Already bored of virtual reality? Microsoft says it's all about ‘mixed reality’ now
Mixed reality is the 'next frontier' and breaks down 'barriers between virtual and physical reality,' says Microsoft exec
Microsoft declared its Windows 10 operating system was the best place for "mixed reality" computing at the Computex IT trade show in Taiwan on Wednesday. But what is mixed reality?
Mixed reality is another name for augmented reality, which merges the real and virtual world using virtual reality (VR) technology. According to CCS Insight, a mixed reality headset would place virtual objects in the real world and allow users to interact with them through gestures and voice commands.
At the keynote speech on Wednesday, several Microsoft executives promoted Windows Holographic, a computer operating system which could help lead the way in mixed reality technology.
"Today we focused on the next frontier – mixed reality. Providing devices with the ability to perceive the world, breaking down the barriers between virtual and physical reality, is what we call mixed reality," Terry Myerson, executive vice president for Windows and Devices Group, said in a blog post on Wednesday published after the speech.
"Imagine wearing a VR device and seeing your physical hands as you manipulate an object, working on the scanned 3-D image of a real object, or bringing in a holographic representation of another person into your virtual world so you can collaborate."
Ben Wood, chief of research at market information provider CCS Insight, outlined the differences between mixed and virtual reality.