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Improving page with detailed specifications, history, features, and references
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Improving page with detailed specifications, history, features, and references
 
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{{Device Infobox
{{Device Infobox
|name = Magic Leap One (Magic Leap 1)
|image =
|image =
|VR/AR = [[Augmented Reality]]
|VR/AR = [[Augmented Reality]]
|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]
|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]
|Subtype = Standalone AR
|Subtype = [[Tethered AR]]
|Platform = [[Lumin OS]] (Android-based)
|Platform = [[Lumin OS]]
|Creator = [[Magic Leap]]
|Creator = [[Magic Leap]]
|Announced = December 20, 2017
|Developer = [[Magic Leap]]
|Release = August 8, 2018
|Manufacturer = [[Magic Leap]]
|Price = $2,295
|Announcement Date = December 2017
|Website = https://www.magicleap.com
|Release Date = August 8, 2018
|OS = Lumin OS
|Price = $2,295 (Creator Edition)
|CPU = NVIDIA Tegra X2
|Website = https://www.magicleap.com/ (legacy)
|Versions = Magic Leap One Creator Edition
|Requires = Lightpack compute unit (included)
|Predecessor = None
|Successor = [[Magic Leap 2]]
|Operating System = [[Lumin OS]]
|Chipset = [[NVIDIA Tegra X2]]
|CPU = NVIDIA Denver 2.0 (2 cores) + ARM Cortex A57 (4 cores)
|GPU = NVIDIA Pascal (256 CUDA cores)
|GPU = NVIDIA Pascal (256 CUDA cores)
|Storage = 128 GB
|HPU =
|RAM = 8 GB
|Storage = 128GB (~95GB available)
|Display = LCOS waveguide (6-layer)
|Memory = 8GB (4GB available to apps)
|Resolution = 2560 x 1920 (1280 x 960 per eye)
|SD Card Slot = No
|Refresh = 122 Hz
|Display = Dual LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)
|Brightness =
|Subpixel Layout = N/A
|FOV = 40° (diagonal)
|Peak Brightness = Not specified
|PPD =
|Resolution = 1280 × 960 per eye
|Lenses = 6-layer waveguide
|Pixel Density = ~25 PPD
|IPD =
|Refresh Rate = 122Hz
|Eye Tracking =
|Persistence = Low persistence
|Hand Tracking = Yes
|Field of View = 40° diagonal (50° horizontal claimed by some measurements)
|Tracking = 6DoF (inside-out)
|Horizontal FoV = ~40°
|Spatial Mapping = Yes
|Vertical FoV = ~30°
|Speakers = Integrated spatial
|Average Pixel Density = ~25 PPD
|Peak Pixel Density = ~25 PPD
|Foveated Rendering = No
|Optics = Diffractive waveguide (6-layer)
|Ocularity = Binocular
|IPD Range = ~60-72mm
|Adjustable Diopter = No (prescription inserts available)
|Passthrough = Native see-through (AR glasses)
|Tracking = 6DoF inside-out (SLAM)
|Tracking Frequency = N/A
|Base Stations = None required
|Eye Tracking = Yes (basic)
|Face Tracking = No
|Hand Tracking = Yes (added via update)
|Body Tracking = No
|Rotational Tracking = Yes
|Positional Tracking = Yes
|Update Rate = 122Hz
|Tracking Volume = Room-scale
|Play Space = Mobile AR
|Latency = <25ms
|Audio = Onboard speakers + 3.5mm jack
|Microphone = Yes
|Microphone = Yes
|Audio Jack = 3.5mm
|3.5mm Audio Jack = Yes
|Connectivity = Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
|Camera = Multiple tracking/scene cameras
|Ports = USB-C
|Connectivity = Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C
|Battery = 3 hours (Lightpack)
|Ports = USB-C (on Lightpack)
|Weight = Lightwear + Lightpack
|Wired Video = No
|Materials =
|Wireless Video = No
|Colors = Black
|WiFi = Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
|Sensors = Tracking cameras, depth sensor, IMU
|Bluetooth = Bluetooth 4.2
|Input = Control (6DoF controller), hand gestures
|Power = Lightpack battery
|Battery Capacity = Not specified
|Battery Life = 3-3.5 hours
|Charge Time = ~2 hours
|Dimensions = Headset: adjustable sizes; Lightpack: ~160mm diameter
|Weight = Headset: 316g; Lightpack: 415g
|Material = Aluminum, plastic
|Headstrap = Adjustable forehead band + rear support
|Haptics = Controller haptics
|Color = Black
|Sensors = Multiple world cameras, eye tracking cameras, depth sensor
|Input = Control controller (6DoF), hand tracking, voice
|Compliance = FCC, CE
}}
}}


