Microsoft reveals detailed Windows Mixed Reality Holiday plans

In a blog post-Microsoft has posted a detailed update on the launch of their new Windows Mixed Reality ecosystem.

Part of their IFA 2017 announcement, Microsoft noted the advantages of their system as compared to other VR devices such as Oculus or HTC Vive.

These include being easy set up, due to the use of Inside-Out Tracking, which does not require “lighthouse beacons”, affordable headsets which at the $300 to $400 range are considerably cheaper than competitors, and which can be used on PCs as cheap as $499, and a range of hardware choices (though in practice they all hew very close to Microsoft’s own reference design.)

In the post, Microsoft revealed a new type of branding for PCs suitable for Windows Mixed Reality. These are Windows Mixed Reality PCs and Windows Mixed Reality Ultra PCs.

Windows Mixed Reality PCs will consist of desktops and laptops with integrated graphics. When plugged into these devices, the immersive headsets will run at 60 frames per second. Windows Mixed Reality Ultra PCs consist of desktops and laptops with discrete graphics. When plugged into these devices, the immersive headsets will run at 90 frames per second.

Content is of course king, and Microsoft said that they are working with a set of partners to bring immersive experiences to the Windows Store.  This included working with 343 Industries to bring future Halo experiences into mixed reality.

More importantly, however, Microsoft also revealed that Steam content will also run on Windows Mixed Reality headsets.

Microsoft is also making it easy for developers to create great content spanning from simple augmented reality to virtual reality and of course holograms.

See a taste of the new products in Microsoft’s video below:

https://youtu.be/QK_fOFDHj0g