Microsoft now officially owns the patent for its own HoloLens augmented reality device. Nobody else can steal the design now that Redmond finally has the rights to the concept.
The Microsoft HoloLens has been introduced by the Xbox maker in the past few months. It became popular after it was demonstrated with Mojang's Minecraft video game.
It isn't the first time Redmond has filed a patent for such a device. In 2012, Microsoft filed a patent for the Xbox Projector eyewear. Two years before that, they also filed a patent for a gaming helmet, according to WinBeta.
Those curious about how the Microsoft HoloLens work are out of lock. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office does not reveal additional information about design patents. By law, they are prohibited from revealing information that may otherwise be stolen by other companies.
Microsoft also demoed the AR device recently with support for the Unity game engine, which is free to use for developers and students. There are also reports that it could be used with the new Office 2016.
Fans are excited about the Microsoft HoloLens. However, Digital Trends reported that it still does not have a release date or a price. The device is still under development.
Microsoft has taken the AR route instead of other tech giants who dived into developing a virtual reality device. Facebook bought Oculus VR and will be releasing the first consumer model of the Oculus Rift in 2016. Valve also developed the SteamVR/HTC Vive.
Can Microsoft pull off AR? Oculus VR has been progressing slowly but surely with its device. Popular YouTube stars such as PewDiePie have already tested the goggles in playing video games.
Apple might be joining on the competition. Patently Apple reported that the iPhone maker plucked an audio engineer from Microsoft's HoloLens development team. They also acquired Metaio, an expert in AR interfaces.
With Microsoft's design patent for the HoloLens made official, all's that left is the actual product. What are your expectations from the company's AR device? Let us know in the comments below.
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