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Looking Glass Portrait

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Looking Glass Portrait
Basic Info
VR/AR Mixed Reality / 3D Display
Type Holographic Display
Subtype Light Field Display, Glasses-Free 3D
Platform Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi
Creator Looking Glass Factory
Developer Looking Glass Factory
Manufacturer Looking Glass Factory
Announcement Date 2020
Release Date 2020
Price $299
Website https://lookingglassfactory.com/
Versions Looking Glass Portrait, Looking Glass Go, Looking Glass 16", Looking Glass 32"
Requires HDMI source or onboard Raspberry Pi
Predecessor Looking Glass Standard
Successor Looking Glass Go
System
Operating System Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi OS
Chipset Onboard Raspberry Pi 4
CPU Raspberry Pi 4
GPU Raspberry Pi integrated
Storage
Storage SD card (Raspberry Pi)
Memory Raspberry Pi RAM
SD Card Slot Yes (via Raspberry Pi)
Display
Display 7.9" LCD
Subpixel Layout RGB
Peak Brightness Standard LCD
Resolution 2048 × 1536
Pixel Density High
Refresh Rate 60Hz
Persistence Standard LCD
Image
Field of View 58° viewing cone
Horizontal FoV 58° cone
Vertical FoV Vertical viewing
Average Pixel Density High
Peak Pixel Density High
Foveated Rendering N/A
Optics
Optics Lenticular lens array
Ocularity Multi-viewer (no glasses)
IPD Range N/A (glasses-free)
Adjustable Diopter N/A
Passthrough N/A
Tracking
Tracking N/A (display only)
Tracking Frequency N/A
Base Stations N/A
Eye Tracking N/A
Face Tracking N/A
Hand Tracking Optional (gesture sensors)
Body Tracking N/A
Rotational Tracking N/A
Positional Tracking N/A
Update Rate 60Hz
Tracking Volume N/A
Play Space Desktop display
Latency Standard display
Audio
Audio N/A
Microphone N/A
3.5mm Audio Jack N/A
Camera N/A
Connectivity
Connectivity HDMI, USB
Ports HDMI, USB
Wired Video Yes (HDMI)
Wireless Video No
WiFi Via Raspberry Pi
Bluetooth Via Raspberry Pi
Power External power
Battery Capacity N/A (powered display)
Battery Life N/A
Charge Time N/A
Device
Dimensions Portrait orientation
Weight 1.3 lbs (660g)
Material Display housing
Headstrap N/A (desktop display)
Haptics N/A
Color Black
Sensors Optional gesture sensors
Input External input, gesture control optional
Compliance Consumer electronics

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The Looking Glass Portrait is a holographic display developed by Looking Glass Factory, released in late 2020 at $299 (currently available with discounts). Unlike traditional 3D displays requiring glasses, the Looking Glass Portrait uses a lenticular lens array to project up to 100 different perspectives of a 3D image simultaneously, allowing multiple viewers to see full 3D content from different angles without special eyewear, head tracking, or VR headsets. The 7.9-inch display features a 2048 × 1536 resolution with a 4:3 aspect ratio and 58° viewing cone, weighing just 1.3 lbs (660g) in a portrait orientation form factor. The display includes an onboard Raspberry Pi 4 with proprietary software capable of producing 3D images at 60Hz even when not connected to a computer, enabling standalone operation. Looking Glass Factory provides software plugins for Unity, Unreal Engine, Blender, and WebXR, with optional touchless gesture control through external sensors. Primary use cases include displaying 3D photos, viewing 3D artwork and designs, showcasing holographic portraits, and presenting 3D models for design review. The Looking Glass Portrait targets photographers, 3D artists, designers, and consumers wanting to display 3D memories and creations in a physical, shareable format—bridging digital 3D content with real-world viewing.

History and Development

Looking Glass Factory Origins

Company background:

  • Brooklyn-based startup
  • Holographic display pioneer
  • Consumer 3D display focus
  • Multiple display sizes

Looking Glass Standard

Earlier product:

  • Larger form factor
  • Higher price point
  • Professional market
  • Technology foundation

Portrait Launch (2020)

Consumer product:

  • $399 original price
  • Personal holographic display
  • Accessible price point
  • Holiday 2020 release

Price Reduction

Current pricing:

  • $299 base price
  • Discount codes available
  • Consumer accessible
  • Market expansion

Product Lineup Expansion

2024 updates:

  • Looking Glass Go (portable)
  • Looking Glass 16" OLED
  • Looking Glass 32"
  • Expanded options

Design Philosophy

Glasses-Free 3D

Core concept:

  • No special glasses
  • No head tracking required
  • No VR headset needed
  • Natural viewing

Multi-Viewer

Shared experience:

  • Multiple people simultaneously
  • Different viewing angles
  • Group viewing
  • Social 3D

Light Field Display

Technology:

  • Lenticular lens array
  • Multiple perspectives
  • Volumetric appearance
  • True 3D effect

Standalone Capability

Independence:

  • Onboard Raspberry Pi
  • No PC required
  • Self-contained display
  • Easy deployment

Display Technology

Light Field Rendering

Display method:

  • Perspectives: Up to 100
  • Simultaneous projection
  • View-dependent imagery
  • Holographic effect

Lenticular Lens Array

Optical system:

  • Micro-lens layer
  • Directional light steering
  • Perspective separation
  • 3D reconstruction

Resolution

Display specifications:

  • Resolution: 2048 × 1536
  • Aspect ratio: 4:3
  • High pixel density
  • Sharp imagery

Viewing Cone

Viewing area:

  • Cone angle: 58°
  • Horizontal viewing range
  • Multiple viewer positions
  • Natural movement

Refresh Rate

Display speed:

  • Rate: 60Hz
  • Smooth playback
  • Real-time content
  • Standard refresh

Physical Design

Form Factor

Orientation:

  • Portrait orientation
  • Vertical display
  • Photo-frame style
  • Desktop placement

Display Size

Screen dimensions:

  • Size: 7.9 inches
  • Compact personal size
  • Desk-friendly
  • Portable form

Weight

Mass:

  • Weight: 1.3 lbs (660g)
  • Lightweight
  • Easy placement
  • Portable

Onboard Processing

Raspberry Pi 4

Integrated computer:

  • Onboard processing
  • Standalone operation
  • Wi-Fi connected
  • Self-sufficient

Standalone Mode

Independent operation:

  • No PC connection required
  • 60Hz 3D rendering
  • Content playback
  • Slideshow capable

Connected Mode

External source:

  • HDMI input
  • USB connection
  • PC rendering
  • Real-time content

Software Ecosystem

Looking Glass Studio

Content creation:

  • 3D content preparation
  • Photo conversion
  • Model viewing
  • Easy workflow

Engine Plugins

Development support:

  • Unity: Plugin available
  • Unreal Engine: Plugin available
  • Blender: Plugin available
  • WebXR: Support

Content Types

Supported formats:

  • 3D photos
  • 3D models
  • Holographic portraits
  • Animated content

Input Options

Gesture Control

Touchless interaction:

  • Optional sensors
  • Hand gestures
  • Touch-free control
  • Interactive displays

Standard Input

Traditional control:

  • Keyboard/mouse
  • Touch (external)
  • Remote control
  • Standard interfaces

Use Cases

3D Photography

Photo display:

  • