Windows Mixed Reality

Its flagship device, Microsoft HoloLens, was announced at the "Windows 10: The Next Chapter" press event on January 21, 2015.{{cite web|last=Shaban |first=Hamza |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/1/21/7867593/microsoft-announces-windows-holographic |title=Microsoft announces Windows Holographic with HoloLens headset |publisher=The Verge |date=2014-09-02 |access-date=2015-01-21}} The HoloLens provides an augmented reality experience where a live presentation of physical real-world elements is incorporated with that of virtual elements (referred to as "holograms"{{efn|See also: {{Section link|Holography|False holograms}}}} by Microsoft){{cite AV media |date=29 February 2016 |title=Microsoft HoloLens: What is a hologram? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVXH5V8MVQo |access-date=7 March 2016 |publisher=Microsoft }}{{cite web|last1=Fenlon|first1=Wes|title=Microsoft HoloLens hands on: the promise and disappointment of AR|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/microsoft-hololens-hands-on-the-promise-and-disappointment-of-ar/|website=PC Gamer|access-date=2 May 2015|date=21 January 2015|quote=The Microsoft HoloLens is not what I think of when I hear the word "hologram." What Microsoft calls holograms, most of us have been calling augmented reality for years—overlaying digital images over our view of the real world.}}{{cite web|last1=Kreylos|first1=Oliver|title=What is holographic, and what isn't?|url=http://doc-ok.org/?p=1172|website=Doc-Ok.org|access-date=20 September 2015|date=22 January 2015|quote=While these things are quite different from a technical point of view, from a user's point of view, they have a large number of things in common. Wouldn't it be nice to have a short, handy term that covers them all, has a well-matching connotation in the minds of the "person on the street," and distinguishes these things from other things that might be similar technically, but have a very different user experience?|archive-date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421172522/http://doc-ok.org/?p=1172|url-status=dead}} such that they are perceived to exist together in a shared environment. A variant of Windows for augmented reality computers (which augment a real-world physical environment with virtual elements) Windows Mixed Reality features an augmented-reality operating environment in which any Universal Windows Platform app can run.{{cite AV media |people=Terry Myerson, Alex Kipman, Jeff Norris, Satya Nadella |date=21 January 2015 |title=Windows 10: The Next Chapter |url=https://ll.ms-studiosmedia.com/events/2015/1501/Windows10CP/live/Windows10CP.html |access-date=22 January 2015 |time=01:36:53 |publisher=Microsoft |archive-date=12 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412031218/https://ll.ms-studiosmedia.com/events/2015/1501/Windows10CP/live/Windows10CP.html |url-status=dead }}
{{cite web|title=Satya Nadella, Terry Myerson, Joe Belfiore and Phil Spencer: Windows 10 Briefing|url=http://news.microsoft.com/speeches/satya-nadella-terry-myerson-joe-belfiore-and-phil-spencer-windows-10-briefing/|website=News Center|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=6 March 2015|date=21 January 2015}}

The platform is also used for virtual reality headsets designed for use on the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, which are built to specifications implemented as part of Windows Mixed Reality, but lack support for augmented-reality experiences. In January 2023, Microsoft laid off entire teams which were developing HoloLens, Virtual Reality, and Mixed Reality products.{{Cite web |last=Corden |first=Jez |date=2023-01-21 |title=Microsoft has laid off entire teams behind Virtual, Mixed Reality, and HoloLens |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsoft-has-laid-off-entire-teams-behind-virtual-mixed-reality-and-hololens |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=Windows Central |language=en}} On December 21, 2023, Microsoft announced that WMR has been deprecated and will be removed in Windows 11 version 24H2{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Meghan |date=2024-02-09 |title=Deprecated features in the Windows client - What's new in Windows |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/deprecated-features |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=learn.microsoft.com |language=en-us}} expected in late-2024.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-22 |title=What Will Happen To Your Windows Mixed Reality Headset? |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/windows-mixed-reality-headset-support-end-date/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=UploadVR |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=2023-12-21 |title=Microsoft is discontinuing Windows Mixed Reality |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/21/24010787/microsoft-windows-mixed-reality-deprecated |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=The Verge |language=en}} On February 8, 2024, Microsoft announced Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26052, which removes WMR components.{{Cite web |last=Langowski |first=Amanda |last2=LeBlanc |first2=Brandon |date=2024-02-08 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26052 (Canary and Dev Channels) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2024/02/08/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26052-canary-and-dev-channels/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=Windows Insider Blog |language=en-US}}

