Today, Microsoft is announcing the first ever software update for its HoloLens augmented reality headset. The update contains “some amazing new features and some much needed fixes” include multi-window support and easier photo-pinning – according to project lead Alex Kipman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM5OHHrOGqQ
Here is the full list of new features included in this patch:
Multi-window support: HoloLens users can now have up to three windows open at once for increased multitasking efficiency.
Groove music: Groove Music can now be played in the background while you’re interacting with different HoloLens apps.
Rotation: Hologram rotation is finally being implemented, giving you more control over the exact placement of the asset you are manipulating.
Voice commands: New voice commands are being introduced to aid in hologram customization. You can now grow or shrink an asset simply by saying “make bigger” or “make smaller”
Mixed reality screenshots: One of the more significant new features added here. By pressing the up and down buttons volume buttons at the same time, you can instantly capture mixed reality stills of the augmented worlds they are creating.
App resizing: Apps can now be resized vertically.
Bluetooth: Support has now been added for bluetooth keyboards and – for the first time – a bluetooth mouse.
Pinning photos: Photos can now be pinned onto surfaces via a simple gesture and no longer require you to use the app bar.
Kipman also indicated that the improvements being rolled out by this May update are in direct response to the feedback of HoloLens’ early adopters. The $3,000 development kits for this system recently became available, and so we will likely see many more updates such as this – perhaps even on a monthly basis considering the naming convention being used here.
HoloLens has lost a bit of its initial good will in recent months as its actual capabilities were revealed to stand in contrast to its early promotional videos. With updates like these continuing to become available, perhaps the headset will start to more fully resemble its early promise and grow into the game-changing device it has the potential to become.
