Microsoft releases HoloJS, allowing JavaScript developers to make HoloLens apps

By Mark Coppock December 19, 2016

microsoft releases holojs for holoens augmented reality apps hololenshome feat — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Most people are probably familiar with Microsoft’s HoloLens as strictly a piece of futuristic augmented reality hardware. They may not be aware that a key component of Microsoft’s augmented reality is an underlying application development platform called Windows Holographic.

Windows Holographic is an application programming interface (API) that is a part of the Windows 10 API and enables augmented applications to be built for the Universal Windows Platform (UWP). Now, Microsoft released another tool in the augmented reality developer’s kit with HoloJS, a way to create UWP apps supporting HoloLens using JavaScript and WebGL, MSPoweruser reports.

Microsoft released HoloJS on GitHub with little fanfare and it was discovered by WalkingCat, a Twitter account that’s a source of numerous Microsoft discoveries. WalkingCat pointed to the open-source project recently placed on GitHub that uses Microsoft’s Chakra JavaScript engine created for the company’s Edge web browser.

According to Microsoft GitHub description, “HoloJS is a C++ library that hosts Chakra to run JavaScript code, and also hosts ANGLE to handle OpenGL ES graphics calls. OpenGL ES calls are translated from WebGL calls by the JavaScript app. When running on a Microsoft HoloLens, HoloJS supports holographic rendering.” What this means in simpler terms is that developers versed in JavaScript and WebGL can put their expertise to use in building holographic UWP apps for HoloLens.

Microsoft provides documentation for HoloJS that should help developers get started, as long as they’re using Visual Studio 16 with Update 3 and have access to the HoloLens emulator. What this means for the rest of us is there is now another way for developers to make HoloLens apps and we will have to keep hoping Microsoft will release their augmented reality hardware at affordable prices sometime in the near future.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Computing Writer

Mark has been a geek since MS-DOS gave way to Windows and the PalmPilot was a thing. He’s translated his love for…

Computing

Power up your tech game this summer with Dell’s top deals: Upgrade for a bargain

Dell Techfest and best tech on sale featured.

One of the best times to upgrade your tech stack, be it your desktop, a new laptop, or some high-resolution monitors, is when great deals are to be had. Well, I'm here to share that thanks to Dell's top deals, you can power up your tech game and have most of the summer to make it happen. Maybe you're happy with your current system or setup. That's excellent, but you're likely considering upgrading somewhere, and that's precisely what these deals are all about. Dell has a smorgasbord of deals on laptops, desktops, gaming desktops, monitors, accessories, and so much more. We'll call out a few of our favorite deals below, but for now, know that you should be shopping this sale if you're interested in anything tech-related.

What summer tech should you buy in Dell's top deals?

Computing

I love the MacBook Pro, but this Windows laptop came surprisingly close

Apple MacBook Pro 16 downward view showing keyboard and speaker.

There are some great machines in the 15-inch laptop category, which has recently been stretched to include the more common 16-inch laptop. The best among them is the Apple MacBook Pro 16, which offers fast performance for tasks like video editing and the longest battery life.

The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 is aimed not only at other 16-inch Windows laptops but also at the MacBook Pro 16. It offers many of the same benefits but at a lower price. Can it take a place at the top?
Specs and configurations

Computing

How to set an ‘Out of Office’ message in Microsoft Teams

Person using Windows 11 laptop on their lap by the window.

Many people use Microsoft Teams regularly to communicate with colleagues both inside of the office and remotely. It is considered one of the most efficient ways to ensure you can stay in contact with the people on your team, but what if you need to let people know you’re not readily available? Microsoft Teams has a method for you to set up an "Out of Office" status for your profile to let staff members know when you’ll be gone for the afternoon, for several days on vacation, or for an extended period.
Where do I go to set up my ‘Out of Office’ status for Teams?
It is important to note that your Microsoft Teams and Outlook calendars are synced. This includes your out-of-office status and automatic replies. So, whatever you set up in Microsoft Teams will reflect in Outlook. Similarly, you can set up your out-of-office status in Outlook, and it will be reflected in Teams; however, the former has a more straightforward instruction.

First, you can click on your profile icon in Teams and go directly to Schedule an out of office, as a shortcut. This will take you to the settings area where you can proceed. You can also click the three-dot icon next to your profile icon, then go to Settings > General, then scroll down to the bottom of the page. There, you'll find out-of-office settings and click Schedule.