Microsoft and Qualcomm partner to accelerate AR and give hints to the HoloLens 3

Qualcomm and Microsoft enter a strategic partnership to develop custom chipsets enabling and further accelerating augmented reality devices like the HoloLens aiming to lead the ecosystem of AR.

Qualcomm and Microsoft collaborate to accelerate AR

During this year’s CES Qualcomm keynote, Qualcomm announced a partnership with Microsoft, to develop custom Snapdragon chipsets for AR devices: aiming to accelerate and expand Augmented Reality for both consumers and enterprises.

Namely, the strategic partnership is to further develop its presence in the upcoming Metaverse through lightweight AR devices. While the integration of the two platforms: Microsoft Mesh and Snapdragon Spaces™ XR developer platform, also ushers in ecosystem leadership for the two companies.

“Qualcomm Technologies’ core XR strategy has always been delivering the most cutting-edge technology, purpose-built XR chipsets and enabling the ecosystem with our software platforms and hardware reference designs. We are thrilled to work with Microsoft to help expand and scale the adoption of AR hardware and software across the entire industry.” As Hugo Swart, vice president and general manager of XR, Qualcomm says.

With Rubén Caballero, corporate vice president of Mixed Reality, at Microsoft adding, “With services like Microsoft Mesh, we are committed to delivering the safest and most comprehensive set of capabilities to power metaverses that blend the physical and digital worlds, ultimately delivering a shared sense of presence across devices. We look forward to working with Qualcomm Technologies to help the entire ecosystem unlock the promise of the metaverse.”

Custom chipsets and software collaboration indicate thin and light HoloLens 3

Both Microsoft and Qualcomm had yet to announce their in-house chips, so this strategic collaboration is a telltale sign that the thin and light AR segment will lead the smart glass space. Namely, indicating that the upcoming HoloLens 3 will be thin and lightweight.

Additionally, the software combination of the Microsoft Mesh design platform and Qualcomm’s XR developer platform, will result in both a design and developer utility set. Further optimized through the custom AR chips. 

Conclusion

Microsoft and Qualcomm partnering to collaborate on customized Snapdragon chipsets for AR devices should give the companies a competitive advantage leading to ecosystem control, AR adoption and Metaverse presence.

Furthermore, this partnership is a telltale sign that the next HoloLens 3 will be significantly more powerful, lightweight, and thin, featuring compelling developer and design use cases for enterprises.