Danger Zone One

The following is an article from Consumer Tech, a monthly NetPeriodical featuring coverage and reviews on the latest technology trends and products. [Article originally published three years ago.]

MITASTAR HOLOCOM
Review by Gerry Glint

MitaStar’s a relatively new company but, when it comes to holographic technology, they’ve already proven themselves capable of going toe-to-toe with industry giants. Their latest product is the Holocom, a portable device intended to make holographic communication both accessible and affordable to the general consumer.

Jehar Imitz, MitaStar’s founder, has publicly stated that he envisions a world where everyone has a Holocom and holo-calls are the norm, even replacing NetPhones as the primary means of communication. At the moment, many consumers still view the Holocom as a novelty item, but Imitz believes that may soon change.

Utilizing a built-in camera housed within the base of the unit, the device projects a holographic image of its user to a receiver’s Holocom and vice-versa. Audio is also transmitted between devices.

Consumer Tech was impressed with the overall quality of the Holocom and its holographic projection capabilities. During testing, we experienced some minor connectivity issues and the occasional image distortion—but nothing too concerning. The device has a sleek appearance (various colors are available for individual preference) and its compact size allows for “on-the-go” portability.

While we have seen holo-devices in the past with superior image quality, none were as affordable as the Holocom. The main flaw in MitaStar’s product is poor battery life—a major drawback for a device intended to be portable. That said, the current Holocom is still a first generation model. With some slight improvements and select upgrades, more consumers may be willing to invest in their own Holocom once the next model is released.

Danger Zone One. Story by Midnight. Art by Salaiix.