Microsoft’s HoloLens To See Its Debut In The Workplace

Google started some interesting chatter last week when reports emerged that Google Glass would be returning — this time for the enterprise. Now, Microsoft seems to be generating new discussions about wearable technology in the workplace with its own announcement.

ZDNet reports published Tuesday (July 14) said Microsoft’s HoloLens, its augmented reality headset that has gained significant attention from video gamers, will likely be released as an enterprise product.

“For sure in the first version [of HoloLens], it’s going to be more about developers and enterprise scenarios,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told ZDNet.

The remarks may come as a surprise to some considering Microsoft struck a deal last year to buy Minecraft for $2.5 billion, part of the company’s strategy to enter into a new, mixed-reality space for video games. But according to Nadella, Microsoft is not choosing one focus over the other.

“In general, Microsoft’s approach will be always this dual-use focus, or this multi-focus,” the CEO said. “What we can uniquely do is bridge consumer to enterprise.”

Still, while the HoloLens isn’t out of the gaming field, Nadella told ZDNet that the device will be geared towards the workforce. “Gaming will always be a scenario, and there will be other entertainment broadly. But, with the V.1 of HoloLens, I want us to push a lot more of the enterprise usage.”

The executive said he imagines the technology in a slew of workplace environments like hospitals and retail. “That’s where I’m seeing the interest, and we’ll definitely go after it,” Nadella said.

An introduction of HoloLens for enterprise use would place Microsoft in yet another line of direct competition with Google. The company is already in stiff competition with its rivals in terms of the B2B technology market. With Apple, for example, Microsoft has been working to strengthen the presence of the Windows Phone in the hands of employees to try to overtake the iPhone as the most popular enterprise device.

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