Microsoft promising free Holographic update for Windows 10 PCs in 2017

VP of Windows and Devices at Microsoft Terry Myerson announced an ongoing partnership with Intel at IDF this week to include augmented or "mixed reality" applications as a free update for Windows 10 PCs. Called Windows Holographic, its concept was already made public earlier this year at Computex, but its vision and goals have been made clearer at IDF 2016 alongside its relationship with HoloLens.

Windows Holographic may launch alongside the next Redstone update for both consumers and businesses that is currently scheduled for early 2017. The platform will allow for users with compatible VR headsets to move in a mixed reality environment to interact with both 2D and 3D objects and applications as illustrated by the concept video below. Intel will be working closely with Microsoft on nailing down specifications and the hardware requirements for driving the graphics.

According to Myerson, an Intel NUC was able to run the the mixed reality demo in 90 FPS. A public release of the initial specifications for Windows Holographic is expected to be ready by December in time for the Windows Hardware Engineering Community (WinHEC) conference in China.

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