TOKYO \u2014 Nov. 29, 2016 \u2014 Microsoft Corp. announced on Tuesday that Microsoft HoloLens, the world\u2019s first self-contained holographic computer running Windows 10, will be available for preorder in Japan starting Dec. 2. Devices will begin to ship in early 2017.
Today\u2019s news comes just six weeks after Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition and Microsoft HoloLens Commercial Suite expanded globally to six new markets. With this milestone HoloLens is now available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States (including Puerto Rico).
\u201cOur mission at Microsoft is to bring mixed reality to every person and organization on the planet,\u201d said Alex Kipman, technical fellow, Microsoft Windows and Devices Group. \u201cSince January 2015 we have been hard at work to bring the vision of mixed reality to life. It has been inspiring to see what has been created by our partners, and the team remains in awe of the way developers are using HoloLens. We can\u2019t wait to see what everyone in Japan creates when they get their hands on HoloLens.\u201d
Commercial customers breaking new ground with Microsoft HoloLens
HoloLens has transformed how companies work with their three-dimensional data, delivering new ways to design, create, collaborate and explore. More information about how companies are changing the way they work is available here.
One of the companies innovating with HoloLens is Japan Airlines. Using Microsoft HoloLens, Japan Airlines has developed two proof-of-concept programs to provide supplemental training for engine mechanics, and for flight crew trainees who want to be promoted to co-pilot status. Microsoft is very excited to have Japan Airlines on this holographic journey.
Microsoft\u2019s mixed-reality movement is just beginning
Today, HoloLens customers are developing innovative solutions that are already having a positive impact on their business. These customers are the early adopters of the kind of mixed-reality solutions that are poised for exponential growth in the years to come. According to IDC, \u201cworldwide revenues for the augmented reality and virtual reality market will grow from $5.2 billion in 2016 to more than $162 billion in 2020.\u201d * Windows 10 will be updated in 2017 to include Windows Holographic, the platform that powers the mixed-reality experiences enabling people to perceive the world differently, break down barriers, and bring the virtual and the physical worlds together.
Microsoft HoloLens available to preorder in Japan now
Microsoft first announced HoloLens in January 2015 and shipped to developers and commercial partners in Canada and the United States on March 31, 2016. Microsoft HoloLens is available for preorder Dec. 2, exclusively from the Microsoft Store in Japan, with devices starting to ship in early 2017.
More about the Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition and Commercial Suite, and Windows Holographic, can be found here .
Microsoft (Nasdaq \u201cMSFT\u201d @Microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
* IDC press release, \u201cWorldwide Revenues for Augmented and Virtual Reality Forecast to Reach $162 Billion in 2020, According to IDC,\u201d Aug. 15, 2016
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