Microsoft HoloLens SWOT Analysis

Microsoft HoloLens SWOT Analysis

As quickly as technology is advancing, it was only a matter of time before someone tried to directly integrate technology into reality. If you’re confused by this, it’s okay, things will make sense in a moment. Microsoft, through their HoloLens program, has taken the first leap of faith into the new and booming virtual reality sector of the tech industry. HoloLens is a tool which augments reality by embracing technology and specifically, virtual reality, as a way to fully integrate our lives with “real world, digital information.” The holograms which HoloLens uses to display this information blends finite reality with the potentially boundless world of virtual reality. 

Microsoft HoloLens, as hardware, is very much like a pair a snow goggles. Only, the lens is actually a screen which allows for the holograms to be viewed. The headset wraps around the user’s head, ensuring that as the user turns their head, the holograms and “real world” blend and synch perfectly.

The HoloLens is useful both for work, and also leisure applications. It is controlled via voice command so you can look cool and talk to yourself! The promotional video showed how an engineer can actually interact with space, essentially making it easier than ever, both from a monetary and time commitment perspective, to innovate. It synchs with applications like Skype, which allows collaboration to be easier than ever! I don’t want to underplay how much this could help certain industries with high “Research and Development” costs. This technology makes it incredibly easy to build, tear down and rebuild as it is all a hologram and requires no investment or clean up. Sadly, HoloLens is still in its development stages and there is no timeline for its release as of late.

As the picture above suggests, HoloLens will revolutionize how people are able to create and innovate.

At this point I think that it is appropriate to explore some of the more technical features of HoloLens which make it a very useful product. First, as we discussed HoloLens will greatly reduce the capital and time necessary for engineers and other technical workers to innovate. Second, HoloLens is fully backed by Microsoft Windows 10 which means that it will be very easy to integrate into homes as many already have Windows 10. In addition, being supported by a company like Microsoft ensures readily available customer service.

However, the HoloLens is not all awesomeness. For starters it will cost $3000. This will reduce the number of Early Adapters of the product. Additionally, based on initial reviews from beta-users, the HoloLens is reportedly “bulky” and fits poorly as the weight is largely distributed in the front of the headset. Both of these issues with the HoloLens may prevent adaption on a large scale. Microsoft may need to rethink their design to increase comfort for the user. As cool as it may be, if it hurts, people will not use it.

The HoloLens gives the virtual reality market opportunities to grow by making VR a part of everyday life for people. On major opportunity which HoloLens has is in the education system, particularly in technical schools or medical schools where students are doing hands-on learning. In this environment, HoloLens is extremely cost effective. Another opportunity for HoloLens is achieved through its relationship with Microsoft. Because Microsoft is so large and well respected, HoloLens has the opportunity to “partner” with many other companies with varying applications. If HoloLens can continue to add applications like Skype and maintain a marketplace for user app creation, then the opportunities are honestly endless for a device like this.

HoloLens will hopefully not fail like Google Glass did. That is one threat to its success. Essentially, Microsoft must make it more reliable than Google made “Glass” if they want to reach enough people. In addition, Microsoft will be facing a lot of competition and being the first one at market, while often an advantage, could be risky. As augmented reality becomes more and more valuable competition will increase and Microsoft needs to be careful with their technology so as to maintain their advantage. Lastly, I think the main barrier to my purchasing of the device, besides cost, would be the potential for motion sickness that oftentimes accompanies VR devices. Combating that will be a huge test for Microsoft.

                                                                                                            

I Had an iPod in 4th Grade

Today I do not consider myself to be very involved with the tech community. I typically hear about new products from friends who follow the industry more closely. However, that was not always the case. I was, in technical terms, an early adapter of the iPod. I bought an iPod in 2006, when I was in the 4th grade. I only every bought that iPod however, I never "upgraded" to the newer models or anything like that. I was content with my Nano until my parents bought me an iPhone when I was a Junior in High School.

But what happened between then and now? If anything, I listened to more music as I got older and actually use technology more now than I did then. It's not like I don't like technology, I think it just boils down to me not caring enough about having the "newest and best" when my current devive fulfils my needs sufficiently. This creed was true with iPods, as they were simpler technology with less uses, but as we move in the direction of more advanced devices capable of more things, I am not so sure that my stance will remain. After all, what am I supposed to do when my whole office one day has Google Glass and I don't?

I am slightly apprehensive of a future like this. Where reality and technology fuse in such a way where we associate one with the other so closely. I think that is a dangerous game to play. As my last blog pointed out, it is one thing for adults to adapt technology, but it is an entirely difference thing to have children grow up relying on it. Adults have outside knowledge, they have experiences and the ability to see from different perspectives. Children on the other hand are limited in their understanding of the world, they are cloistered intentionally to protect them, but technology has a way of making protecting them harder as they can use it to access things they shouldn't.

All this being said, it is still safe to say that I have not been disenfranchised from technology all together, but I have become more aware of it's potential negative influence. I would no longer consider myself to be an early adapter, but perhaps now even a late adapter or even lagger. That's not to say that in the future I may revert back to my 6th grade fascination with technology, but today, I could do will less of it.

iPad Binkies

   

The discussion surrounding technologies potential benefit to society is polarized. On one end, we constantly enjoy the benefits of a technologically advanced society. We have made amazing strides in medicine, communication, entertainment and education all with the help of technology. Our society is more often than not defined by these. We are distinct from many other countries on the planet because of our technology and have been able to maintain our position atop the global hierarchy in large part because of technology.  

On the reverse side, we are bombarded with technology everyday. Our lives are documented, preserved and presented with the help of technology. But the question which many have raised is has this gone too far? At what point do we step back from technology, where do we draw the line? 

In my opinion, we are letting technology impact too many areas of our daily lives. I am not arguing that we stop using technology, rather, I am proposing that people use technology as a crutch. From a social standpoint, we would do well to make a conscious effort to censor our own usage.

Ignoring the medical benefits, which I think clearly make technology an overwhelmingly positive thing, technology is eroding the foundation of our social nature. My main reasoning for this is the prevalent use of technology by children. I did not have a television until I was 7 years old. I played with blocks and PlayMobile. I played outdoors and regularly played team sports. Today, children are rarely given the chance to develop interpersonal skills. Technology is too enticing for them and parents view it as an easy way to entertain their kids. My best friends brother learned to read on an iPad, which honestly upset me. 

I think that a solution to this is that schools need to ban the use of technology in the classroom. Studies show that kids do not retain information as efficiently when they do not read from books or write on paper with pen. I don't understand why administrators push technology in schools so much. My best guess is that it makes it easier for them, which is a horrible reason.