Microsoft and its hardware partners are gearing up to launch the first Windows Holographic VR headsets later this year, but it looks like developers will be able to start toying with the tech relatively soon. In a video posted to its Channel 9 developer site (via MSPU), Microsoft noted that the first Windows Holographic VR headset developer kits will be distributed to developers at the Game Developers Conference (GDC), which runs from February 27 through March 3.
As you may recall, Windows Holographic VR headsets are expected from a wide range of partners like Dell, Lenovo, and HP. As opposed to current VR headsets like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, Windows Holographic VR headsets will offer a relatively low cost of entry (starting at around $300) and be able to run on lower-end hardware. Getting the dev kits into the hands of developers so soon bodes well, as there should be a decent number of experiences available for the platform by the time the commercial headsets are ready to ship out to customers later this year.
As for when commercial headsets will make their way out to consumers, that's still an unknown. The headsets will require the Creators Update on your Windows 10 PC to operate, so any release will have to follow in its footsteps. But that leaves a whole lot of 2017 open for a potential release date.
