The next step in Windows technology is called Microsoft HoloLens - an augmented reality headset that uses holograms - operating system group technical fellow Alex Kipman announced today. HoloLens is not quite Microsoft's version of the Oculus Rift or Project Morpheus, but something different: a set of augmented reality goggles designed to work with applications like Skype as well as games like Minecraft.

Kipman unveiled the HoloLens, "the most advanced holographic computer the world has ever seen," onstage. The HoloLens uses see-through lenses, spatial sound to hear behind you and advanced sensors. It includes built-in high-end CPU and GPU and a third processor, a holographic processing unit. Holograms are universal apps and all universal apps can be made to work with Windows holographic, Kipman added. The headset is untethered does not include wires or require a connection to a phone or PC. Windows 10 includes a set of APIs devs can use to create holographic experiences.

Demonstrating more than virtual reality, a video shown during the presentation overlapped images with the real world; the clip included shots from the wildly popular game Minecraft

The WIRED article seems to imply that this device has outwardly-facing cameras that use Kinect-like technology to track the operator's hands, which is probably how they are able to let you interact with the projections without using some kind of wand or controller. I could see some "high-precision" gloves being an optional accessory for this that would include some kind of tracker markings to allow even more precise controls (maybe for medical applications or something)