In April 2024, Meta Platforms announced Microsoft as a third-party hardware partner for its Android-based "Horizon OS" platform (as used on Meta Quest headsets), with plans for a "limited edition" Quest model under the Xbox brand.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-23 |title=Meta Working On Framework To Port 2D Apps To Horizon OS |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-spatial-framework-mobile-apps-horizon-os/ |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=UploadVR |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Alex |date=2024-04-22 |title=Meta wants to be the Microsoft of headsets |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/22/24137284/meta-license-horizon-os-quest-headset-lenovo-asus |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=The Verge |language=en}}

{{main article|Microsoft HoloLens}}

The premier device for Windows Mixed Reality,{{cite AV media |people=Alex Kipman, Seth Juarez |date=30 April 2015 |title=Developing for HoloLens |url=http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2015/C9-08 |access-date=1 May 2015 |time=00:07:15 |publisher=Microsoft}} Microsoft HoloLens is a smart-glasses headset that is a cordless, self-contained Windows 10 computer running Windows 10 Holographic. It uses various sensors, a high-definition stereoscopic 3D optical head-mounted display, and spatial sound to allow for augmented reality applications, with a natural user interface that the user interacts with through gaze, voice, and hand gestures.{{cite web|title=HoloLens Interaction Model|url=https://blogs.windows.com/buildingapps/2016/01/21/hololens-interaction-model/|website=Building Apps for Windows|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=28 January 2016|date=21 January 2016|quote=The easiest way to think about it [gaze-based targeting for HoloLens] is as having a raycast from the device and which you can determine what object (real world as represented in the spatial mapping mesh or holographic) that ray intercepts with.}}{{cite web|last1=Colaner|first1=Seth|title=Microsoft HoloLens, Hands On: Promising Productivity, Little Panache|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/microsoft-hololens-hands-on,29027.html|website=Tom's Hardware|access-date=1 May 2015|date=30 April 2015|quote=The pair of Microsoft reps in the IPD room also explained to us the three ways we were going to interact with HoloLens: "gaze," wherein you move a cursor by looking around; "gesture," where you air tap to select an item; and "voice," which is...obvious. "We call it 'GGV'," said one of the reps.}}{{cite web|last1=Hempel|first1=Jessi|title=Restart: Microsoft in the age of Satya Nadella|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/01/microsoft-nadella/|publisher=Wired|access-date=22 January 2015|date=21 January 2015|quote=Each lens has three layers of glass—in blue, green, and red—full of microthin corrugated grooves that diffract light. [...] A "light engine" above the lenses projects light into the glasses, where it hits the grating and then volleys between the layers of glass millions of times.}} Codenamed "Project Baraboo", HoloLens had been in development for five years before its announcement in 2015, but was conceived earlier as the original pitch made in late 2007 for what would become the Kinect technology platform.{{cite magazine|last1=Hempel|first1=Jessi|title=Project HoloLens: Our Exclusive Hands-On With Microsoft's Holographic Goggles|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/01/microsoft-hands-on/|magazine=Wired|access-date=22 January 2015|date=21 January 2015}}