The '''Magic Leap 1''' (also known as '''Magic Leap One: Creator Edition''') is an [[augmented reality]] [[head-mounted display]] developed by [[Magic Leap]]. Announced on December 20, 2017 and released on August 8, 2018 at $2,295, the Magic Leap 1 was a highly anticipated device following years of secretive development and billions in funding. The headset features dual LCOS displays with a unique 6-layer waveguide system for depth perception, NVIDIA Tegra X2 processor in a waist-worn "Lightpack" compute unit, and the custom Lumin OS. Cloud services ended December 31, 2024.<ref name="magicleap">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Leap|title=Magic Leap|publisher=Wikipedia}}</ref>
The '''Magic Leap One''' (also known as '''Magic Leap 1''') is an [[augmented reality]] [[head-mounted display]] developed by [[Magic Leap]], a secretive Florida-based company that raised over $2.6 billion in funding before revealing its product. Announced in December 2017 with a dramatic whale video demonstration and released on August 8, 2018 for $2,295 as the "Creator Edition," the Magic Leap One was marketed to developers and enterprise users as a revolutionary spatial computing platform. The system consisted of three components: the Lightwear headset with diffractive waveguide displays, the Lightpack waist-worn compute unit powered by an NVIDIA Tegra X2 processor, and the Control 6DoF handheld controller. Despite enormous hype and investment, the Magic Leap One's 40° diagonal field of view and limited commercial applications led to disappointing sales. Cloud services and support for Magic Leap 1 ended on December 31, 2024.


== History and Development ==
== History and Development ==


=== Secretive Development ===
=== Secretive Development ===
Magic Leap developed in stealth mode for years, raising over $2.6 billion before product launch.
Magic Leap mystique:
* Founded 2010 by Rony Abovitz
* Over $2.6 billion raised
* Minimal public demonstrations
* "Mixed reality" terminology
* Revolutionary claims


=== December 2017 Announcement ===
=== Hype and Funding ===
The Magic Leap One: Creator Edition was officially announced December 20, 2017.
Unprecedented investment:
* Google led Series B ($542M, 2014)
* Alibaba led Series C ($793M, 2016)
* Series D ($502M, 2017)
* Highest-funded AR startup
 
=== "Leap" Announcement ===
December 2017 reveal:
* Product finally shown
* "Lightwear" headset revealed
* 2018 availability promised
* Developer/creator focus


=== August 2018 Launch ===
=== August 2018 Launch ===
Released August 8, 2018 initially in select US cities via concierge delivery.
Creator Edition release:
* $2,295 price point
* Limited US cities initially
* AT&T partnership
* LiftOff delivery service
 
== Design Philosophy ==
 
=== Spatial Computing ===
Magic Leap vision:
* Digital objects in physical world
* Persistent spatial content
* Natural interaction
* "Magic" experiences


=== End of Life ===
=== Three-Component System ===
Cloud services ended December 31, 2024; the device is no longer functional.
Modular architecture:
* '''Lightwear''': Display headset
* '''Lightpack''': Compute unit (waist)
* '''Control''': 6DoF controller
* Tethered design


