14 DAY TRIAL // The gaze of many video game fans is at the moment fixed on the launch of the first virtual reality devices, with players eager to see what the technology has to offer and how various developers have managed to use it to boost their titles.
But as VR is set to dominate the news in 2016, Microsoft seems to be playing a longer game with its own HoloLens augmented reality device, and a new project from the company is suggesting that it will introduce a new way for users to be present in different spaces.
The company explains, "Holoportation is a new type of 3D capture technology that allows high-quality 3D models of people to be reconstructed, compressed and transmitted anywhere in the world in real time. When combined with mixed reality displays such as HoloLens, this technology allows users to see, hear, and interact with remote participants in 3D as if they are actually present in the same physical space."
According to Microsoft, the plan is to create a situation where real persons and remote presences can communicate as naturally as they would if they were face to face.
The holoportation via HoloLens concept is very interesting, but Microsoft is not saying whether it will ever become part of the core feature set of the augmented reality solution.
AR and VR might be important for social networks
At the moment, virtual reality fans can get access to the Oculus Rift if they were lucky enough to place a pre-order or if they were part of the initial backing contingent on Kickstarter.
Starting next month, users can also pick up the Vive from HTC and Valve, which comes complete with more options for a full room experience and with dedicated controllers.
Sony has also announced that it will deliver its PlayStation VR solution in October of this year, with gamers able to get just the headset for 399 dollars or Euro or a bundle that also features the required Camera and the Move controllers for 499 dollars or Euro.
At the moment, Microsoft is not working on any kind of virtual reality solution but wants to make the HoloLens an important part of its future strategy, although, at the moment, it is only offering a developer version that's being sold for 3,000 dollars or Euro.
Both the company and Facebook seem interested in using AR and VR to create a more realistic take on social networks.
