Tag: microsoft

Microsoft’s augmented reality HoloLens headset space mission destroyed

| June 29, 2015

NASA had been sending the device up to the astronauts to provide assistance with a spectrum of tasks.

The new “Project Sidekick” experienced a massive setback on Sunday when the SpaceX Falcon rocket exploded shortly after takeoff.  The intention of the project was to give astronauts a hand by way of augmented reality as NASA sends the HoloLens from Microsoft up into space in order to let people on the ground guide the astronauts through a variety of different complex tasks. It is believed that the devices will be sent again on a later rocket transport.

This use of AR technology could help to simplify the completion of difficult tasks while in orbit.

The idea is to use the HoloLens augmented reality headset to be able to provide the astronauts with additional information directly from people on the ground. This could be very helpful to the astronauts who will not only be able to hear instructions or see text but also see indications as to precisely what buttons they should be pressing, for example. It will also provide the people on the ground with a much clearer understanding of the perspective of the astronauts while they are actually completing the tasks in question.

The first pair of the augmented reality headsets were to be sent to the astronauts on Sunday with a supply rocket.

The two AR mobile gadgets were added to the resupply mission that was flown into space by the private rocket company called SpaceX. Unfortunately, that rocket exploded and was completely destroyed shortly after liftoff. Those who use the wearable technology will be able to see a display of virtual images in an overlay on top of the actual world around them. This device was unveiled by Microsoft as a part of the launch of their next operating system, Windows 10.

According to the International Space Station (ISS) program, Sam Scimemi, “HoloLens and other virtual and mixed reality devices are cutting edge technologies that could help drive future exploration and provide new capabilities to the men and women conducting critical science on the International Space Station.”

He also went on to say that the augmented reality technology may have the ability to “empower future explorers requiring greater autonomy on the journey to Mars.” NASA and the ISS have already been testing out the AR technology devices on the Weightless Wonder C9 jet in order to simulate its performance in a microgravity environment similar to that of the space station.

Microsoft is using mobile apps to draw users

| June 11, 2015

The company is hoping to win over device owners with a spectrum of Android and Apple compatible applications.

Microsoft has been releasing a range of different mobile apps that are compatible with Android and Apple iOS operating systems in order to help to draw the attention and usage of those device users.

The company has been acquiring startups to help to give its own mobile application offerings a boost.

For example, Microsoft recently purchased a tech startup from Germany called 6Wunderlkinder. Now, it is able to offer mobile apps that compete with some of the core applications that had previously been used on other operating systems. For example the Keep app on Android or the Reminders application on Apple now has competition through the Wunderlist that was created by the newly acquired company.

That is only one example of several moves that Microsoft is making in order to draw users for its mobile apps.

Mobile Apps - MicrosoftAt the same time, the company continues to promote its own Windows operating system for mobile devices. That said, in the grand scheme of things, the number of consumers who are actually purchasing devices based on that OS are quite low compared to the number of people who are using Android and iOS based gadgets. Therefore, the company is ensuring that it will be able to appeal to a larger market by ensuring that its smartphone apps will run on the most popular platforms and not just its own.

The offerings from Microsoft include its Office programs for Android and iOS, which it created itself and released earlier in 2015. That said, it also has a calendar application called Sunrise, which was developed by a company that was purchased by the tech giant back in February. For its email application, it uses Accompli, which was the result of a purchase of another startup.

So far, the mobile apps that Microsoft has been offering – including its own and those developed by startups that it has acquired – have been receiving considerable praise from tech reviewers. It could be that the company may be starting to redefining its niche within the new device marketplace.