HoloLens 2 - FAQs

What is the HoloLens 2?

The HoloLens 2 is a Mixed Reality headset developed by Microsoft that overlays digital assets on top of your real world environment.

HoloLens 2 FAQs

Can I use the HoloLens 2 for gaming?

The HoloLens 2 is primarily an enterprise device, and its content features mainly enterprise applications.

hololens 2

What operating system does the HoloLens 2 run on?

The HoloLens 2 runs on the Windows 11 operating system.

hololens windows 11

How much does the HoloLens 2 cost?

The standalone hardware costs £3,349 with additional subscriptions available for various applications that included remote support, digital workflow and data visualisation.

HoloLens 2 Cost

Is the HoloLens 2 available for consumer purchase?

The HoloLens 2 is available for purchase for consumers, but most of its supported applications are based around enterprise business applications so it is recommended that devices such as the Meta Quest 3 are more suitable for consumer Mixed Reality use.

What industries is the HoloLens 2 designed for?

There are many tried and tested applications for the HoloLens 2 across education, healthcare, automotive, manufacturing, aerospace and aviation that are suited to enhanced remote collaboration.

HoloLen 2

Is there an app store for HoloLens 2 applications?

Yes, the Microsoft Store includes a dedicated section for HoloLens 2 applications, making it easy for users to discover and download compatible apps.

What accessories are available for the HoloLens 2?

Accessories for the HoloLens 2 include optional head straps, carrying cases, and replacement parts to enhance user comfort and device durability.

Can I use the HoloLens 2 for educational purposes?

Yes, the HoloLens 2 has applications in education, offering immersive learning experiences and interactive educational content.

How does the HoloLens 2 handle 3D audio?

The HoloLens 2 includes spatial audio capabilities, providing users with a realistic and immersive audio experience that corresponds to the placement of holograms in the environment.

Can I watch movies or videos on the HoloLens 2?

Yes, the HoloLens 2 can support video playback, allowing users to watch movies and videos in a mixed reality environment.

What is the HoloLens 2 Development Edition?

The HoloLens 2 Development Edition is a package designed for developers, including additional tools, resources, and access to Azure services for creating mixed reality applications.

What display type has the HoloLens got?

Optics: See-through holographic lenses (waveguides)
Resolution: 2k 3:2 light engines
Holographic density: >2.5k radiants (light points per radian)
Eye-based rendering: Display optimisation for 3D eye position

What Sensors has HoloLens 2 got?

Head tracking: 4 visible light cameras
Eye tracking: 2 IR cameras
Depth: 1-MP Time-of-Flight (ToF) depth sensor
IMU: Accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer
Camera: 8-MP stills, 1080p30 video

What audio specification has HoloLens 2 got?

Microphone array: 5 channels
Speakers: Built-in spatial sound

What human tracking has HoloLens 2 got?

Hand tracking: Two-handed fully articulated model, direct manipulation
Eye tracking: Real-time tracking
Voice: Command and control on-device; natural language with internet connectivity
Windows Hello: Enterprise-grade security with iris recognition

What environment understanding does HoloLens 2 have?

6DoF tracking: World-scale positional tracking
Spatial Mapping: Real-time environment mesh
Mixed Reality Capture: Mixed hologram and physical environment photos and videos

What compute and connectivity has HoloLens 2 have?

SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 Compute Platform up to 2.9GHz
HPU: Second-generation custom-built holographic processing unit
Memory: 4-GB LPDDR4x system DRAM
Storage: 64-GB UFS 2.1
WiFi: Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac 2x2)
Bluetooth: 5
USB: USB Type-C

What Fit type?

Single size
Fits over glasses

What Software does HoloLens 2 have?

Windows Holographic Operating System
Microsoft Edge
Dynamics 365 Remote Assist
Dynamics 365 Guides
3D Viewer

What Power is designed into the HoloLens 2?

Battery life: 2–3 hours of active use
Charging: USB-PD for fast charging
Cooling: Passive (no fans)
Contains lithium batteries

Microsoft Lithium Ion PDS 07Nov23

Microsoft Phone Lithium Ion PDS 11.28.2017.pdf

Microsoft Lithium Battery UN 38.3 Test Summary 07Nov2023B.pdf

How does the HoloLens 2 handle spatial mapping?

The HoloLens 2 uses sensors to create a detailed spatial map of the environment, allowing holograms to interact realistically with physical surroundings - recognised by spatial anchoring.

Is there a limit to the number of holograms I can have in my holoLens 2 environment?

The HoloLens 2 can handle multiple holograms in the environment, but performance may vary depending on the complexity of the content and it’s poly count. This is also subject to the chosen application’s capabilities.

Can I use the HoloLens 2 without an internet connection?

Yes, the HoloLens 2 can function without an internet connection for certain applications, but some features may require online connectivity - for remote support and guided workflows.

What is the role of Azure Mixed Reality Services in HoloLens 2?

Azure Mixed Reality Services provide cloud-based support for spatial anchor placement and other collaborative features in HoloLens 2 applications.

How does the HoloLens 2 handle multi-user experiences?

The HoloLens 2 supports multi-user experiences, enabling multiple users to interact with shared holographic content in the same physical space.

Can I connect the HoloLens 2 to my computer?

Yes, the HoloLens 2 can be connected to a computer for development and content deployment purposes.

What sensors are included in the HoloLens 2?

The HoloLens 2 includes eye-tracking, camera, depth sensors and IMU (inertial measurement unit).

Does the HoloLens 2 support hand tracking?

Yes, the HoloLens 2 supports hand tracking, allowing users to interact with holograms using natural hand gestures.

Can I use gestures to interact with holograms on the HoloLens 2?

Yes - the HoloLens 2 is capable of asset manipulation through the use of hand tracking with digital assets including holograms.

How does the eye-tracking feature work on the HoloLens 2?

The HoloLens 2 has built-in eye-tracking technology, enabling more natural interactions by detecting where the user is looking and adjusting holographic content accordingly.

What is the battery life of the HoloLens 2?

The battery will last between 2-3 hours of active use, with up to 2 weeks of standby time available.

Is the HoloLens 2 compatible with third-party applications?

Yes, developers and organisations can create and deploy third-party applications on the HoloLens 2 using the Microsoft Mixed Reality platform, or built with the Mixed Reality Tool Kit (MRTK) open source framework.

What is the resolution of the HoloLens 2 display?

The HoloLens 2 features a high-resolution display (2880x1406), providing a clear and detailed mixed reality experience for users.

Can I use the HoloLens 2 for virtual reality (VR) applications?

No,The HoloLens 2 is a Mixed Reality device, which can be used with Mixed Reality applications.

What programming languages are supported for developing HoloLens 2 apps?

Developers can use languages such as C# and C++ along with the Unity or Unreal Engine to create applications for the HoloLens 2.

Can I use the HoloLens 2 for remote collaboration?

Yes, the HoloLens 2 supports remote collaboration features, allowing users to share holographic experiences with others, using Microsoft’s Dynamics Remote Assist licensing for use inside Microsoft Teams.

What types of gestures are supported by the HoloLens 2?

The HoloLens 2 recognises various gestures, including tap, air tap, pinch, and grab, providing a rich and intuitive interaction experience.

What nausea issues can you get with HoloLens 2?

The HoloLens 2 is an early AR device. The displays on the HoloLens 2 are simple waveguide displays with a fixed focus of approximately two meters. Because of the fixed focus, the displays exhibit the Vergence-Accommodation Conflict, which is an unpleasant visual sensation for the viewer.

^[7]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vergence-accommodation_conflict

What were the upgrades from HoloLens 1 to HoloLens 2?

Improvements over the previous model[edit]

Microsoft highlighted three main improvements made to the device: immersiveness, ergonomics and business friendliness.^[11]^[12]

HoloLens 2 has a diagonal field of view of 52 degrees, improving over the 34 degree field of view (FOV) of the first edition of HoloLens, although Karl Guttag states that it offers less than 20 pixels per degree of resolution^[13] (despite Microsoft's claim that it would keep a resolution of 47 pixels per degree^[14]^[15]).

Holographic Processing Unit (HPU) 2.0 improvements compared to the HPU 1.0:^[8]

1.7x compute
2x effective DRAM bandwidth
Improved hologram stability
New hardware accelerated workloads such as eye tracking, fully articulated hand tracking, semantic labeling, spatial audio and JBL filter

What Major differences would you see with Magic Leap 2 over HoloLens 2?

There are significant differences highlighted below:

1. Weight the HoloLens 566g Magic Leap 260g

2. The Design - HoloLens 2 single headset , Magic Leap 2 Headset, compute pod and hand controller.

3. Field of View - Magic Leap 2 70% Diagonal field of View V HoloLens 2 - 52%

4. Compute Power HoloLens 2 Max 2.9GHz , Magic Leap 2 - 3.95GHz

5. Control Inputs

HoloLens 2 - 3 Types - Hand gesture, Voice control, Eye Tracking (same with Magic Leap 2)

However the Magic Leap 2 has a hand controller and Head posture control.

What Factors would make you cautious about HoloLens 2?

It has been widely reported that Microsoft Laid of the Support team for HoloLens 2 in January 2023

Microsoft HoloLens-redundancies

Major Military Contract Issues

Military Contract Issues

What Steps would you take in evaluating Augmented Reality solutions?

Firstly I'd ascertain which of the Technical capabilities I actually needed for my intended use case with a test drive of the alternative solutions?

Do I need to see what the viewer sees?

Do I need Software to support the Augmented Reality Device to carry the digital data?

I'd Understand the differences between Assisted reality and Augmented Reality technology, which are broadly the former is guiding you with digital advice whereas the later you are heavily reliant on it?

Secondly I'd understand the budget/cost required as some headsets are $700 other tip in at $3,370.

Thirdly I'd evaluate what savings in productivity or cost i'm going to achieve so that I can internally argue the return on investment.

Fourth, I'd prepare my return on investment case to go with the sign of request to justify it.