On Wednesday, Microsoft announced that HoloLens, its self-contained holographic computer, is now available for preorder in Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, with devices starting to ship in late November. Today, HoloLens customers are developing solutions that are already having a positive impact on their business. These customers are the early adopters of the kind of mixed-reality solutions that are poised for exponential growth in the years to come. According to IDC, "worldwide revenues for the augmented reality and virtual reality market will grow from $5.2 billion in 2016 to more than $162 billion in 2020." Windows 10 will be updated in 2017 to include Windows Holographic, the platform that powers the mixed-reality experiences enabling people to perceive the world differently and bring the virtual and the physical worlds together. In June at Computex, Microsoft announced that Windows Holographic is coming to Windows 10 PCs and head-mounted displays. All holographic apps are Universal Windows apps, and all Universal Windows apps can be made to run on the Windows Holographic platform.

Microsoft first announced HoloLens in January 2015 and shipped to developers and commercial partners in Canada and the United States on March 31, 2016. Microsoft HoloLens is now available to preorder exclusively from the Microsoft Store in Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, with devices starting to ship in late November.

Potential HoloLens' buyers will also have the choice between purchasing the standard $3,000 Development Edition or the $5,000 Commercial Suite, which includes better support, as well as added security and device management features for enterprise users.