Between its efforts with HoloLens and Windows Mixed Reality, Microsoft has been particularly adamant about the role mixed reality experiences will play in the future of computing. One of the biggest potential growth areas for mixed reality lies in the workplace, which we've already seen in everything from operating rooms to automobile design studios.
At its Build 2018 developer conference, Microsoft announced two new mixed reality apps built for the workplace. Both apps are built with firstline workers in mind, with the aim of enabling "richer experiences that understand the context surrounding people, the things they use, their activities, and relationships," Microsoft says.
The first application, Microsoft Remote Assist, acts as a way for workers to remotely collaborate with experts on their Microsoft Teams contact list. The app includes hands-free video calling, image sharing, and mixed reality annotations – all of which enable the worker to keep their hands free while being guided through a task.
The next application, Microsoft Layout, is essentially a design app for mixed reality. Customers bring 3D models into a room in real-world scale, checking them out in a physical space around them or in virtual reality. The spaces can then be shared and edited with others in real time.
With HoloLens already gaining some traction amongst industrial users, Layout and Remote Assist are interesting additions to the experience. Both apps are expected to be available for free in a limited preview starting May 22.
E3 2021 schedule: All the biggest announcements so far
We’ve rounded up all the biggest announcements from E3 2021 so far, coupled with the full schedule of conferences and live streams coming up next.
Need a laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 port? Every PC here deserves a look.
Looking for a new laptop that has Thunderbolt 3 ports? Well, you're in luck, as we've rounded up what we think are the best Thunderbolt 3-enabled laptops available to buy today.
We've always known that Windows 10 support would end in 2025
Reports and rumors around the web highlight a Microsoft support document listing the end of Windows 10 support in October 2025. This date has been known for years and isn't related to any upcoming news.
These are the best motherboards to build a PC inside the Lian Li O11D Mini
Lian Li's O11D Mini is a special PC case. It's small and compact, requiring an SFX PSU, but you can install a full-size ATX motherboard inside the chassis. This opens up plenty of avenues for PC builds, and we've rounded up the best motherboards to use as a foundation.