== Design and Hardware ==
=== Creator Focus ===
Target audience:
* Developers and creators
* Enterprise exploration
* Not general consumer
* Platform building


=== Display System ===
== Display Technology ==
* '''Type:''' LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)
* '''Resolution:''' 1280 x 960 per eye (2560 x 1920 total)
* '''Refresh Rate:''' 122 Hz
* '''Field of View:''' ~40 degrees (diagonal)


=== 6-Layer Waveguide ===
=== Diffractive Waveguide ===
Unique multi-layer display:
Layered optical system:
* 2 layers for red
* 6 waveguide layers
* 2 layers for green
* Different focal planes
* 2 layers for blue
* Variable focus depth
* Enables depth perception
* Complex manufacturing
* More layers than competitors


=== Lightpack Compute ===
=== LCOS Displays ===
Waist-worn processor unit:
Projection system:
* '''CPU:''' NVIDIA Tegra X2
* '''Resolution''': 1280 × 960 per eye
* '''RAM:''' 8 GB
* '''Type''': Liquid Crystal on Silicon
* '''Storage:''' 128 GB
* '''Refresh''': 122Hz
* '''Battery:''' ~3 hours continuous
* Compact projectors


=== Lightwear Headset ===
=== Field of View ===
Glasses-style head-worn display:
Disappointing specification:
* Lightweight design
* ~40° diagonal (claimed)
* Comfortable for extended wear
* ~50° horizontal (some measurements)
* Multiple frame sizes
* Smaller than HoloLens 1
* Major criticism point


== Lumin OS ==
=== Visual Quality ===
Mixed reviews:
* Good color
* Reasonable brightness
* FOV limitations
* Occasional artifacts


=== Custom Operating System ===
== Lightwear Headset ==
* Based on Android Open Source Project (AOSP)
* Developed specifically for AR
* Magic Leap-optimized


== Input Methods ==
=== Physical Design ===
Distinctive appearance:
* Goggle-like form
* Two size options
* Adjustable fit
* 316 grams


=== Control ===
=== Optics Housing ===
* 6DoF handheld controller
Complex assembly:
* Multiple cameras
* Waveguide display
* Sensors
* Premium materials
 
=== Comfort ===
Wearability:
* Forehead and rear support
* Weight distributed
* Adjustable sizing
* Extended wear possible
 
== Lightpack Compute ==
 
=== Waist-Worn Design ===
Separate compute:
* Worn on belt/pocket
* Tether to headset
* Processing power
* Battery included
 
=== NVIDIA Tegra X2 ===
Processing power:
* '''CPU''': Denver 2.0 + Cortex A57 (6 cores)
* '''GPU''': Pascal (256 CUDA cores)
* '''RAM''': 8GB (4GB app-available)
* '''Storage''': 128GB
 
=== Battery ===
Power system:
* Integrated battery
* 3-3.5 hours runtime
* USB-C charging
* Hot-swap possible
 
== Control Controller ==
 
=== 6DoF Tracked ===
Full motion controller:
* Positional tracking
* Rotational tracking
* Touchpad
* Touchpad
* Trigger
* Trigger button
 
=== Input Features ===
Controller capabilities:
* Haptic feedback
* Haptic feedback
* Touchpad gestures
* Home button
* LED indicators
== Tracking System ==
=== SLAM-Based ===
Inside-out tracking:
* Multiple cameras
* Scene understanding
* Environmental mapping
* 6DoF positioning
=== Spatial Mapping ===
World understanding:
* Surface detection
* Object recognition
* Spatial anchors
* Persistent content


=== Hand Tracking ===
=== Hand Tracking ===
Added via update:
* Camera-based tracking
* Gesture recognition
* Gesture recognition
* Controller-free interaction
* Controller alternative
* Direct manipulation
* Limited initially


