Microsoft’s Holographic Keyboard is a revolution in the way we interact digitally – right in your living space. Using HoloLens 2, this innovation projects a touch-sensitive keyboard around you, seamlessly blending the physical and digital realms for typing without any physical hardware. The recent ‘Swipe to type’ feature allows users to type by swiping their fingers through the air to type as easily as you would on a smartphone. Embedded within the Windows Holographic Platform, these features showcase advanced gesture controls and robust administrative features, highlighting Microsoft’s drive to enhance digital interactions. With HoloLens 2, Microsoft isn’t just evolving with technology—it’s redefining how we interact with it, making our everyday digital tasks smoother and more intuitive.
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How does Microsoft’s Holographic Keyboard work?
This technological marvel by Microsoft utilizes AR/VR system to project a virtual keyboard which can be used just as the physical ones. The smart glasses would project a virtual workspace complete with a holographic keyboard which responds to the hand gestures for typing. The system can even provide haptic feedback, simulating the feeling of pressing a real key, allowing the user to type comfortably on any surface.
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Technology behind Microsoft’s Holographic Keyboard
The patent, US9766806B2, mentions head mounted displays (HMDs) for tracking hand movements which is not just limited to virtual reality.
Microsoft might be planning an AR/VR environment that includes:
- A sensor bar like the Kinect (used for motion tracking on Xbox) placed above a TV.
- A keyboard that appears virtually, allowing you to type from different positions.
- Wizards that appear to float in the real world using augmented reality.
- A holographic hand that represents your actual hand interacting with the virtual keyboard.
Microsoft has patented a holographic keyboard technology that tracks hand movements and projects a virtual keyboard where the user’s fingers hover, as disclosed in the patent, CN106537261B. The system also adjusts the keyboard position based on head movement, as described in the patent, US10444987B2, ensuring it remains visible despite head movements.
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As Microsoft pushes the boundaries with its holographic keyboard, it not only innovates but also shakes up the competitive landscape. Companies like Apple and Google, known for their user-friendly interfaces, may need to rethink their strategies as Microsoft integrates augmented reality into everyday computing. This leap in technology could spell the end for traditional keyboards, setting the stage for a thrilling race in tech innovation.
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