Helmut Melzer
The cell phone is dead - at least in the future. Most technology experts agree on that. The reason: The user behavior of the future provides for a light, practical equipment that does not have to be held in your hands, which offers a multitude of advantages. One solution is the smartwatch. A far more logical smart glasses. Because, as currently Microsoft with its already available for software developers HoloLens shows, it will soon come to the merger of two concepts: The "augmented reality" (augmented reality), which is also already heavily used on the phone, complements images, Videos or maps with additional digitally overlaid information. Virtual reality lets you immerse yourself in a completely digital world via VR glasses.
If both concepts are used together - as "mixed reality" - unforeseen possibilities arise. The real environment in the view through corresponding glasses mingles with virtual elements and extended information. Voice control or a virtual interface can be used to call up all desired applications and information. Examples: An architect no longer needs a model, not even "real" plans. The planned building appears in the middle of the room, can be moved, changed. Or: a large number of devices, such as televisions and telephones, are no longer needed. At the touch of a button, you sit from one second to the next in a huge cinema room and watch the current blockbuster streaming. And the phone call of the future could soon look like this: Both interlocutors sit comfortably in an environment they generate and chat - as if they were actually in the same room.
HoloLens is the first device on the market. However, the "mixed reality" will only be suitable if further progress has been made in terms of miniaturization. Above all, a tiny, powerful battery is needed.
