2024.
- Based on the information, the collaboration should result in some form of commercial hardware.
Microsoft is no stranger to the augmented reality (AR) game. Not only does it continue to support its HoloLens 2 headset for everyday AR users, but it's also deep into a project with the U.S. Army to produce soldier-attuned HoloLens variants (referred to as IVAS) for use in combat scenarios and other dangerous situations. Now, it's reportedly working with Samsung on an all-new AR project, though we're a long way from finding out what exactly it is.
According to The Elec, Microsoft and Samsung have been hard at work on something secret since the summer of 2021. The project is said to take the companies through 2023, at which point it will wrap up. From it, a commercial offering will be unveiled in 2024, meaning we may have a ways to go before the details of this report are confirmed by either company.
All that is known is that the project is AR-related and may involve some sort of hardware Samsung will be producing (rather than Microsoft). Samsung's investments in DigiLens, the company behind tech found in AR display devices, may further substantiate the idea that the former will be handling the physical gadgetry in its collaboration with Microsoft.
Either way, should the report's information be accurate, we aren't likely to hear much until 2024 or close thereto, potentially in sync with when the ever-expanding metaverse necessitates the need for everyone to have AR tech.
