HoloLens Development Edition, costing $3,000, will be available for delivery in early 2016. Microsoft, maker of the technology, announced the price and delivery date on Thursday.
MiddayDaily reports that the highly anticipated virtual reality (VR) device would initially be available too app creators who could purchase the gadget through Microsoft's website. What would be sold would be similar to models revealed to the public a few months ago.
That means the Development Edition features an x86 chip, 802.11ac, 60Hz of rate and 2GB of RAM.
The daily notes that given the price tag, the HoloLens is not a simple user-oriented mass-marketed device. It is double the cost of Google Glass designer version of $1,500. However, because it includes a customized "holographic holding device," MiddayDaily believes the high cost we be acceptable and understood by buyers.
The high cost is Microsoft's way of saying that it is not yet ready to mass-market the HoloLens in an attempt to avert consumer dissatisfaction.
This quarter, Microsoft would reach out to developers through a tour across the U.S. and Canada where they would have a first-hand try of the HoloLens, according to Engadget. The meeting with the Microsoft team behind the VR device to teach them how to create holographic experiences.
The tour starts on Oct. 13 with Seattle as the first stop. It would be followed by Toronto, Salt Lake City, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Atlanta and Austin. There is a dedicated Microsoft site for the event.