== Tracking ==
=== Eye Tracking ===
Basic implementation:
* Presence detection
* Gaze estimation
* Limited applications
* Future potential


=== Inside-Out Tracking ===
== Audio ==
* 6 degrees of freedom
 
* Environmental mapping
=== Integrated Speakers ===
* Persistent world anchors
Spatial audio:
* Onboard speakers
* Spatial positioning
* Environmental awareness
* Good quality
 
=== 3.5mm Jack ===
Headphone option:
* Private listening
* Better audio quality
* Professional use
 
== Software Platform ==
 
=== Lumin OS ===
Custom operating system:
* Magic Leap developed
* Spatial app framework
* Developer tools
* Regular updates
 
=== Lumin SDK ===
Development platform:
* Unity integration
* Unreal support
* Magic Leap APIs
* Spatial computing tools
 
=== Magic Leap World ===
App store:
* Limited catalog
* Enterprise apps
* Entertainment
* Developer tools
 
== Applications ==
 
=== Developer Showcase ===
Early experiences:
* Demos and prototypes
* Enterprise experiments
* Educational content
* Creative tools
 
=== Enterprise Focus (Later) ===
Pivot to business:
* Healthcare visualization
* Industrial design
* Training applications
* Retail experiences
 
== Commercial Reception ==
 
=== Underwhelming Launch ===
Market response:
* FOV disappointment
* High price criticism
* Limited content
* Hype vs. reality
 
=== Sales Challenges ===
Commercial struggles:
* Estimated 6,000 units first 6 months
* Far below projections
* Enterprise pivot required
* Layoffs followed
 
=== Developer Feedback ===
Mixed reception:
* Tracking quality praised
* Display quality good
* FOV major limitation
* Platform potential
 
== End of Life ==
 
=== December 2024 ===
Service termination:
* Cloud services ended
* Core functionality ceased
* Hardware non-functional
* 6-year product lifecycle
 
=== Magic Leap 2 Successor ===
Enterprise evolution:
* Improved specifications
* Pure enterprise focus
* Smaller FOV still
* Continued development
 
== Comparison with HoloLens 1 ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Feature !! Magic Leap One !! Microsoft HoloLens 1
|-
| Price || $2,295 || $3,000
|-
| Release || August 2018 || March 2016
|-
| FOV || ~40° diagonal || ~35° diagonal
|-
| Resolution/eye || 1280×960 || 1280×720
|-
| Form Factor || Goggles + waist pack || Self-contained headset
|-
| Weight || 316g + 415g || 579g
|-
| Computing || Tegra X2 (external) || HPU (internal)
|}


=== Spatial Computing ===
== Legacy ==
* Room meshing
* Surface detection
* Light estimation


== Successor ==
=== Technology Validation ===
Industry contributions:
* Waveguide advancement
* Spatial computing concepts
* Funding model demonstration
* AR awareness


=== Magic Leap 2 ===
=== Cautionary Tale ===
Released 2022 with improved specifications:
Industry lessons:
* 70° FOV (vs 40°)
* Hype management importance
* Smaller form factor
* FOV expectations
* Enterprise focus
* Consumer vs. enterprise
* Sustainable business models


== Specifications ==
== Technical Specifications Summary ==


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 131: Line 395:
! Specification !! Details
! Specification !! Details
|-
|-
| Display || LCOS waveguide (6-layer)
| Display || LCOS waveguide, 1280 × 960 per eye
|-
| Resolution || 1280 x 960 per eye
|-
|-
| Refresh Rate || 122 Hz
| FOV || ~40° diagonal
|-
|-
| Field of View || ~40°
| Refresh Rate || 122Hz
|-
|-
| Processor || NVIDIA Tegra X2
| Processor || NVIDIA Tegra X2
|-
|-
| RAM || 8 GB
| Memory || 8GB (4GB app available)
|-
|-
| Storage || 128 GB
| Storage || 128GB (~95GB available)
|-
|-
| Battery || ~3 hours (Lightpack)
| Tracking || 6DoF SLAM (inside-out)
|-
|-
| Controller || 6DoF Control
| Controller || 6DoF Control
|-
|-
| Hand Tracking || Yes
| Audio || Integrated + 3.5mm jack
|-
| Battery || 3-3.5 hours
|-
| Weight || 316g (headset) + 415g (Lightpack)
|-
|-
| Price || $2,295
| Price || $2,295
|-
|-
| Status || End-of-life (2024)
| Status || Discontinued (December 2024)
|}
|}


