Microsoft's HoloLens Development Edition (Photo : Twitter)
Microsoft has launched a contest that will run from December 1, Tuesday until January, to develop an app idea for the HoloLens augmented reality (AR) device. Contestants are not required to submit any code, and instead of developing the app the winner's concept will be built by the OS giant's developers. The company's developers have also posted a video clip that shows a Halo game streamed from an Xbox One console to the AR headset.
Contest participants must submit their ideas before January 11 of next year. The winner's idea will be developed into an app by Microsoft designers, engineers, and artists. He or she will also contribute to events such as Q&A sessions, and weekly build reviews, according to PC World.
Microsoft has also released information about the development of HoloLens apps. Software will be universal, and can be run on Windows 10 smartphones, tablet computers, and PCs.
The HoloLens AR headset includes a unique set of Windows Holographic application program interfaces (APIs). These APIs are able to track various inputs, such as the wearer's gazes.
This year Microsoft has electrified AR fans with public demos that included an AR game featuring spider robots attacking a room. Maintaining high demand for the device will boost app development.
This week HoloLens developers started to publish short demo video clips on Twitter. One game featured in the clips was Halo 5: Guardians, which was streamed from the Xbox One game console, to a virtual screen hovering in a living room, according to The Verge.
The video clips show that the HoloLens AR headset is a game-changer. That is because it can support a complex first-person shooting game.
In addition, the field of vision for HoloLens prototypes was very narrow. However, in the videos the developers used special camera tech to see a full field of view.
Here is an E3 HoloLens demo featuring Halo 5:
