Virtual reality has been big news for the last few years- but have you ever heard of mixed reality? Microsoft has unveiled its Microsoft Mesh project at the Ignite 2021 Conference, which will be its first step into the world of mixed reality. 

So what is the difference between Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR)?

Virtual reality provides you with a completely immersive experience, aimed at shutting out the physical world. On the other hand, mixed reality aims to combine the physical world with elements of VR. The end result is technology that allows you to interact with the world around you, which would then translate to behaviour in the online world. 

So what is Microsoft Mesh?

Microsoft Mesh is one of the first mixed reality platforms that will be available to the consumer. The platform will be accessible by utilising the Hololens– a pair of virtual reality smart glasses that were developed by Microsoft- as well as via your mobile phones, tablets and computers.  

Microsoft Mesh allows users to hop into online virtual environments via the Hololens to collaborate with others. Unlike VR, this mixed reality based platform will allow you to interact with other users, just as you would in the physical world. You will be able to pass them objects such as a glass of (virtual) water and even shake hands.

Trailers for Microsoft Mesh show people who were collaborating on projects across continents, where they had Star Wars-style full body holograms of themselves projected into a room as if they were actually in the same room. These photorealistic holograms are customisable by users, allowing them to appear as different avatars, or as their real life selves.

Additionally, Microsoft Mesh will allow developers to customise the virtual environments. This means that you’ll be able to walk around a replica of places you’re familiar with, such as your office. 

So what’s the main advantage of Mesh?

While Microsoft Mesh lets you interact and communicate with people regardless of your geographical differences, the main advantage lies within the environment. At the Ignite 2021 conference, a trailer was shown to audiences demonstrating the potential of Microsoft Mesh to be used in the engineering and medical fields, helping to increase efficiency and make collaboration easier.

What is the release date of Microsoft Mesh?

There’s currently no official release date, although early reports suggest that Mesh could be released within a year of its announcement.