Microsoft has targeted HoloLens for release "in the Windows 10 timeframe", with the Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition to begin shipping March 30, 2016, available by application to developers in the United States and Canada for a list price of US$3000.{{cite web|title=Introducing the Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition|url=http://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-hololens/en-us/development-edition|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=7 October 2015|quote=We will work to get devices out as quickly as possible. As soon as additional devices are available, more accepted applicants will be invited to purchase.}} Although the Development Edition is considered to be consumer-ready hardware, as of February 2016 Microsoft has not set a time frame for consumer availability of HoloLens, with HoloLens chief inventor Alex Kipman stating that HoloLens will have a consumer release only when the market is ready for it.{{cite web|last1=Fried|first1=Ina|title=Burned by Kinect's Fizzle, Microsoft Is Taking Its Time With HoloLens|url=http://recode.net/2016/02/18/burned-by-kinects-fizzle-microsoft-is-taking-its-time-with-hololens/|website=Re/code|access-date=12 March 2016|date=18 February 2016}} Companies such as Samsung Electronics and Asus had expressed interest in working with Microsoft to produce their own mixed-reality products based on HoloLens.{{cite web|author1=Kim Yoo-chul|title=Samsung seeks partnership with Microsoft for hololens|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2015/05/133_178885.html|website=The Korea Times|access-date=7 December 2015|date=13 May 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Tibken|first1=Shara|title=Asus mulls HoloLens augmented-reality glasses of its own|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/asus-may-release-hololens-augmented-reality-glasses-of-its-own/|website=Wearable Tech|publisher=CNET|access-date=7 December 2015|date=19 October 2015}} Intel made a direct competitor called Project Alloy with its system called "Merged Reality"; however, it has been cancelled as of September 22, 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.roadtovr.com/intel-scraps-plans-to-launch-project-alloy-reference-headset-pursuing-other-vrar-rd/|title=Intel Scraps Plans to Launch Project Alloy Reference Headset, Pursuing Other VR R&D|last=Lang|first=Ben|date=2017-09-22|work=Road to VR|access-date=2017-09-22|language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/intels-project-alloy-is-the-vr-system-i-want-in-my-living-room|title=CES 2017: Intel's Project Alloy Is the VR System I Want in My Living Room|website=IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News|date=18 January 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.intel.com/chip-shots/intel-unveils-project-alloy/|title=Intel Unveils Project Alloy|website=Intel Newsroom}}

In October 2016 during a hardware event, Microsoft announced that multiple OEMs would release virtual reality headsets for the Windows Holographic platform, based on Microsoft reference designs enabling room-scale virtual reality without external sensors or components.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/microsofts-third-party-headsets-will-use-hololens-technology/|title=Upcoming third-party Windows VR headsets will use HoloLens tech|work=CNET|access-date=2017-11-11|language=en}} In January 2017, prototypes were presented at Consumer Electronics Show for release later in the year,{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/lenovos-first-windows-vr-headset-goes-flip-up-mode-arrives-later-this-year-for-under-400/|title=Lenovo's super-affordable flip-up Windows VR headset shows how work might get done in VR|work=CNET|access-date=2017-11-11|language=en}} and Microsoft later announced that it planned to release development kits for such headsets during the Game Developers Conference. These devices would be supported by the Windows 10 "Creators Update".{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3158222/virtual-reality/microsofts-first-tethered-windows-10-vr-headsets-to-ship-in-march.html|title=Microsoft's first tethered Windows 10 VR headsets to ship in March|work=PCWorld|access-date=2017-11-11|language=en}} At the Game Developers Conference in 2017, Microsoft stated that it intended to support Windows Mixed Reality headsets on Xbox One in 2018, specifically noting the capabilities of the then-upcoming Xbox One X hardware revision, but the company later stated that it was initially focusing on PC platforms first, and that it wanted to focus on wireless VR solutions for consoles.{{cite web|last1=Paul|first1=Ian|title=Windows 'Mixed Reality' VR headsets will hit the Xbox One and Project Scorpio next year|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3176515/virtual-reality/windows-mixed-reality-vr-headsets-will-hit-the-xbox-one-and-project-scorpio-next-year.html|website=PCWorld|publisher=IDG|date=2 March 2017}}{{cite web|title=Don't expect Xbox VR to be at E3 this year, or in stores this holiday|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/6/15745630/xbox-vr-e3|website=Polygon|date=6 June 2017|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=June 11, 2017}}

