Windows 10 VR: Difference between revisions - VR & AR Wiki - Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality Wiki

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[[File:Windows 10 VR headset line.png|thumb|Figure 2. Windows 10 VR headsets (Image: www.tudocelular.com)]]

Windows 10 has received new [[virtual reality]] capabilities with the [[Windows 10 Creators Update]]. With this Windows update, [[Microsoft]] joins the list of technology companies that are invested in the virtual reality (VR) business. It allows for a device manufacturer to build a [[VR headset]] powered by Windows 10. Microsoft announced that companies like HP Inc, Lenovo, Dell, Acer, and ASUS would produce VR headsets based on the new Windows 10 feature <ref name=”1”> Vanian, J. (2016). Here’s how Microsoft is bringing virtual reality to Windows 10. Retrieved from http://fortune.com/2016/10/26/microsoft-virtual-reality-business/</ref> <ref name=”2”> Griliopolous, D. (2016). What Windows 10 means for VR and AR. Retrieved from http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/what-windows-10-means-for-vr-and-ar-1317919</ref>.

Windows 10 has received new [[virtual reality]] capabilities with the [[Windows 10 Creators Update]]. With this Windows update, [[Microsoft]] joins the list of technology companies that are invested in the virtual reality ([[VR]]) business. It allows for a [[Virtual Reality Devices|device]] manufacturer to build a [[VR headset]] powered by Windows 10. Microsoft announced that companies like HP Inc, Lenovo, Dell, Acer, and ASUS would produce VR headsets based on the new Windows 10 feature <ref name=”1”> Vanian, J. (2016). Here’s how Microsoft is bringing virtual reality to Windows 10. Retrieved from http://fortune.com/2016/10/26/microsoft-virtual-reality-business/</ref> <ref name=”2”> Griliopolous, D. (2016). What Windows 10 means for VR and AR. Retrieved from http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/what-windows-10-means-for-vr-and-ar-1317919</ref>.

3D and virtual reality are at the heart of Microsoft’s plans for Windows 10, as the date of release of several low-cost VR headsets - designed to run the flagship OS - comes closer. Furthermore, these headsets will be capable of producing what Microsoft is calling ‘[[Mixed Reality]]’ experiences, in which the headsets can display both the physical and digital world, and intermix the two for user interaction <ref name=”1”></ref> <ref name=”3”> Heath, N. (2016). Next spring, Microsoft will be releasing Windows 10 Creators Update, a 3D-focused revamp for its flagship OS. Retrieved from http://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-10-to-get-3d-makeover-for-new-299-vrar-headsets/</ref>.

These Windows 10 VR headsets will arrive in 2017 and contain built-in sensors to enable inside-out, six-degrees of freedom for simplified setup. It also allows the user to more easily move around has he experiences the virtual worlds. The devices will sell for $300 and unlike other VR headsets such as the [[Oculus Rift]], they will work with affordable laptops and PCs <ref name=”1”></ref> <ref name=”3”></ref>.

These Windows 10 VR headsets will arrive in 2017 and contain built-in sensors to enable [[inside-out tracking|inside-out]], six-[[degrees of freedom]] for simplified setup. It also allows the user to more easily move around has he experiences the virtual worlds. The devices will sell for $300 and unlike other VR headsets such as the [[Oculus Rift]], they will work with affordable laptops and PCs <ref name=”1”></ref> <ref name=”3”></ref>.

A powerful VR headset like the Oculus Rift or [[HTC Vive]] requires powerful computers that are generally more expensive than what the average consumer would spend. Not only that, but the headsets themselves are expensive - something that can limit the market for virtual reality. The technology hasn’t been widely adopted yet and it is still a novelty rather than a mainstay. Therefore, to expand the VR market to the average consumer, Microsoft is investing in low-cost VR headsets powered by Windows 10 <ref name=”1”></ref> <ref name=”4”> Estes, A. D. (2016). Microsoft wants to make VR cheap and easy with Windows 10. Retrieved from http://gizmodo.com/microsoft-wants-to-make-vr-cheap-and-easy-with-windows-1788234777</ref> <ref name=”5”> Fuscaldo, D. (2017). Microsoft to include augmented reality in Windows 10 (MSFT). Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/news/microsoft-include-augmented-reality-windows-10-msft/</ref>.

A powerful VR headset like the Oculus Rift or [[HTC Vive]] requires powerful computers that are generally more expensive than what the average consumer would spend. Not only that, but the headsets themselves are expensive - something that can limit the market for virtual reality. The technology hasn’t been widely adopted yet and it is still a novelty rather than a mainstay. Therefore, to expand the VR market to the average consumer, Microsoft is investing in low-cost VR headsets powered by Windows 10 <ref name=”1”></ref> <ref name=”4”> Estes, A. D. (2016). Microsoft wants to make VR cheap and easy with Windows 10. Retrieved from http://gizmodo.com/microsoft-wants-to-make-vr-cheap-and-easy-with-windows-1788234777</ref> <ref name=”5”> Fuscaldo, D. (2017). Microsoft to include [[augmented reality]] in Windows 10 (MSFT). Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/news/microsoft-include-augmented-reality-windows-10-msft/</ref>.

Some of the possible uses for VR and [[augmented reality]] (AR) headsets running Windows 10 were demonstrated during a Microsoft event in New York, in October of 2016. At the event, the company’s AR headset [[HoloLens]] was used to display Microsoft’s Edge browser. One of the forthcoming Windows 10 VR headsets was also shown and used to demonstrate a virtual space with virtual shelves stocked with apps and 3D models. The Edge browser appeared as a large window in this view (Figure 1). The last demonstration was [[Holotour]], which is an interactive tourism site that allows various locations to be visited in VR <ref name=”3”></ref>.

Some of the possible uses for VR and [[augmented reality]] (AR) headsets running Windows 10 were demonstrated during a Microsoft event in New York, in October of 2016. At the event, the company’s AR headset [[HoloLens]] was used to display Microsoft’s Edge browser. One of the forthcoming Windows 10 VR headsets was also shown and used to demonstrate a virtual space with virtual shelves stocked with [[apps]] and 3D models. The Edge browser appeared as a large window in this view (Figure 1). The last demonstration was [[Holotour]], which is an interactive tourism site that allows various locations to be visited in VR <ref name=”3”></ref>.

The new headsets will be complemented by a series of Windows 10 new features that are focused on 3D content creation and sharing - part of the Windows 10 Creators Update. These include apps like Paint 3D, a new version of Microsoft Paint <ref name=”3”></ref> <ref name=”6”> Feltham, J. (2017). Windows 10 mixed reality support arrives next month. Retrieved from https://uploadvr.com/windows-10-mixed-reality-support-arrives-next-month/</ref>.