Last week, Microsoft spoke out regarding its Hololens 2 MR device. Despite announcements remaining dormant, the technology giant appears to be back on track with its hardware journey with its most recent release of Windows Holographic version 23H1.
A significant element of its most recent update is the introduction of Windows 11 on the device. Moreover, the 23H1 upgrade includes a trove of device management and control improvements. The firm first introduced Windows 11 for Hololens earlier this month. At the time, Robin Seiler, Company Vice President and COO of Windows and Devices Organisation, exclaimed Microsoft’s intent to ensure “commitment to [the] HoloLens 2 and the broader Mixed Reality program.”
In addition to Seiler’s previous comments. The firm’s dedication to XR is evident with its most recent 23H1 update, alongside Lola Bryan, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft, saying the 23H1 update “reinforce[s] our commitment” to the Hololens platform.
Moreover, Bryan added:
By making this investment, we have optimized our engineering infrastructure and increased engineering velocity. For end-users, we have increased reliability and predictability of updating apps, as well as the OS.
The Principal Program Manager noted that, with 23H1, Microsoft makes it quicker to close applications, improve deployment conversations for IT admins, and allows Hololens 2 users to “work more seamlessly with Autopilot.”
In recent months, the future of Microsoft’s Hololens device has been questionable. Various reports on Microsft reallocating teams and closing services lead many to believe the firm could be stepping away from immersive hardware development.
Moreover, to support these rumours, Microsoft continued a commitment to help other XR devices with an immersive version of its Office Suite and other applications available on third-party hardware. However, Microsoft does distribute its desktop services on non-widows devices. So the firm may not be out of the XR hardware race yet.
Hololens 2, 23H1: New Features
The 23H1 update includes several new features and options that significantly improve the usability and management of the Hololens 2 device and its integrated applications for enterprise end-users.
Firstly, Microsoft is adding the ability for users to view application updates manually via the settings menu instead of going through the Hololens 2 app store. The feature allows users to view all incoming updates even in an immersive environment that blocks the App Store.
23H1 also introduces Microsoft Edge WebView2, which allows application developers to embed web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript into their Hololens application. The feature leverages Microsoft’s Chromium-based Edge rendering engine to display web content in native Hololens applications. This allows applications to include Web2 elements such as advertisements and search bars.
Moreover, 23H1 adds new device reset considerations. Now, if a user wants to reset their Hololens 2 device, they must follow two conditions: a “sufficient battery charge” of 40 percent and a 6GB of free disk space.
Thanks to the update, users can now more conveniently operate immersive applications in the device’s Mixed World environment; a user can conveniently stop all applications with the new “Close All” or “Close” option from an application context menu. The feature is also available in Kiosk mode.
Device Management and Security Considerations
Hololens 2 users can now access reboot CSP features and related changes in the device’s Intune feature. The service improves device management operations, such as scheduling single daily and weekly reboots. As firms consider XR headset adoption, they must ensure considerations towards IT departments that provide device deployment, maintenance, and security success.
Additional device management features include new pop-up visuals that clearly indicate when an application requires an update. When an application needs an update, the Hololens will display notifications as a blue circle icon near the user profile.
Microsoft is also boosting considerations for user privacy concerning biometric data. The Hololens 2 OOBE screens now display information on device usage for head, hand, and eye movements. Moreover, Microsoft is making it harder to accidentally skip the disclosure page to better inform users of the data the Holoelens 2 is collecting. The firm also notes that no changes to data collection are taking place.
Finally, Microsoft adds user device administration tools on the device management side. Microsoft is adding the ability to delete users to assist with at-scale deployments. According to Microsoft, enterprise end-users could encounter a 64-user limit per device, which stops larger-scale operations.
However, Microsoft is addressing the pain point by adding controls that allow device managers to select and remove the least recent users of a Holoelens 2 device in a controlled manner. The firm points out how the deleting features can accelerate sign-in procedures and improve security measures by removing unused data.
