Microsoft to ship Windows Holographic developer kits at GDC 2017

At  CES 2017 Microsoft showed off a raft of 3rd part VR headsets built to their reference design intended to run Windows Holographic, part of the Windows 10 Creators Update.

The devices were expected to start showing up in Q1 2017, and now, thanks to Vlad Kolesnikov, Senior Program Manager at Microsoft Windows & Devices Group, we know a bit more of when to expect them.

In a channel 9 video he reports that Microsoft will be distributing Windows Holographic developer kits during this year’s Game Developers Conference, which is the first week of March, allowing developers who apply to the program to start creating apps for the headsets. It is not clear when actual consumers will be able to get their hands on the devices, but this will presumably only after the Windows 10 Creators Update starts shipping in April 2017.

Given the venue it appears that the headsets will be aimed at the entertainment and gaming market, rather than being productivity devices like Microsoft’s own augmented reality headset.

The glasses should all be in the $300-$400 range and work with a $500 PC or the integrated graphics of a laptop, and the first should be arriving towards the end of Q1 2017.

See the video embedded below and read more about Windows Holographic here.