This new leaked video shows the Microsoft HoloLens user interface in detail that we've never seen before. In fact, outside of official, scripted onstage demos, we've barely seen anything.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3_viBxB8Fc

Astronauts, Goats, and Abe Lincoln

The woman in the video introduces herself as Christina, the Community Manager for Actiongram, a movie making app that will work with the HoloLens device. This seems to be one in a series of tutorial videos for users, as Christina begins by saying, "by now you know how to fit the HoloLens correctly on your head, connect it to wifi, and log in to your Amazon account."

Then all of a sudden, we're seeing the HoloLens interface. It looks a lot like the Windows 10 interface with tiles. Christina exemplifies how to "air tap" (as in tap the air with your finger) to click and navigate the interface. This doesn't necessarily seem intuitive, and might take some getting used to. In addition, the navigation seems pretty precise, but Christina (or whoever is really behind the camera) is probably a practiced user.

In a slightly humorous moment, Christina instructs the user to wait until the Actiongram logo appears to move on. If you don't see it, you might have to go on a quick scavenger hunt around the room to find it. "Look up and down as well," she instructs. That logo could be hiding anywhere.

Once the app is ready, a screen comes up showing different characters that a user can input into their "mixed reality video creation." Some of these include:

  • Abraham Lincoln
  • A bulldog wearing reindeer antlers
  • A mime
  • Jupiter
  • An astronaut
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • A goat
  • A UFO

Christina chooses the astronaut (which is titled "Astro Moonbounce") and places him onto her couch. He stands heroically on the cushion. She looks away in order to position the character elsewhere so she can work on her creation undistracted. The next time we look at the astronaut, he's surrounded by a goat and a cloud.

"Continue watching the next video for more information on how to select and manipulate your holograms."

We would if we could, Christina. 

Into Developer Hands

Credit for finding the video goes to WalkingCat on Twitter. Microsoft doesn't seem to be ready to showcase the use of the HoloLens in public, yet. Until then, WalkingCat has gotten us the next best thing. The Microsoft HoloLens isn't going to be in consumer hands for some time. Developers, however, will soon be getting access to HoloLens development kits so they can start developing apps for the device.

In fact, just today Microsoft announced that developer applicants will start receiving invitations to purchase the Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition. This edition will begin shipping on March 30th. The company refers to this as a "monumental step forward."


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