Virtual and Augmented reality innovations are appearing at an accelerated rate as hardware grows more affordable, and software more accessible. However, there’s one aspect of extended reality where few creators still fear to tread: mixed reality.
The Mixed Reality environment is complex, as it requires today’s innovators to combine the virtual and real worlds like never before. More than just an enhanced version of “AR”, Mixed Reality opens the door to concepts like holoportation and holograms.
Today, we’re looking at two of the innovative products in the mixed reality landscape currently available on the market. The first is Microsoft’s flagship solution for Mixed Reality: the Hololens 2. The second product we’ll explore is the Varjo XR-3 – a mixed reality solution designed with its own amazing bionic display.
Hololens 2: Features
The Hololens from Microsoft is probably one of the first headsets most people imagine when thinking about mixed reality. This unique device was one of the first in the industry to appear with a focus on blending virtual and real environments. With the Hololens 2, companies can support their teams in collaborating with precision across boundaries, through holograms, hand-tracking, and more.
The Hololens 2, available also in an “industrial” edition allows users to focus on immersive tasks with things like built-in voice commands, spatial maps, and an extra-large field of view. Just some of the features you can expect include
- Comprehensive untethered mixed reality support
- Holographic density > 2.5k radiants
- See-through holographic lens with 2k resolution
- Real-time eye-tracking
- Two-handed fully articulated hand tracking
- Built-in 360-degree spatial sound
- Windows Hello with iris recognition
- Voice command and control
- Wi-Fi 5 streaming support
- Bluetooth 5
- Easy sharing of MR content
- Full access to the Microsoft cloud and app ecosystem
- Hololens 2 management through Microsoft apps
- 200 enterprise-ready app solutions
- 1-mp time-of-flight depth sensor
- 2 IR cameras for eye tracking
- 4 visible light cameras for head tracking
- 5 channel microphone arrays
- World-scale positional tracking
- Real-time environment mesh
Perhaps the most compelling feature of the Microsoft Hololens 2 is that it comes with so many features to support productivity and accessibility. You can enjoy between 2-3 hours of active use with your headset, and access features like Microsoft Dynamics 365 apps and Microsoft Mixed Reality partner apps for deeper immersion. There’s even a version of Windows 10 designed just for the HoloLens 2, with commercial-ready management built-in.
Varjo XR-3: Features
Though the Varjo team might not be as well-known as Microsoft just yet, it’s still gaining a lot of attention as one of the top providers of high-end virtual and mixed reality experiences. Described as the ultimate high-performance solution for mixed reality, the Varjo XR-3 uses a bionic display system to deliver human-eye level resolution and an impeccable field of view.
Varjo is one of the few companies in the extended reality industry offering true retina resolution. You also get hand-tracking with the help of Ultraleap Gemini, and eye tracking to help improve the connection between the real and digital worlds. Some of the most impressive features of the Varjo XR-3 headset include:
- Human-eye level resolution
- Sensational Bionic display performance
- Automatic IPD adjustment
- Replaceable and washable face cushions
- 200 Hz eye-tracking
- Ultraleap Gemini hand tracking
- Varjo inside-out tracking
- Positional Steam VR tracking
- 115-degree horizontal field of view
- 90 Hz refresh rate
- 1920 x 1920 focus area per eye
- LiDAR and RGB fusion or depth
- 3-point precision fit headband
- Access to an extensive range of MR software options
- 93% DCI-P3 and 99% SRGB
Already in use among some of the biggest industry leaders in the world, the Varjo XR-3 headset is paving the way for a new level of creativity and productivity. Photorealistic mixed reality with individually calibrated colors and exceptional realism make the Varjo headset an amazing competitor against the Hololens 2.
Microsoft Hololens 2 vs Varjo XR-3: Which is Best?
Microsoft and Varjo are clearly both pulling out all the stops for their mixed reality creations. With the Hololens 2, you get stunning visuals with display optimization for 3D eye position and extensive hand, eye, and head tracking. The comprehensive Hololens camera also streams 1080p video, with a microphone array spread over 5 channels and built-in spatial sound.
The Microsoft Hololens 2 seems to be the perfect tool for creative collaboration in an immersive world. Access to a comprehensive range of Microsoft applications and integrations make it easy to access the tools teams need to innovate. The ease of use of the headset and bonus features like Windows Hello for Enterprise-grade security make the tool particularly appealing for teams.
While the Hololens 2 could certainly be the kind of product companies use to innovate and explore new frontiers, the Varjo XR-3 seems to shine particularly well on this front. The XR-3 is the only human eye-resolution device in the world, capable of creating mixed reality immersion like nothing we’ve ever seen.
The Varjo XR-3 works seamlessly with a host of leading 3D applications, though it doesn’t have the same support for everyday productivity tools as the Hololens 2. There’s also extensive tracking functionality built into this headset with Ultraleap Gemini technology. Access to LiDAR sensors and the unique inside-out sensors from Varjo do give you a more untethered, natural experience when combining the real and virtual worlds, compared to the Microsoft Hololens 2.
The good news for today’s companies is both of these headsets put safety and security first, with data protected at every stage of the XR experience.
Which Mixed Reality Headset Wins?
So which MR headset is the best?
The answer to this question depends on what you need. If you want an amazing tool for bringing teams together for sensational collaborations, the Microsoft HoloLens is likely to be the perfect choice. It’s immersive, affordable, secure, and reliable.
If you’re looking for something world-changing, and you’re willing to pay more to get it, the Varjo XR-3 is definitely exploring some new frontiers.
