Microsoft expands HoloLens 2 availability, adds 5G/LTE dongle support
HoloLens 2 adds 15 new markets this fall, while also going on sale online and in Microsoft Stores
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
What you need to know
Microsoft’sHoloLens 2appears to be a hit with its professional and enterprise target market. The company is rapidly expanding availability to more markets due to strong demand and interest.
Moreover, today at Build, Microsoft is also announcing some related news around Azure mixed reality cloud services, enhanced features with HoloLens 2 including Ethernet for 5G/LTE support, and more usage cases from customers.
HoloLens 2 headed to 15 more markets
Althoughannounced in February 2019, Microsoft didn’t ship HoloLens 2 untilmonths later in November. At the time, the $3,500 headset launched in ten markets, but just six months later, Microsoft is already expanding its availability to 25 countries.
Here is the complete list. The new markets are in bold, and they will get HoloLens 2 starting this fall:
Microsoft has also added new features to HoloLens 2 with a recent software update:
The addition of USB Ethernet support is exciting. HoloLens 2 is built on the QualcommSnapdragon 850but without support for 4G LTE. At the time, Microsoft cited the lack of interest from customer partners in the feature, but evidently, things are changing with the advent of 5G. While HoloLens 2 itself still does not support 4G or 5G, customers can now use a USB Ethernet dongle with wiring to an LTE/5G portable device to enable connectivity anywhere needed.
And for the first time, in summer 2020, customers will be able to buy HoloLens 2 from Microsoft Store both online and in physical stores.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Azure Spatial Anchors is now generally available
Part of what powers Microsoft Mixed Reality is the reliance on Azure, specifically Azure Spatial Anchors (ASA), which lets developers “map, persist and share 3D content at real-world scale.” The cross-platform technology allows devs to create apps on Android, iOS, Windows, and other mixed-reality platforms that rely on real-world mapping (shared coordinate systems) to ensure a seamless experience.
While ASA has been around for a while, it is now going from merely a preview to general availability starting today.
Another important Windows mixed reality tool is Azure Remote Rendering (ARR), which, starting today, is now in Public Preview:
Azure Remote Rendering lets enterprise developers in industries such as manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retail bring the highest quality 3D content and interactive experiences to mixed reality devices, such as HoloLens 2. This service uses the computing power of Azure to render even the most complex models in the cloud. It streams them in real-time to your devices, so users can interact and collaborate with 3D content in amazing detail.
More information about both technologies is available at Microsoft’sMixed Reality Dev Days event, which startsMay 21 through May 22using AltspaceVR. Registration is free and open.
HoloLens 2 making a difference in the real world
Finally, while Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 and its mixed reality ambitions are often hypothetical, there are some real-world examples of the technology being used. Microsoft highlighted three examples of institutions using its technology as a reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deployment of#Hololens2@Microsoftat@HopitalAvicenne@APHP@univ_spnin the ex orthopaedic Departement to minimise patient/doctor-nurse interaction in the frame of#Covid19patients management: day2@LaurentSchloss@adcayrac@Othmanchihebpic.twitter.com/v3U8liHWCtDeployment of#Hololens2@Microsoftat@HopitalAvicenne@APHP@univ_spnin the ex orthopaedic Departement to minimise patient/doctor-nurse interaction in the frame of#Covid19patients management: day2@LaurentSchloss@adcayrac@Othmanchihebpic.twitter.com/v3U8liHWCt— Thomas GREGORY (@tms_gregory)April 1, 2020April 1, 2020
For those wondering about HoloLens 2 ever coming to the consumer market, unfortunately, there are no plans for this generation’s hardware to make that leap. Still, Microsoft is on the right track in pursuing holographic technology while making an impact with professionals and developers around the globe.
All hope is not lost for consumers and fans of mixed reality, though, as HP is likely to reveal more information about its “next-gen VR” head-mounded display very soon. That headset,which was teased back in March, is made in cooperation with Microsoft and Valve. Likewise, we could see some updates to Windows 10 Mixed Reality later this year.
Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer,podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.