Line 159: Line 425:
* [[Magic Leap]]
* [[Magic Leap]]
* [[Magic Leap 2]]
* [[Magic Leap 2]]
* [[Augmented reality]]
* [[Augmented Reality]]
* [[LCOS display]]
* [[Waveguide Display]]
* [[Waveguide optics]]
* [[Microsoft HoloLens]]
* [[Spatial Computing]]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 167: Line 434:


[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:AR Glasses]]
[[Category:AR Headsets]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:Standalone AR]]
[[Category:Augmented Reality]]
[[Category:Waveguide optics]]
[[Category:Magic Leap]]
[[Category:Magic Leap]]
[[Category:2010s AR]]
[[Category:2010s AR]]
[[Category:Discontinued devices]]
[[Category:Waveguide Display]]
[[Category:Discontinued]]

Latest revision as of 03:09, 8 January 2026

Magic Leap One (Magic Leap 1)
Basic Info
VR/AR Augmented Reality
Type Head-mounted display
Subtype Tethered AR
Platform Lumin OS
Creator Magic Leap
Developer Magic Leap
Manufacturer Magic Leap
Announcement Date December 2017
Release Date August 8, 2018
Price $2,295 (Creator Edition)
Website https://www.magicleap.com/ (legacy)
Versions Magic Leap One Creator Edition
Requires Lightpack compute unit (included)
Predecessor None
Successor Magic Leap 2
System
Operating System Lumin OS
Chipset NVIDIA Tegra X2
CPU NVIDIA Denver 2.0 (2 cores) + ARM Cortex A57 (4 cores)
GPU NVIDIA Pascal (256 CUDA cores)
Storage
Storage 128GB (~95GB available)
Memory 8GB (4GB available to apps)
SD Card Slot No
Display
Display Dual LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)
Subpixel Layout N/A
Peak Brightness Not specified
Resolution 1280 × 960 per eye
Pixel Density ~25 PPD
Refresh Rate 122Hz
Persistence Low persistence
Image
Field of View 40° diagonal (50° horizontal claimed by some measurements)
Horizontal FoV ~40°
Vertical FoV ~30°
Average Pixel Density ~25 PPD
Peak Pixel Density ~25 PPD
Foveated Rendering No
Optics
Optics Diffractive waveguide (6-layer)
Ocularity Binocular
IPD Range ~60-72mm
Adjustable Diopter No (prescription inserts available)
Passthrough Native see-through (AR glasses)
Tracking
Tracking 6DoF inside-out (SLAM)
Tracking Frequency N/A
Base Stations None required
Eye Tracking Yes (basic)
Face Tracking No
Hand Tracking Yes (added via update)
Body Tracking No
Rotational Tracking Yes
Positional Tracking Yes
Update Rate 122Hz
Tracking Volume Room-scale
Play Space Mobile AR
Latency <25ms
Audio
Audio Onboard speakers + 3.5mm jack
Microphone Yes
3.5mm Audio Jack Yes
Camera Multiple tracking/scene cameras
Connectivity
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C
Ports USB-C (on Lightpack)
Wired Video No
Wireless Video No
WiFi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.2
Power Lightpack battery
Battery Capacity Not specified
Battery Life 3-3.5 hours
Charge Time ~2 hours
Device
Dimensions Headset: adjustable sizes; Lightpack: ~160mm diameter
Weight Headset: 316g; Lightpack: 415g
Material Aluminum, plastic
Headstrap Adjustable forehead band + rear support
Haptics Controller haptics
Color Black
Sensors Multiple world cameras, eye tracking cameras, depth sensor
Input Control controller (6DoF), hand tracking, voice
Compliance FCC, CE

Property "Latency" (as page type) with input value "" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.


