E3 2015: Microsoft HoloLens narrow field of view issues unlikely to see major improvement

One of the biggest criticisms of Microsoft's revolutionary HoloLens augmented reality headset is unlikely to be improved on before it goes on sale, the company has admitted.

HoloLens produces a hologram and augmented user interface over what the wearer can see in front of them, applying computer user interfaces to objects and surfaces in the real world, like walls and desks. But journalists who have used HoloLens found the field of view to be much narrower than Microsoft's simulations suggest.

Now, Microsoft executive Kudo Tsunoda has provided an update on how HoloLens will change before it goes on sale - but sadly the field of view is unlikely to improve.

Speaking on the Giant Bomb podcast at the E3 video game conference in Los Angeles, Tsunoda said: "The hardware isn't final so none of the things are completely done. I think you're never going to get to full peripheral field of view... But I wouldn't say it's going to be hugely noticeably either."

If the field of view isn't going to improve, then Microsoft needs to be very careful in how it presents HoloLens to the public through advertising and simulations. Google made the mistake of making Glass look better than it ever was, leaving wearers disappointed the first time they tried on the £1,000 headset.

The hardware was shown off by Microsoft both at its Build conference in April and E3 in June, and although claimed to not be final, it closely resembles a finished product and not an early prototype, suggesting HoloLens could go on sale sooner than expected.

Trying HoloLens at Build, IBTimes UK's David Gilbert had the following to say: "The intuitive control system, immersive sound and high resolution graphics make the HoloLens a hugely compelling prospect. The limited field of view was something I hadn't considered previously and it certainly means HoloLens is limited in what it can do.