Microsoft watcher WalkingCat has uncovered an application called Microsoft Huddle. Interestingly, this app was already available on the Microsoft Store. In the Store description, Microsoft Huddle can help “you and other HoloLens users can easily meet and collaborate in mixed reality.” By using the Microsoft Huddle Companion app, users can send their content from their PC. While the app was available in the Store it has since been removed. This suggests Microsoft did not want it to be seen yet. https://twitter.com/h0x0d/status/1275607017214758914 Whether the company was testing something or accidentally placed it on the Microsoft Store. It is also unclear whether this is an active development or not. We’ll keep an eye out to see if Microsoft Huddle returns to the Store.
Looking to Change the Meetings Environment
While Huddle may not return, it is clear Microsoft has been seeking to change meetings for some time. Back in 2017, Microsoft Research showcased MeetAlive. This is a new type of projector that aims to improve presentation experiences by using multiple projectors and depth sensors. It is a Room-Scale Omni-Directional Display System for Multi-User Content and Control Sharing. The method makes it easier to share content in meetings and immerse groups into presentations. MeetAlive was introduced by Hrvoje Benko, Andreas Rene Fender, Andy Wilson at the ISS 2017 – ACM International Conference on Interactive Surfaces and Spaces.