Microsoft Hololens Case Study

This case study assignment focuses on analyzing Microsoft Hololens, an augmented reality system. Students are tasked with classifying the product (shopping, specialty, or unsought), determining its stage in the product life cycle, identifying completed and remaining steps in its new product development, and assessing its potential for success. The assignment requires research using credible sources like established newspapers and business journals, and proper referencing with in-text citations and a bibliography. The final submission should be a 3-4 page paper addressing these questions directly, organized with keywords, and following specific formatting guidelines.

Module 1 - Case
INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING, CONSUMER, AND
PRODUCT
Assignment Overview
Virtual reality was once billed as the next big disruptive technology
when it was introduced to consumers through video games in the
1990s. It became widely used for a wide variety of training
applications in industry and government. So one would think that
more than 20 years after the introduction of virtual reality to
consumers, it would be considered a mature technology. However,
Microsoft is developing its Hololens product, which aims to be the
next generation of virtual reality. The Hololens is creating a lot of
buzz about being a “game changer” with a potential to change our
lives.
Microsoft Hololens is an “augmented reality” system where you can
view 3-D computer-generated holograms side by side with the real
world. Want to see what your house would look like with a different
color paint? Want your kids to play video games by running around
your backyard with holograms rather than sitting in front of a TV?
Would you prefer your science teacher draw diagrams on the
chalkboard, or use holograms to illustrate the concepts? These are
just a few examples of what Hololens may do if it lives up to the
hype.
Review the background materials on product and services
marketing. Then do some research on Microsoft Hololens using the
Trident Library and internet search engines. News about Hololens
changes by the day, so make sure to focus on the most recent
articles and information that you can find. Focus on articles
published in credible magazines, newspapers, journals, or similar
sources.
Case Assignment
When you are finished reviewing the background materials and
doing some research on the latest developments on Microsoft

Hololens, write a 3- to 4-page paper addressing the following
questions:
What type of product do you think Hololens is? Is it a shopping
product, a specialty product, or an unsought product? Explain your
reasoning with respect to the definitions of these three types of
products.
What stage of the product life cycle do you think virtual reality
technology is in right now? Also, what stage of the product life cycle
do you think Microsoft’s Hololens augmented reality technology is
in? Refer to the stages of the product life cycle from the required
Background readings.
Based on the most useful research you have been able to find on
Hololens, what steps in new product development has Microsoft
already completed? Which of the remaining steps that they have not
completed? Which do you think will be the most challenging or most
crucial?
Overall, what is your impression of the potential for success of the
Hololens?
Assignment Expectations
Answer the assignment questions directly. Do not copy and paste
the questions. Instead use keywords such as Product Type of
Hololens, Product Life Cycle of Hololens and so on to organize your
paper. Include an introduction and a conclusion.
Stay focused on the precise assignment questions and don't go off
on tangents or devote a lot of space to summarizing general
background materials. Use double-spaced, black Verdana or Times
Roman font in 12 pt. type size.
Make sure to use reliable and credible sources as your references.
Articles published in established newspapers or business
journals/magazines are preferred. If you find articles on the internet,
make sure they are from credible sources.
Reference your sources of information with both a bibliography and
in-text citations. See the Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality

Academic Paper, including pages 13-14 on in-text citations. Another
resource is the “Writing Style Guide,” which is found under “My
Resources” on the TLC portal.