MacVoices #24003: MVL - Microsoft Sunsets HoloLens: Coincidence?

Microsoft announces the sunsetting of their HoloLens Mixed Reality Headset just as Apple readies the Vision Pro. Strange timing? Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Web Bixby, Brittany Smith, Jeff Gamet, Ben Roethig, and Jim Rea dive in with their thoughts on why and why not, and what the Vision Pro needs to succeed.

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

0:00:00 Microsoft's Decision to Sunset Mixed Reality Headset
0:00:29 Windows Mixed Reality Deprecation and Surprise
0:01:17 The Impact on the Mixed Reality Market
0:01:36 Microsoft's Shift to AI and Abandoning VR
0:03:11 Microsoft's History of Misreading the Market
0:05:42 Microsoft's hesitation in fully committing to a product.
0:07:20 Speculations on Microsoft's strategy and internal dynamics.
0:10:05 A Curious Idea Arises
0:10:11 Ben's Intriguing Perspective on Market Share and Foundations
0:10:40 Windows vs. Other Operating Systems
0:11:51 Transition to VR Headset Discussion
0:11:58 Virtual Reality Headsets: A Solution in Search of a Problem?
0:14:32 Microsoft 365: More Business-oriented than Consumer-focused
0:15:43 Apple's Slow Production and Supply Constraints
0:17:14 Consumer Perception: Gaming vs. Other Applications
0:19:13 Interest from Professionals Needing Large Virtual Desktops
0:21:55 Considering the practicality of using headsets
0:23:02 Exploring the potential applications but uncertain about logistics
0:24:38 Medical and technological obstacles to overcome
0:25:12 The Cost of the New Device

Links:

Microsoft is killing its Windows VR platform — announces deprecation of 'Windows Mixed Reality'
https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/microsoft-is-killing-its-windows-vr-platform-announces-deprecation-of-windows-mixed-reality

Guests:

Web Bixby has been in the insurance business for 40 years and has been an Apple user for longer than that.You can catch up with him on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him on Twitter, by email at embolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, and on his blog, Trending At Work.

Jeff Gamet is a technology blogger, podcaster, author, and public speaker. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and the TextExpander Evangelist for Smile. He has presented at Macworld Expo, RSA Conference, several WordCamp events, along with many other conferences. You can find him on several podcasts such as The Mac Show, The Big Show, MacVoices, Mac OS Ken, This Week in iOS, and more. Jeff is easy to find on social media as @jgamet on Twitter and Instagram, jeffgamet on LinkedIn., @jgamet@mastodon.social on Mastodon, and on his YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/jgamet.

David Ginsburg is the host of the weekly podcast In Touch With iOS where he discusses all things iOS, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and related technologies. He is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users. Visit his YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/daveg65 and find and follow him on Twitter @daveg65 and on Mastodon at @daveg65@mastodon.cloud

Jim Rea built his own computer from scratch in 1975, started programming in 1977, and has been an independent Mac developer continuously since 1984. He is the founder of ProVUE Development, and the author of Panorama X, ProVUE's ultra fast RAM based database software for the macOS platform. He's been a speaker at MacTech, MacWorld Expo and other industry conferences. Follow Jim at provue.com and via @provuejim@techhub.social on Mastodon.

Ben Roethig has been in the Apple Ecosystem since the System 7 Days. He is the a former Associate Editor with Geek Beat, Co-Founder of The Tech Hangout and Deconstruct and currently shares his thoughts on RoethigTech. Contact him on Twitter and Mastodon.

Brittany Smith is a trained cognitive neuroscientist who provides ADD/ADHD, technology, and productivity coaching through her business, Devise and Conquer, along with companion video courses for folks with ADHD. She's also the cofounder of The ADHD Guild, a community for nerdy folks with ADHD. She, herself, is a self-designated "well-rounded geek". She can be found on Twitter as @addliberator, on Mastodon as @addliberator@pdx.social, and on YouTube with tech tips.

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00:00:00 Microsoft's Decision to Sunset Mixed Reality Headset 00:00:28 Windows Mixed Reality Deprecation and Surprise 00:01:16 The Impact on the Mixed Reality Market 00:01:35 Microsoft's Shift to AI and Abandoning VR 00:03:10 Microsoft's History of Misreading the Market 00:05:42 Microsoft's hesitation in fully committing to a product. 00:07:19 Speculations on Microsoft's strategy and internal dynamics. 00:10:05 A Curious Idea Arises 00:10:11 Ben's Intriguing Perspective on Market Share and Foundations 00:10:40 Windows vs. Other Operating Systems 00:11:51 Transition to VR Headset Discussion 00:11:58 Virtual Reality Headsets: A Solution in Search of a Problem? 00:14:32 Microsoft 365: More Business-oriented than Consumer-focused 00:15:42 Apple's Slow Production and Supply Constraints 00:17:13 Consumer Perception: Gaming vs. Other Applications 00:19:13 Interest from Professionals Needing Large Virtual Desktops 00:21:54 Considering the practicality of using headsets 00:23:01 Exploring the potential applications but uncertain about logistics 00:24:38 Medical and technological obstacles to overcome 00:25:12 The Cost of the New Device