The HoloLens 2 started shipping yesterday. Microsoft's new-and-improved AR headset costs the equivalent of five iPhone 11s ($3,500) and is catered to corporate customers.
What's new: The "mixed reality" device has more digital perception and interaction capabilities. Compared to the original HoloLens, it tracks more hand gestures, has 2x the field of view, and boasts "single-digit" lag time.
How it works: The headset's visor superimposes 3D digital objects on the real world, and lets you drag, drop, and resize those objects. You summon a menu by holding an arm palm-up and touching your wrist like Iron Man. Let's just say I tried sneaking a headset out of the demo in my pocket (it didn't work).
Also at the demo was the startup Spatial, which makes "shared augmented workplaces," aka Slack on steroids. Using a HoloLens 2 and Spatial's product, I met the avatar of someone who wasn't there, moved content around in 3D, and put a digital rover on Mars.
Takeaway: HoloLens 2 truly feels like the future—but one that's far out for non-Fortune 1,000 employees. If you work at a company that does remote assistance, virtual training, or visual 3D collaboration, you may be in luck.
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