New Autopilot, Generative AI Features
Since its release of AutoPilot earlier this year, Microsoft confirmed its dedication to the emerging AI space following the wake of ChatGPT – the parent firm of which, OpenAI, Microsoft owns a significant stake. However, with 23H1, Microsoft is adding generative AI tools for enterprise end-users to the Hololens 2 headset.
The firm’s Dynamics 365 Remote Assist and Dynamics 365 Guides applications for Hololens 2 now support generative-AI inputs. Microsoft will deploy the AI features once it completes its Azure Active Directory project. Moreover, the Hololens 2 update introduces an AI-specific reset option for select fail states alongside Autopilot optimization.
What Next for Hololens?
Despite recent partnerships to support Microsoft services on third-party devices. The Holoelens’ future does appear to be in question for some.
The problems started in 2022 when the Hololens team faced serious hurdles following internal reports of unethical behaviour that led to Microsoft’s former head of Hololens and MR, Alex Kipman, resigning in June 2022.
The head’s resignation forced the company to shift its management and development responsibilities for Hololens to its Windows & Devices division – with many Microsoft Hololens engineers moving to Meta. However, later the same year, Microsoft’s Vice President of MR, Scott Evans, said a new headset iteration could soon come.
The VP explained that a third Holelns device would only arrive once the technology was ready. The report at the time noted how the firm would debut the device upon the arrival of a significant step up in performance when compared to previous headset versions.
Evans said:
No one wants to be obsoleted for 10% better capabilities. They don’t need a successor yet, but they want to know it will be there at the right time.
To ensure the next device’s success, the VP explained that the firm is examining specifications and client challenges that the Hololens 3 can address – such as display, tracking, sensors, and battery life.
The next year, Microsoft’s immersive team faced further reorganizations when it closed its Altspace VR Metaverse platform. Microsoft bought the service in 2017, following its debut in May 2015. The Metaverse service retained popularity across enterprise and consumer end-users before a steep rise in competition. Although, Microsoft chose to close the service on March 10, 2023.
Following Altspace VR’s closure, Microsoft transferred many of its remaining staff and resources to Microsoft’s development of Mesh – an immersive collaboration infrastructure. In its closing statements, the repositioned Altspace VR team explained that they will contribute to creating a Mesh platform that provides the “widest opportunity to all involved, including creators, partners and customers.”
What is Microsoft Mesh, MRTK?
Microsoft is working on Mesh, an AR/VR/MR service that lets users interact with RT3D representations of friends or coworkers.
Through “Holoportation,” users can collaborate in an immersive spatial environment using a headset, PC, or smartphone.
Users could also connect to a call as a tracked avatar thanks to Microsoft’s integration of the service into Teams. In addition, the Mesh Hololens app lets users make their avatars for immersive collaboration.
The Mesh platform is being used and promoted by organizations like Accenture and the World Economic Forum to leverage immersive collaboration opportunities.
Moreover, Microsoft is supporting developers in creating MR-ready business applications.
Microsoft is deploying MRTK (mixed reality toolkit) to help developers design open-source, cross-platform immersive content on various platforms, including the Hololens, mobile, and desktop devices.
Earlier this year, Robin Seiler also commented on the status of MRTK, noting:
From its inception, we created the MRTK to be cross-platform and open-source to benefit the entire ecosystem and not just HoloLens. We are excited that the open-source approach will enable it to live on, and we hope to see increased contributions from others across the Mixed Reality space.
The news comes as Microsoft continues to support the development of industrial Metaverse solutions. Microsoft’s Hololens, MRTK, and Mesh industrial Metaverse product portfolio provides an umbrella of immersive services for various enterprise use cases.
According to Seiler, HoloLens and Dynamics 365 are “key components of Industrial Metaverse deployments.” Sailer noted that by introducing industrial Metaverse considerations, the firm connects “the benefits of digital transformation to frontline workers in field service, factory operations, and many other use cases.”
