Businesses to get HoloLens within the year - Microsoft

Demo of the holographic computer was hugely popular with partners at this year's WPC

Microsoft's highly anticipated HoloLens technology will be in the hands of businesses and developers within a year, the firm's chief executive Satya Nadella has confirmed.

Microsoft described HoloLens as a "see-through holographic computer". The kit allows users to see high-definition holograms in their real-world surroundings. The product was demoed at its Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) in Orlando last month and was a highlight for many partners who are keen to sell the technology.

In an interview with the BBC, Nadella gave details on the availability of the product for the first time.

"We will have developer versions of it first and then it will be more commercial use cases, then it will evolve," he said. "This is a five-year journey. We're looking forward to getting a [version one] out, which is more around developers and enterprises. And it is in the Windows 10 timeframe, which means it is within the next year."

Although the vendor talked up HoloLens' enterprise credentials, Microsoft has not given any more details about availability or its go-to-market strategy, so at this time, it is not known if or when the channel will be able to resell the technology.

When asked by CRN about its planned channel distribution strategy for HoloLens, Microsoft said it has "nothing to share".

HoloLens represents Microsoft's first foray into holographic technology. When it first dipped its toe in the tablet market in the form of its Surface device, it deployed a phased distribution strategy in a move it claims allowed it to get distribution right first time.

The strategy saw it sell the tablet direct for a few months before allowing a select number of hardware specialists sell it. Just last month - two years after it first launched - Microsoft announced it would widen distribution and make the tablet available to all resellers.