Microsoft has announced that, one year after it was first unveiled, the HoloLens augmented reality headset is available for pre-order, and it’s not cheap. In a blog post, Alex Kipman, the Microsoft executive that has effectively adopted HoloLens as his baby, revealed that the Development Edition of the wireless AR headset can now be reserved, for the hefty sum of $3,000, before it ships on 30th March.
“I’m thrilled to announce that starting today, developer applicants will start receiving invitations to purchase the Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition – which will begin shipping on March 30th,” Kipman writes. “Today represents a monumental step forward. This is the first step in our journey to consumers. A step focused on our commercial partnerships and on supporting developers, who will help pave the way to consumer availability with amazing and new holographic experiences.”
“The future of technology will not be confined to just two dimensions – our future interaction with technology will more closely mirror our real world,” he adds. “Technology coexisting in our real, three-dimensional world, beyond screens and pixels. We believe that the future is holographic, and as a result, we will continue to empower the developers who will help bring that future to life.”
While the HoloLens release is a Development Edition, rather than a consumer release, $3,000 seems overpriced, especially compared with the sub-$1,000 price points of both the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
