Microsoft has unveiled Project Solara, a chip-to-cloud platform for a new class of hardware built to run AI agents instead of traditional apps. Announced at Build 2026, it is Microsoft's first attempt to design an operating system and devices around agents as the primary way people interact with computers.
Built on enterprise Android
Solara runs on Microsoft's Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP), an enterprise build derived from the Android Open Source Project. It ships with Intune device management, Entra ID authentication and Hello for Business biometrics — but no app store, no browser-first experience and no traditional desktop. A feature Microsoft calls "just-in-time UI" lets agent experiences adapt their interface to whatever device they run on.
Reference devices
Microsoft showed two concept designs: a wearable badge with a touchscreen, camera, fingerprint sensor, microphone array and 5G powered by Qualcomm silicon, and a desk companion. Microsoft will not sell the devices itself; companies including AccuWeather, Best Buy, CVS Health, Levi's and Target are expected to pilot hardware based on the reference designs.
Sources: Tom's Hardware, GeekWire, Microsoft.