Microsoft has recently announced a major shift from its focus on augmented reality (AR), marking the end of an era for the company’s plans to shape the landscape of this cutting-edge technology.

The tech giant led the category for years with its AR products like HoloLens, aiming to revolutionize the manufacturing, gaming, and healthcare sectors with groundbreaking innovation.

However, the recent announcements have left the competition to a few players in the field. Now, the question is: who will lead the future of augmented reality?

What Really Happened?

Microsoft recently announced the discontinuation of its HoloLens 2 mixed reality headset. The HoloLens was one of the most high-profile and game-changing headsets, featuring innovative elements and enterprise applications for manufacturing, military and medical training.

The HoloLens 2, launched in 2019, included improvements in resolution and eye and hand tracking. However, despite these advancements and years of market dominance, the company’s AR category faced intense competition from Meta, Apple, and Magic Leap.

Moreover, several challenges, such as limitations in display quality, a niche market, and high development costs, led to this decision. The company has confirmed that software support will be available until the end of 2027.

Who’s Gonna Take the Lead?

While Microsoft dominated the AR category for years, it is now time for other players to step into the game and compete for the lead. Many tech companies and startups are already pushing the boundaries of this cutting-edge technology, each with a unique approach to integrating augmented reality.

Other top alternatives to Microsoft HoloLens that offer a competitive price point are discussed here.

Apple – A Serious Contender in the AR Space?

The tech giant Apple is always in the news for its cutting-edge innovations. This time, it is the talk of the town with the launch of its highly anticipated AR headset – the Apple Vision Pro. The headset seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world.

It features Apple’s first 3D camera, allowing users to capture spatial photos and record spatial videos in 3D. With a two-hour battery life, the Apple Vision Pro enables users to connect and collaborate in real time, while its Spatial Audio feature keeps users aware of their surroundings.

The headset is on the pricier side and has a unique physical appearance compared to other similar devices on the market. Some of the key features of the Apple Vision Pro include:

• Custom micro-OLED display with 23 million pixels
• Precise eye tracking
• Real-time 3D mapping
• Unique dual-chip performance
• Apple’s first 3D camera

Meta – Creating an Entire Metaverse Ecosystem

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has long leveraged the potential of virtual reality while not overlooking the benefits of augmented reality. The company is competing in the AR space with its mixed-reality headset series – the Quest.

At consumer-friendly prices, Meta’s Quest models (Quest Pro, Quest 3, and Quest 3S) deliver immersive mixed-reality experiences, allowing users to move freely with their wireless design. All models feature Touch Plus controllers for hands-free navigation.

The company’s latest launch, the Quest 3S, offers improved resolution and colour compared to its predecessors. Loading times are faster, visuals are more vivid, and performance is enhanced, thanks to the Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 chipset.

The Quest 3S includes:

• 96° by 90°field of view
• 20 pixels per degree
• Fresnel lens with IAD
• 4324 mAH battery

DigiLens ARGO – Smart Glasses with Waveguide Technology

Another strong contender in the AR landscape is DigiLens ARGO. It is an industrial-grade wearable computer featuring high-quality Crystal30 waveguide technology.

The device boasts a small footprint and minimal eye glow for enhanced user-friendliness in industrial settings.

The ARGO smart glasses offer an efficient display, photorealistic image quality, and a rugged design built to withstand harsh working environments.

Its applications span across healthcare, logistics, industrial sectors, and military and defence. At a more affordable price point, the ARGO headset provides multiple benefits, such as optimized costs, improved worker safety, seamless remote collaboration, and increased productivity.

Key features include:

• 48MP OIS/EIS Camera
• Crystal30 Waveguides
• Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Platform
• EnLiten 30 Projectors

The Future of AR Landscape

Many technology giants are poised to compete in the space with their innovative mixed-reality headsets, aiming to shape the future of augmented reality.

The potential is enormous, with ample room for improvement, upgrades, and the introduction of radically innovative features. We have yet to experience what’s next in the field of AR, especially with the most competitive player exiting the space.

Let’s Step into the Future with Us!

Experience a seamless blend of the physical and digital worlds with DigiLens ARGO. Our innovative, cutting-edge features make it ideal for industrial and corporate environments, enabling businesses to transition fully into the digital realm.

Discover a world of endless opportunities here.