While both our hearts and wallets may be shattered by the news that the developer version of Microsoft’s HoloLens will cost nearly $3000 USD, a new hope has emerged from an unexpected source: ASUS.
The company, which as of Q3 2015 is the world’s 6th largest PC manufacturer, has confirmed that it is in talks with Microsoft and is considering producing its own version of the company’s HoloLens VR headset.
Should ASUS’ talks reach an agreement, the firm will be the first outside company to produce a version of Microsoft’s headset.
ASUS – widely known for producing affordable PCs – would presumably seek to create a more affordable version of HoloLens that would be available to the general public. Microsoft’s hope is for similar companies to adopt HoloLens as a technology alongside the company’s other exports, such as Windows.
ASUS’ CEO, Jonney Shih, is admittedly “still evaluating” the potential of offering augmented reality glasses under the ASUS banner.
Microsoft’s Executive Vice President, Terry Myerson, commented as well: “Everything we’re doing in hardware, we do with the mind of how do we grow the Windows ecosystem. That is why we’re investing to create a category.”
Myerson has thus far declined to offer comment when at what point Microsoft would consider selling a cheaper HoloLens device for a general audience.
Thus far, no official news has been confirmed from either camp; with Shih only leaving one cryptic comment: “Wait and see.”
What are your thoughts on ASUS potentially producing a version of HoloLens? Could this be the virtual reality fix the world is hankering for? Let us know in the comments below!
