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Microsoft Augments Reality With Windows Holographic

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Microsoft debuted Windows Holographic today, a new augmented reality user interface built directly into Windows 10.

Windows Holographic differs from what we've seen from virtual reality devices in that it augments the world around you with virtual holograms, rather than take users into entirely virtual worlds.

Microsoft illustrated the new software by showing off ways it could be used in video games such as Minecraft---build your Minecraft world around your own house!---as a collaborative tool, a tool for artists and scientists and architects and so forth.

Microsoft also invited software and hardware developers, including VR headset maker Oculus, to develop Holographic apps. In many ways, the augmented reality approach is a direct answer to Oculus and other VR headsets.

See Also: Cortana is a Major Part of Windows 10

Windows Holographic will be baked directly into Windows 10 with universal Windows 10 support. Holographic apps will be available early on in Windows 10 lifecycle.

HoloLens and Holo Studio

Microsoft also announced the HoloLens, a Holographic PC that looks like a VR headset, but functions as a stand-alone PC. The new gadget not only has a CPU and a GPU, it has a HPU (Holographic Processing Unit.)

Along with HoloLens, Microsoft announced Holo Studio, which allows users to create their own holograms and 3D print them. You can even use voice commands. This is the future of AutoCAD, people. Maybe.

Either way, combining virtual/augmented reality with 3D printing is pretty neat. The creative potential here is pretty astounding. From games to space exploration to educational applications.

See Also: Windows 10 will be a Free Upgrade for One Year

During the event, Microsoft demoed a woman building a holographic quad-copter with the software.

They then brought a 3D-printed version of the quad-copter onstage that they'd printed earlier.

It's impressive technology, to be sure, and I can only imagine what the community will do with it once it's released to the wild. I expect a great deal of 3D-printed Minecraft stuff.

Update: It occurs to me that with both holograms and Cortana, we could have an actual, visual version of Cortana hanging out with us...which would be a pretty...interesting...app for Windows 10 users.

You can watch the Windows 10 live event here. Follow Forbes Tech for more news and analysis of the event.

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