You gotta love how the first application to be shown in that video is e-mail. I can just imagine how that meeting went.
Dev: "OK, we've created the first platform for fully holographic interfaces. You can create entire worlds where the only limit is your imagination. What should we build first?"
One of the points is that they didn't build a new Outlook for it, that's just crusty regular old Outlook being Outlook (in a 3D space, but Outlook might not even know that).
Microsoft has completely missed the most powerful aspect of VR/AR here...
I believe strongly that one of the KEY features of AR/VR for humans is that it leverages our excellent spacial memory.
The spacial metaphor is a powerful one, and the reason memory techniques like loci work. We need to leverage this in VR. Standing at a virtual computer screen is exactly the wrong way to think about this.
I'm pretty sure Microsoft hasn't forgotten that. It's subtle in the video, but the applications are more than in just one "virtual screen" spot and seem to remember where they were left (Outlook and Edge are in very different positions in her space, for instance). Same with the virtual knick knacks and doodads scattered in the space.
The promises from earlier Windows Holographic pitches is that it is very space-aware including making it easy for multiple machines and people to share a consistent space between them.
Certainly there's probably a lot more that the 2D applications could make use of 3D space, but the point of the demo (and Windows Holographic) is that existing 2D applications play nice in your 3D spaces.
This x1000. So far most of the HoloLens apps are some variant of 'maps on tables' or 'floating screens'. This is totally wasting the potential of this platform.
At work, on my desk is a Hololens. In some ways, it's cool. In others, it is a complete pile of garbage not worth anyone's time.
Cool:
New display type, that puts out really good looking holograms floating in reality.
Really solid SLAM algo that allows building of areas in 3d.
Battery and usage is really solid. Can actively use it at full brightness for 6 hours before recharge.
Suck:
Runs only things from their "App Store" aka the slum store where PuTTY is $5...
Sorry, no X86 apps. Period. End of story. Use Metro/UWP or whatever they call it these days.
Very little applications for platform. What little useful ones available are for ridiculous amounts. Open source is non-existent.
Loads of crypto data going to and from MS domains. All pinned cert data. The size seemed to correspond to the total size of rooms scanned listed in the settings.
No Administrator access, nor is there even a file manager. You are a renter on this platform, not an owner. This of this as "Surface RT for your face".
Requires Microsoft account to use, full stop. Don't have an account and don't want an account? You have a $3000 paperweight.
If you're prone to getting migraines, using this for any length of period will likely trigger a migraine. I know 3 people who get them, and each of them received a migraine within 5 minutes of usage. It has to do with how the clip/strap works on the head.
Well, in the VR side of stuff, we have the Rift DK1 and DK2, Vive, and the OSVR.
Everybody has their content for the Rift. They were first. And it shows by the number of people making content.
The Vive is pretty awesome. The controllers are top notch. I was playing (edit: nope, not Incredible Machine) Fantastic Contraption, and having a great time at it. Things just work, and work well. Make sure to put the room position sensors up about 5-6 feet on tripods though.
The OSVR... Well, a pile of crap is putting it nicely. The scripts that install the drivers are that: bad scripts. half the stuff is command-line and badly documented (unless you go through source as your documentation). There's almost no applications for the platform, and no way to run Oculus based demos and games on it. Head tracking was a disaster- when it worked. Save your money and frustration. Buy something else.
Not a problem, not even by default with the latest Oculus software. SteamVR supports Oculus, not sure if the inverse is true (although I will be finding out with my Vive purchase).
> Sorry, no X86 apps.
Not a problem.
> Very little applications for platform.
Somewhat. Virtual Desktop implies that you can use any Windows application - but purely native stuff is still scarce. When you get more specialized with stuff like Leap Motion Orion (which is outright mindblowing), the situation becomes much worse. All the cost of living on the bleeding edge: the devices themselves are extremely polished but the community surrounding them is still miniscule.
> Loads of crypto data going to and from MS domains.
Oculus tracks. Nothing reported in that department for Vive.
> No Administrator access, nor is there even a file manager.
OSVR somewhat blows this door open, although not yet. It's really new and understandably janky - I steer well clear of it. Still, once it's more mature, it's going to be great.
> Requires Microsoft account to use, full stop.
I can't recall if I had to set up an account for the new DK2 runtime. Vive requires Steam.
> If you're prone to getting migraines
VR is known to have motion sickness problems in specific titles (which move/rotate the camera) for some people. I am not one of those people: test a kit out before buying. I've never heard of/read about migraines with VR.
I'd assume the lack of open source is related to the price tag. Not a lot of people can afford one just to play with and release code to open source. My guess they are mostly bought by companies with a specific application in mind.
It's also because MS refused to have existing X86 apps to run on the platform. I'm sure it was to chunnel everyone into metro of whatever they call it. They could have had a whole ecosystem by default (at least for 2d apps). But nope.
They could have implemented a wrapper around a program to allow usage. WINE already can do that with PlaysForLinux. But like I said, the hardware is spectacular; the software is a slum.
Regular 2d apps in 3d space could be great, basically a natural extension of the multi-monitor setup. But I don't see it being viable in the next five years. Current generation VR displays are not even close to the required resolution for useful office work.
