Let’s face it, if you’ve not been living under a rock for the last year then you’ve probably heard about Microsoft’s augmented reality headset HoloLens. Much of the world might be entranced right now with a little AR game called Pokémon Go, but it was Microsoft’s demos of its own AR reality headset that really blew our minds back in 2015. What did we see back then? One thing was that augmented reality is a damn sight more exciting than merely hunting monsters in your granny’s back yard.

The only setback is that Microsoft has been slow to bring the headset to the mainstream, only offering it to selected developers and partners. NASA may have given it a spin and even accidently blown one of the headsets up in space, and its already being touted as the next great training tool for businesses, but to be fair we haven’t seen much of HoloLens at ground level.

That’s now changed as Microsoft is finally giving the public a chance to test out the headset. As of August 2^nd Microsoft stated that The HoloLens Developments Edition is now available to any business and developers in the USA and Canada. You can buy up to five of the $3,000 headsets at a time.

Microsoft is also releasing the Microsoft HoloLens Commercial Suite which will include Development Edition hardware and added security and device management features for enterprise. With the slogan “Ready for Business” Microsoft lists the specific enterprise features HoloLens will come with:

Kiosk mode. With HoloLens kiosk mode, you can limit which apps to run to enable demo or showcase experiences.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) for HoloLens. Your IT department can manage multiple HoloLens devices simultaneously using solutions like Microsoft InTune. You will be able to manage settings, select apps to install and set security configurations tailored to your organization’s need.

Identity. Azure Active Directory & next generation credentials with pin unlock.

Windows Update for Business. Controlled operating system updates to devices and support for long term servicing branch.

Data security. BitLocker data encryption and secure boot is enabled on HoloLens to provide the same level of security protection as any other Windows device.

Work access. Anyone in your organization can remotely connect to the corporate network through a virtual private network on a HoloLens. HoloLens can also access Wi-Fi networks that require credentials.

Windows Store for Business. Your IT department can also set up an enterprise private store, containing only your company’s apps for your specific HoloLens usage. Securely distribute your enterprise software to selected group of enterprise users.

Alex Kipman, one of the masterminds behind HoloLens, concludes the announcement of the release with a tip of the hat to developers who’ve created some groovy Universal Windows apps that work on HoloLens. Microsoft says, “This is only the beginning”. CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged the success of Pokémon Go, but one feels the boss has his mind on a grander vision in spite of the fact that the masses are easily enslaved to the simplest of things.

Photo credit: Microsoft Sweden via Flickr