Asus HoloLens will run under Windows Holographic. (Photo : Twitter)
Asus plans to build their own HoloLens-style augmented reality headset with the help of Microsoft.
Earlier this week, Asus CEO Jonney Shih stated that the company is in talk with Microsoft executive vice president Terry Myerson regarding the creation of Asus HoloLens-like device. This is the first major sign of interest from a major PC hardware manufacturer, according to The Verge. This appears to be Microsoft’s first direct acknowledgement of Windows Holographic made by outside hardware makers, in this case is Asus.
The Windows Holographic is the same system that Microsoft's own HoloLens runs. Microsoft's goal is to create a whole new category of devices. It is not necessary that the device would be called HoloLens, but it will contain similar implementation of a virtual reality headset.
If Asus created its own version, it is not clear whether it would be aimed at general-purpose computing or folded into the company's Republic of Gamers (ROG) line, known for unusual products such as the water-cooled laptop. The computer hardware company’s decision on creating their own headset with Microsoft's software will be a big step in furthering consumer acceptance of this new category.
On the other hand, Microsoft is building its own HoloLens development kit device for software developers, priced at $3000 and slated to launch in the first quarter of 2016. It is still unknown whether ASUS would release a headset at the same time as Microsoft for consumers, SlashGear reported.
Other companies who made their own virtual reality headset are Oculus (Oculus Rift), HTC which collaborated with Valve (VIVE), Samsung (Samsung Gear VR), and Google (Cardboard).
