Next week, Microsoft Ignite 2023 will kick off, where the leading computing firm will showcase its latest innovations over a two-day schedule, which covers the firm’s comprehensive product portfolio.
Among its innovations in AI and digital communications, the firm is working on boosting its mixed reality (MR) and industrial Metaverse offerings going into the new year.
Leading towards next week’s online showcase event, Microsoft quietly debuted updates for its MR platforms, perhaps suggesting plans to reveal updates on its XR product portfolio at Ignite 2023.
October was fruitful for Microsoft’s MR offerings, with the firm updating its already deep XR product portfolio to provide new opportunities for enterprise clients representing a range of verticals.
Dynamics 365 Guides Version 9.0 Hightens Hololens Use Cases
In late October, Microsoft highlighted new features in its Dynamics 365 Guides Version 9.0 update that showcases how the platform provides a range of innovative use cases as the firm preps for its 2024 industrial Metaverse debut.
Dynamics 365 Guides is a platform that allows MR headset operators to access assistive reality features and use immersive Microsoft applications.
Microsoft appears to be building its spatial computing abilities with the latest guides update. Now, a Hololens 2 can construct a 3D build of a user’s environment to improve accuracy for application and object placements.
Another feature that Microsoft showcased is object anchors, the ability to place digital content in the real world – enabling realistic digital content placement.
The Dynamics 365 Guides feature also allows developers to attach instructions to a real-world object. The feature opens a world of possibilities for immersive training applications which leverage the real and virtual world.
Object Anchors are generally available, and developers can use a Hololens 2 device to scan a digital object ready for a digital instruction placement.
Moreover, Microsoft boasts a “highly accurate method for positioning holograms,” reducing the number of visual inconsistencies, and the firm has improved the surface reflection of objects. Therefore improving the way digital objects react to lighting.
Dynamics 365 Guides Version 9.0 also features packaged guides, which enables enterprise clients to share immersive guidance documents as easy-to-manage file types viewable only on Hololens.
Finally, Microsoft featured a new ability allowing operators to switch their immersive environment without going through various sign-in processes.
Microsoft Debuts Windows Holographic, Version 23H2
Earlier in October, Microsft also updated its Windows Holographic platform to version 23H2, leading into Ignite.
Windows Holographic is the operating system that powers Hololens 2-based applications, like Dynamics 365 Guides.
Version 23H2 adds a range of new features to optimize the platform for workplace operations and productivity applications.
Notably, the updates vastly improve eye and hand tracking for Windows Holographic services.
The eye and hand tracking update enables a “considerably smoother user experience,” moreover, the update improves interaction like pressing buttons or typing on a keyboard. Microsoft also adds optimized typing suggestions and audio feedback when using virtual keyboards.
The update is also improving the Hololens 2 camera capabilities. Users can now access a virtual viewfinder which shows an operator their video feed when sharing it with colleagues. Microsoft notes that the viewfinder doesn’t interfere with an operator’s point of view.
Microsoft is also improving the security features of Windows Holographic while also optimizing usability and flexibility for enterprise end users.
Will Microsoft Showcase MR at Ignite 2023?
Will Microsoft Showcase MR at Ignite 2023? The answer is most definitely yes.
With the event’s deep session schedule, the firm has given time to XR and the industrial Metaverse. Notably, the firm highlights how AI will exist alongside its XR portfolio, driving adoption.
While the firm is passionate about XR, AI is still a golden goose. However, with Microsoft’s 2024 industrial Metaverse roadmap, there is a chance that the firm may wow audiences with a significant update to its XR portfolio.
Over the past months, Microsoft is slowly releasing news about its MR plans. The information comes following a quiet start of the year regarding XR. Now, Microsoft’s immersive technology divisions seem to have a fresh direction. They are stepping towards providing a product portfolio to enable the future of work based on its popular pre-existing workplace applications.
AI and MR are a big focus for Microsoft, and Ingite will most likely reflect this. However, Microsoft’s emerging MR product portfolio will soon take centre stage as it becomes a significant horse in the XR race – following a time when it appeared as if Microsoft was falling behind.
