Vertical Divider
Magic Leap Challenges Microsoft And Google With Its AR Headset For Businesses
December 15, 2019
After years of hype, it looks like reality is starting to catch up with Magic Leap. According to a report from The Information, the augmented reality startup and Silicon Valley darling only sold ~6,000 units of its $2,300 Magic Leap One Creator Edition mixed-reality headset through the first six months that it was available. The Magic Leap 1 will replace the original Creator Edition, and Magic Leap’s chief product officer Omar Khan says it has “some minor updates.” But it appears visually indistinguishable from the old device, and there’s apparently no significant change in the industrial design or the optics, including the field of view and overall visual quality. Magic Leap also takes pains to avoid calling it a “next-generation” headset or even a major update — the company said today that its planning to release a Magic Leap 2 in 2021. This update seems to be mostly symbolic, indicating that the Magic Leap headset is no longer an experiment. The new headset will ship on Magic Leap’s own site and through AT&T, just like the old one. But it’s cast as a commercial product rather than a kit for developers or artists. Magic Leap is using this new device to launch an operating system update and a software suite that appeals to professional customers, including a virtual collaboration application called Jump, which is rolling out in beta over the coming months. Magic Leap is also selling an “Enterprise Suite” at a higher price of $2,995, offering buyers access to dedicated support, device management software, and a “rapid replace” program if a headset malfunctions. Khan acknowledges that there’s a small consumer market right now. And most other AR companies have already shifted their focus to professional users. Magic Leap is aiming at four categories: virtual communication and collaboration, 3D visualization, remote training and assistance, and location-based experiences. These markets include Epson, Microsoft, and Vuzix. Khan believes Magic Leap can win buyers with its headset’s visual quality, the fact that it’s not tied to one software ecosystem, and its ergonomics. (Unlike most AR headsets, the Magic Leap 1 offloads most electronics to a pocket-sized wired computer, taking weight off your head.) The company is behind Microsoft, which has shipped two generations of its HoloLens mixed reality headset, which also comes with a software suite. This news follows several less-than-positive reports about the company, including news of layoffs and low sales. Magic Leap has said it’s raising a new round of investment, but it declined to comment on its status.
December 15, 2019
After years of hype, it looks like reality is starting to catch up with Magic Leap. According to a report from The Information, the augmented reality startup and Silicon Valley darling only sold ~6,000 units of its $2,300 Magic Leap One Creator Edition mixed-reality headset through the first six months that it was available. The Magic Leap 1 will replace the original Creator Edition, and Magic Leap’s chief product officer Omar Khan says it has “some minor updates.” But it appears visually indistinguishable from the old device, and there’s apparently no significant change in the industrial design or the optics, including the field of view and overall visual quality. Magic Leap also takes pains to avoid calling it a “next-generation” headset or even a major update — the company said today that its planning to release a Magic Leap 2 in 2021. This update seems to be mostly symbolic, indicating that the Magic Leap headset is no longer an experiment. The new headset will ship on Magic Leap’s own site and through AT&T, just like the old one. But it’s cast as a commercial product rather than a kit for developers or artists. Magic Leap is using this new device to launch an operating system update and a software suite that appeals to professional customers, including a virtual collaboration application called Jump, which is rolling out in beta over the coming months. Magic Leap is also selling an “Enterprise Suite” at a higher price of $2,995, offering buyers access to dedicated support, device management software, and a “rapid replace” program if a headset malfunctions. Khan acknowledges that there’s a small consumer market right now. And most other AR companies have already shifted their focus to professional users. Magic Leap is aiming at four categories: virtual communication and collaboration, 3D visualization, remote training and assistance, and location-based experiences. These markets include Epson, Microsoft, and Vuzix. Khan believes Magic Leap can win buyers with its headset’s visual quality, the fact that it’s not tied to one software ecosystem, and its ergonomics. (Unlike most AR headsets, the Magic Leap 1 offloads most electronics to a pocket-sized wired computer, taking weight off your head.) The company is behind Microsoft, which has shipped two generations of its HoloLens mixed reality headset, which also comes with a software suite. This news follows several less-than-positive reports about the company, including news of layoffs and low sales. Magic Leap has said it’s raising a new round of investment, but it declined to comment on its status.
|
Contact Us
|
Barry Young
|