In October 2017, Microsoft officially launched Windows Mixed Reality and a lineup of third-party headsets for use with the Windows 10 "Fall Creators Update" (including a launch lineup of headsets from Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, and future products from Asus and Samsung), officially referred to as Windows Mixed Reality immersive headsets.{{Cite web|url=https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/mixed-reality/immersive_headset_setup|title=Immersive headset setup|website=developer.microsoft.com|language=en-us|access-date=2017-11-11}} Unlike HoloLens, these devices are only compatible with virtual reality software, but the underlying ecosystem is referred to as Windows Mixed Reality regardless of experience. All Immersive headsets feature integrated motion tracking (eschewing standalone sensors), and contain cameras that can be used to track handheld motion controller accessories, which may be bundled with the headset, or distributed as optional accessories.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/4/16417652/microsoft-windows-mixed-reality-demo-keynote|title=Watch Microsoft demo and explain Windows Mixed Reality|work=The Verge|access-date=2017-11-11}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/17/16487936/microsoft-windows-mixed-reality-vr-headsets-guide-pricing-features|title=Microsoft's Windows Mixed Reality: everything you need to know|work=The Verge|access-date=2017-11-11}}

Immersive headsets are currently compatible with mixed reality software obtained from Microsoft Store, universal apps, and Steam VR-compatible software.{{Cite news|url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/12053/windows-mixed-reality-headsets-gain-steamvr-support-a-library-of-vr-games|title=Windows Mixed Reality Headsets Gain SteamVR Support, a Library of VR Games|last=Shilov|first=Anton|access-date=2017-12-05}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/9/16627664/steamvr-games-available-in-windows-mixed-reality-on-november-15th|title=SteamVR games available in Windows Mixed Reality on November 15th|work=The Verge|access-date=2017-11-11}} The ability to run desktop software was added on the Windows 10 "May 2019 Update".{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3363697/windows-10-may-2019-update-review.html|title=Windows 10 May 2019 Update review: Sandbox and a better Windows Update improve your PC|date=2019-05-21|website=PCWorld|language=en|access-date=2019-05-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/22/18635282/microsoft-windows-10-may-2019-update-features-review|title=Windows 10 May 2019 Update: the 10 best new features|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=2019-05-22|website=The Verge|access-date=2019-05-22}}

Microsoft classifies its minimum and recommended system requirements for Windows Mixed Reality as "Windows Mixed Reality PCs" (60 fps) and "Windows Mixed Reality Ultra PCs" (90 fps). The minimum requirements specify an Intel Core i5-7200U or better for laptops, 8 GB of RAM, Intel HD Graphics 620 or better with DirectX 12 support, USB 3.0, HDMI or DisplayPort connections, and Bluetooth 4.0 support for controllers; The Verge noted that users "won't need a high-end gaming PC" to meet these recommendations.

* Note: Windows Mixed Reality headsets are also compatible with Xbox One Controllers.{{Cite web|title=Motion controllers in Windows Mixed Realit|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4040517/windows-10-controllers-windows-mixed-reality|access-date=2019-12-15|website=support.microsoft.com}}

** The Lenovo Explorer is also sold in some regions as the Medion Erazer X1000 MR Glasses.

Mixed Reality Portal is a Universal Windows Platform app that serves as a front-end for Windows Mixed Reality. It features a 3D environment which users can explore, and customize with application shortcuts and virtual desktops. The feature originally launched with one environment, the Cliff House. A second, Skyloft, was added in the April 2018 Update.{{Cite news|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/windows-mixed-reality-makes-steamvr-improvements-and-gives-you-the-keys-to-a-virtual-penthouse-apartment|title=Windows Mixed Reality set to get a range of improvements|work=TechRadar|access-date=2018-06-09|language=EN-GB}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3241949/virtual-reality/windows-mixed-reality-headsets-microsoft-12-days-of-deals.html|title=Try VR for cheap: Windows Mixed Reality headsets are on sale for nearly half off today|work=PCWorld|access-date=2018-06-09|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/1/16232704/microsoft-windows-mixed-reality-headsets-controllers|title=What is Windows Mixed Reality?|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-06-09}}

• Android XR
• Meta Horizon OS
• Version history
• visionOS

{{Notelist}}

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• {{Official website}}

{{Mixed reality}}

{{Microsoft APIs}}

{{Windows Components}}

Category:Augmented reality

Category:Mixed reality

Category:Virtual reality

Category:Windows 10

Mixed reality