Microsoft Hololens - Windows Mixed Reality headset

For the first time in over three years, Microsoft will be holding a press conference at Mobile World Congress. No, it’s not about a Surface Phone or a new Surface Pro. It is widely believed that this conference will be the stage for the unveiling of the next generation of its HoloLens mixed reality headset.

Falling on the very first day of the MWC in Barcelona, you’ll be able to watch it live at 12 p. m. ET on Sunday, February 24. That’s 9 a.m. PT and 11 a.m. CT.

In the lead up to Mobile World Congress, Alex Kipman, the inventor of HoloLens, posted an intriguing but cryptic teaser on his Twitter account. Though the 42-second long video doesn’t go into specific details, it provided a peek at what is believed could be a new processor and carbon-fiber materials on board the new headset. Similar to the previous marketing for Microsoft’s Surface devices, it includes animations of metal ice cubes melting and small optical fibers weaving together into one larger piece. Initial media invites for the Microsoft press conference never mentioned HoloLens, but Kipman’s teaser adds some assurance that it will be discussed.

We also expect that the video likely is hinting to a new A.I. co-processor for machine learning which Microsoft previously confirmed would be powering the next HoloLens. In addition, based on previous rumors, it is also believed that the next generation HoloLens could be thinner, lighter, and come with a larger field of view. The next HoloLens might also be cheaper, as the current headset is priced a $3,000 and is currently only used in large companies, and even with the U.S. Navy.