HoloLens 3 release news: Is it worth the wait?
The HoloLens, especially in its second version, is an everyday product for augmented reality and is used successfully by many companies. However, some decision-makers are currently wondering whether they should wait until HoloLens 3 is released before making a purchase – but that is still a long way off.
Microsoft wants to advance Mixed Reality with the HoloLens 3
The advantages of augmented reality and mixed reality, i.e. the mixing of real and digital content in the user’s field of vision, have so far mainly been used by professional users. While the idea originally included VR or AR glasses for the gaming sector, Microsoft explicitly did not develop the HoloLens 2 for the consumer market. Instead, the device was purchased by many companies for professional use. From healthcare to automotive and aircraft design to architecture, construction and education, Mixed Reality has already successfully found its way into many industries. Naturally, the experience gained is also to be incorporated into the development of HoloLens 3, which is to conquer the end customer market at some point with better display technology and more compact dimensions. Microsoft is said to have teamed up with the technology giant Samsung for this. The question for decision-makers in companies is whether it is worth waiting for the HoloLens 3 or whether they should buy the already proven second series model.
The HoloLens 2 has become a success story
Skeptics initially doubted whether AR glasses like HoloLens would even be accepted by companies. However, now that well-known pioneers of technical innovations in the automotive and aviation industries have placed their bets on the product, more and more medium-sized companies and large corporations are following suit. The HoloLens has not become a mass product due to the lack of an end customer market, but the device has firmly established itself in large companies. Especially in the U.S., Microsoft can also point to an important order from the military, because AR, VR and mixed reality are becoming increasingly important in this area as well. The crucial question, however, is whether the innovations of the HoloLens 3 compared to the Model 2 justify hesitation in the decision to introduce AR in companies. After all, the biggest problem here is that the HoloLens 3 release is still a long way off. Microsoft and Samsung had targeted a development of the glasses until the summer of 2023 – but then the device will not be available for purchase for a long time yet. The HoloLens 3 release will happen in 2024 at the earliest or even later. Moreover, the HoloLens 3 price is still completely unknown. Especially at the beginning, the new model – if it brings the promised technological leap forward – will probably be significantly more expensive than the proven Model 2.
The HoloLens 3 is supposed to be lighter and better – but that’s still pie in the sky
The collaboration with Samsung is expected to bring progress in the display quality of the HoloLens 3. In addition, wearing the glasses should become more comfortable for the users due to a significant weight reduction. Last but not least, the power consumption should be reduced so that the AR glasses can last longer. All these factors are certainly good and useful, but they show that the end user is the main target here. For professional users, the concrete availability of the technology with a proven product like the HoloLens 2 remains more important.
You can’t buy the Microsoft HoloLens 3 anywhere yet
While end customers in the gaming sector have no problem waiting a few more years for the latest innovation, companies already have to be future-proof today. Therefore, many companies will continue to focus on the use of the available HoloLens 2. Waiting for a product that has so far only been announced in outline and will not be available on the market for at least two years could prove to be much more cost-intensive than acquiring the present market solution. For developers in companies, of course, time does not stand still in the meantime. While one may be waiting for the perfect improvement of the HoloLens, others will have long since overtaken him. However, no one can afford to lose an advantage over the competition in the modern business world.
Conclusion: Professionals should not wait for HoloLens 3, but shape the future today
Since the HoloLens 2 is not available on the consumer market anyway, Microsoft and Samsung will probably take their time with the development of the HoloLens 3. After all, there is hardly any serious competition on the market. For companies, educational and research institutions, however, time is the decisive factor. Instead of waiting for the third version, for which there is no definite release date, the tried and tested HoloLens 2 should be the logical choice. Because even if the new model is released with all innovations at some point, there will be some teething troubles – as with most product launches – especially at the beginning. It will take at least two years until the Microsoft HoloLens 3 is really ready for the market and available. According to experience, it could also be three years or even more. Time that no one should waste.
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