Could the Microsoft Hololens Kill the Stadium?
Augmented reality transforms living rooms into luxury sporting boxes
A new concept video just unveiled by Microsoft explores what the cutting edge of football and augmented reality may bring. As it continues to develop and refine the technologies that power HoloLens, its AR headset for both developer and commercial clients, the company still needs to keep the hype alive. Microsoft needs to build out and cultivate its market for the product while its in development. In a spot promoting the device, Microsoft paints fans a picture of the future of live sporting events.
As the Microsoft HoloLens is the first fully untethered, holographic computer that enables high-definition holograms to integrate with your entertainment, media and television, this speculative video serves a couple of purposes. First, it’s meant to amp up consumers for game day. Second, its true purpose is to prime people for a new world, a world brimming with AR.
As depicted in the video released by Microsoft, users can use gestures to control the AR screen and to access game stats and other interactions. HoloLens boasts an interface where players burst through their walls, where players’ stats are easily accessible, and the experience of watching TV is changed.
Could something like this smash the profits of live event producers, sporting events and televised games? Gone are the days of sold out stadiums. Who likes the lines and the crowds anyway? As AR headsets transform your living room into your own luxury sporting box, could AR be better than the real thing?
Strangely, this video depicts a whole family wearing the headset. At the time, this seems unlikely at the current price point of $3,000. For now, only developers can order HoloLens, which will ship early this year. As far as when consumers will get access to HoloLens or live a life like in the scenario presented here, no one knows, yet, only time will tell.
Originally published at www.psfk.com on February 2, 2016.