The Magic Leap One (also known as Magic Leap 1) is an augmented reality head-mounted display developed by Magic Leap, a secretive Florida-based company that raised over $2.6 billion in funding before revealing its product. Announced in December 2017 with a dramatic whale video demonstration and released on August 8, 2018 for $2,295 as the "Creator Edition," the Magic Leap One was marketed to developers and enterprise users as a revolutionary spatial computing platform. The system consisted of three components: the Lightwear headset with diffractive waveguide displays, the Lightpack waist-worn compute unit powered by an NVIDIA Tegra X2 processor, and the Control 6DoF handheld controller. Despite enormous hype and investment, the Magic Leap One's 40° diagonal field of view and limited commercial applications led to disappointing sales. Cloud services and support for Magic Leap 1 ended on December 31, 2024.

History and Development

Secretive Development

Magic Leap mystique:

  • Founded 2010 by Rony Abovitz
  • Over $2.6 billion raised
  • Minimal public demonstrations
  • "Mixed reality" terminology
  • Revolutionary claims

Hype and Funding

Unprecedented investment:

  • Google led Series B ($542M, 2014)
  • Alibaba led Series C ($793M, 2016)
  • Series D ($502M, 2017)
  • Highest-funded AR startup

"Leap" Announcement

December 2017 reveal:

  • Product finally shown
  • "Lightwear" headset revealed
  • 2018 availability promised
  • Developer/creator focus

August 2018 Launch

Creator Edition release:

  • $2,295 price point
  • Limited US cities initially
  • AT&T partnership
  • LiftOff delivery service

Design Philosophy

Spatial Computing

Magic Leap vision:

  • Digital objects in physical world
  • Persistent spatial content
  • Natural interaction
  • "Magic" experiences

Three-Component System

Modular architecture:

  • Lightwear: Display headset
  • Lightpack: Compute unit (waist)
  • Control: 6DoF controller
  • Tethered design

Creator Focus

Target audience:

  • Developers and creators
  • Enterprise exploration
  • Not general consumer
  • Platform building

Display Technology

Diffractive Waveguide

Layered optical system:

  • 6 waveguide layers
  • Different focal planes
  • Variable focus depth
  • Complex manufacturing

LCOS Displays

Projection system:

  • Resolution: 1280 × 960 per eye
  • Type: Liquid Crystal on Silicon
  • Refresh: 122Hz
  • Compact projectors

Field of View

Disappointing specification:

  • ~40° diagonal (claimed)
  • ~50° horizontal (some measurements)
  • Smaller than HoloLens 1
  • Major criticism point

Visual Quality

Mixed reviews:

  • Good color
  • Reasonable brightness
  • FOV limitations
  • Occasional artifacts

Lightwear Headset

Physical Design

Distinctive appearance:

  • Goggle-like form
  • Two size options
  • Adjustable fit
  • 316 grams

Optics Housing

Complex assembly:

  • Multiple cameras
  • Waveguide display
  • Sensors
  • Premium materials

Comfort

Wearability:

  • Forehead and rear support
  • Weight distributed
  • Adjustable sizing
  • Extended wear possible

Lightpack Compute

Waist-Worn Design

Separate compute:

  • Worn on belt/pocket
  • Tether to headset
  • Processing power
  • Battery included

NVIDIA Tegra X2

Processing power:

  • CPU: Denver 2.0 + Cortex A57 (6 cores)
  • GPU: Pascal (256 CUDA cores)
  • RAM: 8GB (4GB app-available)
  • Storage: 128GB

