Developers: Get Ready for Mixed Reality on Windows 10

It is not too late to start working on Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps for Windows 10 and the upcoming Windows Mixed Reality experience.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

June 6, 2017

2 Min Read
Developers: Get Ready for Mixed Reality on Windows 10
Microsoft

Originally announced in October 2014 alongside the Windows 10 Creators Update, Windows Mixed Reality is yet to fully arrive on the platform.

Most of the software elements are in the operating system at this point with the Creators Update release back in April and it now looks like the new virtual reality, or as Microsoft calls them - immersive - headsets will be available this upcoming holiday season.

Two of them, the headsets from Acer and HP, are already available for developers to pre-order from the Microsoft Store online and will allow interested developers to get started on their immersive UWP apps. These headsets are $299 and $329 respectively.

While you are waiting on the hardware to arrive you can go ahead and check out Microsoft's extensive developers portal for Windows Mixed Reality and begin your own app work in preparation for these headsets mainstream arrival later this year.

By the way, just for clarity on the name of this feature in Windows 10, I wrote this the other day on SuperSite: Windows and it should help you understand what this feature is according to Microsoft.

"The name Windows Mixed Reality, what Microsoft is calling the capability in Windows 10, actually comes from the spectrum of use intended within this subsystem of Windows 10 from HoloLens (the Mixed Reality part) to the HMDs (the Virtual Reality part)."

As for the content that is available on the Windows Mixed Reality developers site, you will find five main areas.

-- Academy (Code Examples; Coding Tutorials; Guest Lectures)

-- Design (Design Guides; Building User Interfaces; Interactions and Input)

-- Development (Development Guides; Learning the Technology; Understand the Science)

-- Community and Support (Join Open Source Projects; Forums; Attend Events and Meetups)

You will also find all of Microsoft recent mixed reality related news at this portal along with an option to sign up for Microsoft's Mixed Reality news and updates.

There is a tremendous amount of opportunity here and it is quickly coming down the road to reach reality, no pun intended, so will you be ready for this next stage in user interaction with our computers?

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But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

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About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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