In the days following the Microsoft introduction of HoloLens, a prototype showing holographic personal display capabilities, many news outlets have released their reviews. The purpose of this CNET feature is to clarify the confusion many continue to have between Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. 

This feature’s explanations rarely use the terms AR and VR to compare how the two platforms are different. One of the points this piece makes clear is that Microsoft can integrate technologies from other groups to increase HoloLens functionality. For example, the HoloLens remote expert scenario is enabled by Skype. What if Microsoft were to release an SDK for Skype on Hands-free Displays? Then all the devices of that class would be able to support real time calling with those using Skype, whether on PCs, laptops, tablets or…other hands-free displays. Interoperability is not a concept frequently associated with these devices.

Caputer Labs has launched its first Kickstarter project to raise $100,000 necessary to complete the development of what it is calling an “AR helmet.” The product was being shown on the CES exhibition floor. The Kickstarter page for the project provides details of the proposed product which closely resembles the Seebright Wave, using mirrors and a smartphone mounted above the field of vision. 

As part of its Windows 10 roll out, Microsoft revealed to the public its latest hardware project and software platform: HoloLens. The HoloLens prototype is fully functional as attested by numerous reviews by technology media sources such as PC Magazine, Wired and Mashable.

According to this post on the eWeek portal, a small company started in summer 2014 was acquired by Intel for its unique eyewear technology. The four founders of this Swiss AR eyewear start up Composyt Light Labs worked with another Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) company—Lemoptix, which provides a laser microprojection technology—to develop a product that can be used with any prescription eyeglasses.

The ultra-miniature projector technology superimposes digital information in the user’s field of view. Financial details were not released.

In the latest episode of the AR in Your Future series, Christine Perey introduces a new framework for classifying use cases for Augmented Reality in medicine, healthcare and wellness. The webinar also features many examples of the state of the art for AR-assisted procedures, presents an assessment of the greatest barriers and most important standards groups. 

The consortium behind the FANCI, short for “Face and Body Analysis for Computer-Human Interaction”, has announced that it has received a grant from the European Union to develop a multi-modal platform for a highly-immersive human-machine interactive experience. The platform will integrate technologies provided by CEVA, HARMAN, KeyLemon, nViso, SoftKinetic and Tobii Technology into single reference architecture for embedded products. Partners will initially focus on the opportunities and use cases for the automotive industry.

The analyst team at Accenture that shared their views on wearable displays in enterprise have released their recommendations for reducing security risks associated with the product category.

In this blog post on the Accenture portal, Brent Blum and Karla Clarke highlight four areas to consider: data leaks, network security, personally identifiable information and violations of government-imposed privacy.

In their Best of CES 2015 blog post, the editors of the tech portal Ubergizmo featured only one personal display for Augmented Reality. The ORA-X prototype headphones with retractable display from Optinvent (company provides technical specifications in the press release) may be released later in 2015. Although positioned as a consumer product, the features could be attractive for enterprise users.

Compass Intelligence announced in this press release that it has selected Atheer Labs to win its 2015 “Enterprise Product Innovation of the Year” award. The company plans to introduce its integrated hands-free display hardware and gesture-control software solution for developers to create AR-assisted experiences for Field Services, Oil & Gas, Warehousing and Healthcare industries.

Sydney based architect Rana Abboud shares her views about the use of AR in architecture and construction in this article on InfoLink, the web site for Australian construction industry. The article also showcases six existing or emerging AR systems that can assist architects.