7 years of hype and nearly $2B later, startup Magic Leap finally has a consumer product: the Magic Leap One “mixed-reality goggles.”
The ML1 is a 3-part system: comprised of a headset, small external computer, and a wireless controller that lets you interact with realistic virtual 3D objects around you — sooo, pretty much VR?
Kinda, but the virtual world is wayyyy more realistic.
Not only does the headset use elements of augmented reality, but it also tracks your movement and the room around you — so when you walk towards a created object, you can see more detail in it, just like real life.
And the ML1 holds these “creations” to the same rules of physics as humans. That means a virtual person can’t walk through a wall, and if you “put” a virtual object on your desk, then turn the set off, it’ll still be there when you turn it back on.
ML1’s biggest drawback is its field of vision, which is “about the size of a VHS tape held in front of you with your arms half extended” — not exactly “fully immersive,” but who’s complaining?
“When can I have it?”
Magic Leap promises this first version will ship in 2018. As for the price tag, Magic Leap’s CEO Rony Abovitz says they aren’t ready to release a number.
But he also refers to ML1 as a “premium artisanal computer.” So we’re guessing it’ll be pretty d*mn expensive.