It's sad that the promise of VR was that we could be taken to places that we couldn't go in real life. Like Iceland - I'd love to go to Iceland, but there are issues that prevent that. Or maybe The Louvre, but without all the other tourists, etc. clogging up the joint.
No, we get email and a virtual dog.
So far, I'm not seeing a reason to even want VR, much less shell out ridiculous amounts of money for it.
OK, that's more like it. The marketoids should have led with that and gotten bigger from there, rather than leading with the mundane stuff I can already do just as well with a bog-standard computer.
In case you might not know: The first few minutes are most likely a nice nod to Microsoft Bob [1], the first time they tried to create an alternate shell environment (and hopelessly failed, I might add).
31 comments
[ 83.3 ms ] story [ 1735 ms ] thread> The typeface Comic Sans was created for Microsoft Bob.
Dev: "OK, we've created the first platform for fully holographic interfaces. You can create entire worlds where the only limit is your imagination. What should we build first?"
PM: "Outlook!"
Oh Microsoft, never change ;)
virtual renditions of remote touristic places & events: YES !
virtual desktops, apps that work best in 2D forced into 3D and virtual pets: rather no.
[Edit]: Didn't realise that the linked video actually showed off HoloTour :)
I believe strongly that one of the KEY features of AR/VR for humans is that it leverages our excellent spacial memory. The spacial metaphor is a powerful one, and the reason memory techniques like loci work. We need to leverage this in VR. Standing at a virtual computer screen is exactly the wrong way to think about this.
The promises from earlier Windows Holographic pitches is that it is very space-aware including making it easy for multiple machines and people to share a consistent space between them.
Certainly there's probably a lot more that the 2D applications could make use of 3D space, but the point of the demo (and Windows Holographic) is that existing 2D applications play nice in your 3D spaces.
Whatever pointing device they give had better be good. Flailing around in mid air trying to click a tiny box right next to two other tiny boxes sucks.
Cool:
New display type, that puts out really good looking holograms floating in reality.
Really solid SLAM algo that allows building of areas in 3d.
Battery and usage is really solid. Can actively use it at full brightness for 6 hours before recharge.
Suck:
Runs only things from their "App Store" aka the slum store where PuTTY is $5...
Sorry, no X86 apps. Period. End of story. Use Metro/UWP or whatever they call it these days.
Very little applications for platform. What little useful ones available are for ridiculous amounts. Open source is non-existent.
Loads of crypto data going to and from MS domains. All pinned cert data. The size seemed to correspond to the total size of rooms scanned listed in the settings.
No Administrator access, nor is there even a file manager. You are a renter on this platform, not an owner. This of this as "Surface RT for your face".
Requires Microsoft account to use, full stop. Don't have an account and don't want an account? You have a $3000 paperweight.
If you're prone to getting migraines, using this for any length of period will likely trigger a migraine. I know 3 people who get them, and each of them received a migraine within 5 minutes of usage. It has to do with how the clip/strap works on the head.
Everybody has their content for the Rift. They were first. And it shows by the number of people making content.
The Vive is pretty awesome. The controllers are top notch. I was playing (edit: nope, not Incredible Machine) Fantastic Contraption, and having a great time at it. Things just work, and work well. Make sure to put the room position sensors up about 5-6 feet on tripods though.
The OSVR... Well, a pile of crap is putting it nicely. The scripts that install the drivers are that: bad scripts. half the stuff is command-line and badly documented (unless you go through source as your documentation). There's almost no applications for the platform, and no way to run Oculus based demos and games on it. Head tracking was a disaster- when it worked. Save your money and frustration. Buy something else.
Not a problem, not even by default with the latest Oculus software. SteamVR supports Oculus, not sure if the inverse is true (although I will be finding out with my Vive purchase).
> Sorry, no X86 apps.
Not a problem.
> Very little applications for platform.
Somewhat. Virtual Desktop implies that you can use any Windows application - but purely native stuff is still scarce. When you get more specialized with stuff like Leap Motion Orion (which is outright mindblowing), the situation becomes much worse. All the cost of living on the bleeding edge: the devices themselves are extremely polished but the community surrounding them is still miniscule.
> Loads of crypto data going to and from MS domains.
Oculus tracks. Nothing reported in that department for Vive.
> No Administrator access, nor is there even a file manager.
OSVR somewhat blows this door open, although not yet. It's really new and understandably janky - I steer well clear of it. Still, once it's more mature, it's going to be great.
> Requires Microsoft account to use, full stop.
I can't recall if I had to set up an account for the new DK2 runtime. Vive requires Steam.
> If you're prone to getting migraines
VR is known to have motion sickness problems in specific titles (which move/rotate the camera) for some people. I am not one of those people: test a kit out before buying. I've never heard of/read about migraines with VR.
They could have implemented a wrapper around a program to allow usage. WINE already can do that with PlaysForLinux. But like I said, the hardware is spectacular; the software is a slum.
No, we get email and a virtual dog.
So far, I'm not seeing a reason to even want VR, much less shell out ridiculous amounts of money for it.
Well played Microsoft, well played.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Bob -- Note the dog.