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Microsoft is discontinuing its HoloLens 2 headset, with no indication of a replacement coming anytime soon.
The company’s second-generation augmented reality headset launched five years ago and has a price tag of $3,500 which is the same as Apple’s Vision Pro.
Microsoft is now telling its partners and customers that this is the last chance to buy the device before stock runs out.
In an email sent to The Verge, Microsoft cloud communications general manager Craig Cincotta writes:
“Microsoft is no longer producing Microsoft HoloLens 2, and we have signaled a last time to buy for customers and partners. Support for HoloLens 2, including security updates will end on December 31, 2027.
“We will continue to invest in mixed reality opportunities with first-party software solutions and services, partnering with the broader mobile phone and mixed reality hardware ecosystem. In addition, we remain fully committed to the IVAS program with the US Department of Defense.”
It was in 2021 when the technology giant announced that the United States Army would work with them on the production phase of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program which is based on HoloLens and augmented by Microsoft Azure cloud services.
Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 headset to be discontinued at a time when competitors focus on headsets
While the company hasn’t officially put out their own statement or information, the discontinuation comes at a time when its competitors are honing in on headsets and augmented reality wearables.
From the beginning, Microsoft marketed its HoloLens 2 as being for enterprise customers as it included ‘enterprise-ready applications to increase user accuracy and output.’ They also launched an ‘Industrial Edition’ that was designed and tested “to support regulated environments such as clean rooms and hazardous locations.”
While the launch went relatively smoothly from the outside looking-in, some struggles have been apparent over the last couple of years. It was in 2022 when the former HoloLens boss Alex Kipman departed the company.
Later, in February of 2023, Microsoft laid off some employees working on its HoloLens, along with other projects.
It’s not clear if the company will eventually bring back the headset or if they’ll produce a third version.
Featured Image: Via Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 page