Battery

Power system:

  • Integrated battery
  • 3-3.5 hours runtime
  • USB-C charging
  • Hot-swap possible

Control Controller

6DoF Tracked

Full motion controller:

  • Positional tracking
  • Rotational tracking
  • Touchpad
  • Trigger button

Input Features

Controller capabilities:

  • Haptic feedback
  • Touchpad gestures
  • Home button
  • LED indicators

Tracking System

SLAM-Based

Inside-out tracking:

  • Multiple cameras
  • Scene understanding
  • Environmental mapping
  • 6DoF positioning

Spatial Mapping

World understanding:

  • Surface detection
  • Object recognition
  • Spatial anchors
  • Persistent content

Hand Tracking

Added via update:

  • Camera-based tracking
  • Gesture recognition
  • Controller alternative
  • Limited initially

Eye Tracking

Basic implementation:

  • Presence detection
  • Gaze estimation
  • Limited applications
  • Future potential

Audio

Integrated Speakers

Spatial audio:

  • Onboard speakers
  • Spatial positioning
  • Environmental awareness
  • Good quality

3.5mm Jack

Headphone option:

  • Private listening
  • Better audio quality
  • Professional use

Software Platform

Lumin OS

Custom operating system:

  • Magic Leap developed
  • Spatial app framework
  • Developer tools
  • Regular updates

Lumin SDK

Development platform:

  • Unity integration
  • Unreal support
  • Magic Leap APIs
  • Spatial computing tools

Magic Leap World

App store:

  • Limited catalog
  • Enterprise apps
  • Entertainment
  • Developer tools

Applications

Developer Showcase

Early experiences:

  • Demos and prototypes
  • Enterprise experiments
  • Educational content
  • Creative tools

Enterprise Focus (Later)

Pivot to business:

  • Healthcare visualization
  • Industrial design
  • Training applications
  • Retail experiences

Commercial Reception

Underwhelming Launch

Market response:

  • FOV disappointment
  • High price criticism
  • Limited content
  • Hype vs. reality

Sales Challenges

Commercial struggles:

  • Estimated 6,000 units first 6 months
  • Far below projections
  • Enterprise pivot required
  • Layoffs followed

Developer Feedback

Mixed reception:

  • Tracking quality praised
  • Display quality good
  • FOV major limitation
  • Platform potential

End of Life

December 2024

Service termination:

  • Cloud services ended
  • Core functionality ceased
  • Hardware non-functional
  • 6-year product lifecycle

Magic Leap 2 Successor

Enterprise evolution:

  • Improved specifications
  • Pure enterprise focus
  • Smaller FOV still
  • Continued development

Comparison with HoloLens 1

Feature Magic Leap One Microsoft HoloLens 1
Price $2,295 $3,000
Release August 2018 March 2016
FOV ~40° diagonal ~35° diagonal
Resolution/eye 1280×960 1280×720
Form Factor Goggles + waist pack Self-contained headset
Weight 316g + 415g 579g
Computing Tegra X2 (external) HPU (internal)

Legacy

Technology Validation

Industry contributions:

  • Waveguide advancement
  • Spatial computing concepts
  • Funding model demonstration
  • AR awareness

Cautionary Tale

Industry lessons:

  • Hype management importance
  • FOV expectations
  • Consumer vs. enterprise
  • Sustainable business models

Technical Specifications Summary

Specification Details
Display LCOS waveguide, 1280 × 960 per eye
FOV ~40° diagonal
Refresh Rate 122Hz
Processor NVIDIA Tegra X2
Memory 8GB (4GB app available)
Storage 128GB (~95GB available)
Tracking 6DoF SLAM (inside-out)
Controller 6DoF Control
Audio Integrated + 3.5mm jack
Battery 3-3.5 hours
Weight 316g (headset) + 415g (Lightpack)
Price $2,295
Status Discontinued (December 2024)

See Also

References