Microsoft puts an end to its mixed reality plans – Microsoft

Microsoft has announced the end of support for all relevant systems and the feature will soon be removed from future versions of Windows. This feature, along with the Mixed Reality Portal and Windows Mixed Reality for Steam VR app, has been added to Microsoft’s list of now-discontinued Windows features.

Microsoft launched Windows Mixed Reality in 2017, marking the company’s entry into the virtual reality market, where it competed with other major players like HTC and Oculus, which is now part of Meta.

The platform has served as a gateway to a variety of virtual reality experiences, including games and apps. Microsoft’s HoloLens was one of the devices compatible with this platform, while other tech giants like Acer, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, HP, and Samsung have released mixed reality headsets that work with Microsoft’s system. Although Windows Mixed Reality has been removed, HoloLens 2, which is aimed at enterprise users, appears to be unaffected. Earlier this year, Microsoft released a free Windows 11 upgrade and several improvements to the specific system worth $3,500.

However, Microsoft is slowly scaling back its VR activities. Alex Kipman, head of the HoloLens project, left the company last year after allegations of sexual harassment. Microsoft subsequently cut 10,000 jobs, with many of the layoffs affecting employees working on mixed reality projects, including the now-defunct AltspaceVR app.

However, Microsoft remains committed to exploring other uses for virtual reality. A typical example of this is Microsoft Mesh, which will soon allow colleagues to interact in a virtual environment without the need for headsets. In addition, through a partnership with Meta, Microsoft has begun allowing users of Quest systems to use Office applications and access the Xbox Cloud Gaming platform.