Holoband

Civilian holoband technology created by Graystone Industries, as used by Zoe Graystone in Caprica.

A holoband is a user interface technology that allows for a seemingly fully immersive virtual reality experience in a space known commonly as V-world. Unlike other interfaces, the end-user themselves are implanted into a virtual realm of their choosing, interacting as an avatar of themselves as their bodies are digitized via scanner following the purchase of this device ^{(CAP: "Pilot")}.

Holobands are worn in front of the eyes and secured on the bridge of the nose and behind the ears, similar to eyeglasses. Real-world sounds and sights can interfere with the experience ^{(CAP: "Know Thy Enemy")}, so users must keep their eyes closed ^{(CAP: "Pilot")}. Forced removal of the holoband while in mid-use results in headaches; Odin Sinclair complains about his head "burning" after Lacy Rand forcibly removes it from his head ^{(CAP: "The Heavens Will Rise")}.

Holobands are programmed for each user, and are themselves capable of independent, local data storage. Clarice Willow's plan for Apotheosis is encoded in her band, necessitating its theft and a swap with a look-alike holoband orchestrated by Amanda Graystone at Jordan Duram's behest ^{(CAP: "The Heavens Will Rise")}.

Origins and Usage

The device was invented by Daniel Graystone. The success of the technology made Graystone a celebrity scientist, who frequently appeared on television and in other media. An interactive avatar of Graystone in the halls of Graystone Industries appears the first time a holoband is used, providing a simple user's guide and directing the users to popular and legally licensed V-world sites ^{(CAP: "Know Thy Enemy")}.

The producers viewed the holoband and V-world as a believable extrapolation of existing virtual reality technology, suggesting that a fully immersive sensory experience was not far off in the real world.

Holobands have become a prominent technological and economic presence in Caprican society during 58 BCH (42YR). For a time, holoband devices and associated V-world site development accounted for sixty percent of Graystone Industries' revenue ^{(CAP: "Gravedancing")}. According to the The Caprican, holobands can be found in every classroom in the Zoe Graystone Computer Science Wing of Apollo University.

Military Usage

Osiris' Commander Ozar briefs officers on a mission using a military-issue holoband ^{(TRS: "Blood and Chrome")}.

Later, during the First Cylon War circa 42 BCH (58YR), holobands were used by military units to conduct briefings, as well as to train pilots in combat simulations. By the 10th year of the Cylon War, pilots were trained in V-world simulations using the newer Mark III Viper craft.

Military-issue holoband apparatuses appeared in the form of goggles with specialized lenses, allowing the user to be immersed in virtual constructs while being able to see out of them when required ^{(TRS: "Blood and Chrome")}.

Disuse

After the Cylon War ended in 60YR (40 BCH), the technology was likely abandoned during the post-Armistice era as Colonial society became overly cautious and developed phobias over integrated technology ^{(TRS: "Miniseries")}.