At Wednesday’s Windows 10 Creators Update event, Microsoft introduced a host of new software and hardware aimed at bringing more 3D and creativity to the Windows 10 ecosystem. Although the company introduced its own all-in-one PC, the Surface Studio, aimed at creative professionals, there was plenty of room for its manufacturing partners to jump on board and leverage the new technologies.
Hewlett-Packard has been one of Microsoft’s more solid original equipment manufacturers over the years, embracing various initiatives like the Tablet PCs that preceded today’s modern 2-in-1s and then being quick offer machines that leverage Windows 10. Now, HP has expressed its explicit intent to make good use of the new 3D technologies coming in the Windows 10 Creators Update, in a press release published after Microsoft’s event.
The company specifically called out millennials in outlining the growing importance of collaboration and creativity in today’s workforce. According to HP, 3D will be an increasingly important element in how creators and makers use technology and the company is looking forward to collaborating with Microsoft on new products and solutions.
HP is implementing a “Blended Reality” strategy that will leverage Microsoft’s Windows Holographic platform by merging mixed reality with the real world. HP is looking forward to leveraging Windows 10 Creators Update on their hardware across the entire spectrum of what is possible with 3D technology, from HP’s Jet Fusion 3D printing solution to its Sprout all-in-one device that offers innovative input of its own to the relatively low-cost virtual reality headsets announced at Microsoft’s event.
Those VR head-mounted displays (HMD) will utilize technology designed for Microsoft HoloLens to avoid the requirement for external tracking hardware that drives up the prices of VR systems. Along with Windows Holographic, the technology removes physical boundaries to enable six degrees of freedom. The VR headsets rely on Windows Holographic running on a Windows 10 PC, such as HP’s Omen X VR backpack that allows users freedom of movement.
HP’s VR solutions will start at the same $300 price point that Microsoft announced at their event. The products are targeted for release in time to support Microsoft’s Windows 10 Creators Update release in early 2017. Clearly, OEMs like HP are following Microsoft’s lead in leverage new 3D technologies, much like they expanded the Windows 10 PC ecosystem by releasing increasingly powerful and high-quality 2-in-1 devices.
