Microsoft and Samsung are collaborating on new augmented reality project, says report

By Robert Carnevale
published

Another day, another instance of corporate synergy.

HoloLens and Microsoft Windows logo
HoloLens and Microsoft Windows logo (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • A new report reveals that Microsoft and Samsung are working together on an AR project.
  • Should the details of the report be accurate, we'll see the mystery project go public in 2024.
  • Based on the information, the collaboration should result in some form of commercial hardware.

Microsoft is no stranger to the augmented reality (AR) game. Not only does it continue to support its HoloLens 2 headset for everyday AR users, but it's also deep into a project with the U.S. Army to produce soldier-attuned HoloLens variants (referred to as IVAS) for use in combat scenarios and other dangerous situations. Now, it's reportedly working with Samsung on an all-new AR project, though we're a long way from finding out what exactly it is.

According to The Elec, Microsoft and Samsung have been hard at work on something secret since the summer of 2021. The project is said to take the companies through 2023, at which point it will wrap up. From it, a commercial offering will be unveiled in 2024, meaning we may have a ways to go before the details of this report are confirmed by either company.

All that is known is that the project is AR-related and may involve some sort of hardware Samsung will be producing (rather than Microsoft). Samsung's investments in DigiLens, the company behind tech found in AR display devices, may further substantiate the idea that the former will be handling the physical gadgetry in its collaboration with Microsoft.

Either way, should the report's information be accurate, we aren't likely to hear much until 2024 or close thereto, potentially in sync with when the ever-expanding metaverse necessitates the need for everyone to have AR tech.

Robert Carnevale
Robert Carnevale

Robert Carnevale is the News Editor for Windows Central. He's a big fan of Kinect (it lives on in his heart), Sonic the Hedgehog, and the legendary intersection of those two titans, Sonic Free Riders. He is the author of Cold War 2395. Have a useful tip? Send it to robert.carnevale@futurenet.com.

7 Comments
  • Samsung hardware with Microsoft Software? Sounds like a winning combination to me.
  • I totally agree. Microsoft's long standing relationship with Samsung gives me hope that the patents for a Duo styled device may be the next rebirth of the Note series sometime around that time. If anyone could make a Duo inspired device well, Samsung could.
  • This could be good news for consumerization of HoloLens technology! Remember Samsung was the hardware partner for the second generation of Surface tabletop computer as well (Surface gen.2 / Samsung SUR40), Microsoft regularly hands over its hardware tech to partners when the time has come to offer more choice or larger volume. Microsoft focusing on Windows Holographic and Samsung building hardware sounds like a larger volume production than the current HoloLens 2, I'm definitely looking forward to that.
  • this fantastic news. because while microsoft has great creators and designers, they don't have the manufacturing expertise. they also don't have a big chip designing teams. they have been at the mercy of Intel and Qualcomm. While the Hololens sounds fantastic, being first built around Atom sounded like a disaster. And then a previous generation ARM design.
  • Samsung they who push the hardware that propelled Android to the top.
    Now shall do the same for AR glasses windows 365.
    Poor Google lol 😈😈😈😈😈
  • I think maybe Microsoft tested their hololens 3 but did not get the proper result in terms of hardware. Microsoft does not want to release an unpolished hardware and lose the train again like smartphones. Their deal with U.S. military proves Microsoft has built the platform and tools for AR for several years. Samsung can give MS a high boost to dominate the next gen computing. Can't wait to see their product.
  • Maybe Samsung will take Microsoft hardware and mass manufactur it
    It will have Microsoft windows 365 ar software on it.
    And Microsoft will make a high end version for there surface brand.
    So surface ar glasses for high end users.
    And Samsung for the masses.
    But all Microsoft hardware and software.
    So meany of Microsofts software and hardware died in the 20 teens because of the failure of the windows phone. They will not make the same mistake.