Microsoft has made its Hololens developer kit available for pre-order at a price of US$3,000 (€2,750, £2,150) ahead of the technology’s public release.

Shipping to qualified developers on 30 March, the technology will be used to create augmented reality (AR) apps, along with the additional components to enhance the technology further for its eventual commercial release.

“The Hololens is a really exciting piece of technology”, said Jay Short, business and sales director for leading emerging technology studio Inition, speaking to Attractions Management.

“The concept of AR is a juxtaposition between the real world and the virtual world so they’re two different dynamics. I’ve got more faith in AR than VR because it’s so much less intrusive.

“Using markers with AR you can create a 3D image from nothing. We did something for example with a pharmaceutical company for example where we created an AR instruction manual telling you all the different benefits of their new toothpaste and you can play around with a tooth bringing up information around it. The sort of companies that can use AR means it’s a huge opportunity and the Hololens will be the leader in that field.”

The device itself is still in the development phase with no set date for the public release. Even the beta release is limited, with only those in Microsoft’s Windows Insider programme able to apply for a maximum of two Hololens devices. In addition to the device itself, Microsoft is also releasing several “experiences” which it hopes will act as a creative spark for developers who have never used the medium before.