Mixed Reality technology, built on the foundations of Augmented Reality tools, promises to transform our workplaces, and lives forever.
Bringing a new dimension to the integration of real-world and virtual landscapes, MR could be the technology of the future, particularly in business environments where access to quick, convenient information is key.
When Google Glass was first introduced in 2013, it touched on the concepts of AR and MR in a way we hadn’t seen before. Unfortunately, the technology failed to deliver the results Google expected.
Years later, Microsoft entered the MR market in earnest with the HoloLens headset, a solution considered today to be the market leader in MR hardware.
Since then, Google has updated its own technology, introducing a new, Enterprise-focused system in the form of the Glass Enterprise Edition 2.
The question is, how does this new tech compare to the leading Microsoft HoloLens 2?
What is the HoloLens 2? Features
The HoloLens 2 is the latest state-of-the-art Mixed Reality headset from Microsoft. Considered the ultimate creation in the MR world today, the HoloLens 2 offers users the ability to bring digital content into the real world through sensational holographic experiences.
Convenient, easy-to-use, and effective, the HoloLens 2 empowers employees and enterprises like never before.
The spatial mapping technology in the HoloLens 2 makes it feel as though you’re really interacting with the digital assets in your environment.
Hand and eye-tracking brings you closer to the content you need, and access to features like voice commands and video streaming ensures users can unlock new levels of productivity on the job.
Features include:
- Immersive eye and hand tracking
- Built-in voice commands
- Spatial mapping
- Instant voice and video collaboration
- Microsoft tools for productivity
- Microsoft Azure foundation
- Comprehensive system of enterprise apps
- Windows Hello with iris biometrics
- Windows Holographic tools
- Remote management via Microsoft Intune
- Hardware specially designed for regulated spaces
- See-through holographic lenses
- 3K 3:2 light engines
- 4 visible camera head tracking
- 2 IR camera eye-tracking
- 1080p camera with 30 FPS streaming
- Display optimisation with 3D rendering
- 5 channel microphone array
- Built-in spatial sound
- World-scale positional spatial mapping
- 2-3 hours of battery life
- Bluetooth 5 and Wi-Fi
With a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 chip at the core, the HoloLens 2 from Microsoft is easily one of the most exciting tools on the market for companies interested in the mixed reality world.
This state-of-the-art system brings 3D MR experiences into a new world.
What is the Glass Enterprise Edition 2? Features
The latest creation in the Google Glass line-up is a world apart from the original product that failed to live up to expectations.
The Enterprise Edition 2 Google Glass headset is a small and lightweight computer with a transparent computer, designed for hands-free work.
Similar to the HoloLens, the Glass Enterprise 2 helps teams to stay focused by fitting naturally into their workflow.
The Google Glass Enterprise 2 also comes with access to collaboration features in real-time, such as the ability to stream live video to your team members.
The technology provides quick and simple access to digital content in a real-world setting.
Features include:
- Android open-source project 8.1
- Dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5
- 8-megapixel color sensor
- 83-degree field of view
- Up to 1080p video 30FPS
- 640 x 360-pixel RGB
- Mono speaker
- USB audio
- Multi-touch gesture touchpad
- 3 beam-forming microphones
- USB data transfer
- Privacy LED to show when the camera is working
- Gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer
- IP53 ruggedization
- Non-condensing performance
With an upgraded CPU, the Enterprise Edition 2 now has a lot of the same computing performance as the HoloLens 2, though the holographic image creation isn’t quite as advanced.
The headset excels at live-streaming, with a powerful camera capable of delivering HD content to your colleagues, so you can get help with problems in seconds when on the manufacturing floor or in the field.
There’s also the option to create your own applications for Google Glass with the open-source platform.
Which is Better? Microsoft HoloLens 2 or Google Glass?
When the Google Glass headset was first introduced in 2013, it was far from the revolutionary technology it was expected to be.
Today, that solution simply wouldn’t hold up with the AR and MR systems available form leading providers like Microsoft and Magic Leap. Fortunately, Google has learned its lesson in the MR environment.
The new Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 is a lot closer to what we would expect from a set of MR smart glasses today. The video streaming technology is on par with what you get from the HoloLens 2, with the same frame rate and quality.
You’ll also get a high-performing CPU, similar to what you’d expect from Microsoft’s device.
Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 is also particularly appealing to developers, because it runs on an open-source Android platform, perfect for creating unique experiences.
Of course, you can also build solutions of your own within the Microsoft Mesh ecosystem, so there’s plenty of room to experiment with both solutions.
Of course, there are some significant differences between the two solutions too. While both Google and Microsoft’s technology has the power to change the way you work, the functionality seems to be on a different level.
Google Glass appears to be a simple hands-free AR solution, while Microsoft explores the deeper 3D realms of Mixed Reality.
Find your XR Solution
The Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 is a lightweight and appealing solution for business users who need access to plenty of useful information on the move.
However, it’s important to note that it’s hard to compete with Microsoft and HoloLens 2 at this point. Google’s solution does offer a lot of functionality, but it doesn’t quite deliver the immersive holographic experience given by Microsoft.
It may be better to think of the Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 as a wearable AR solution, while Microsoft enters the world of MR.
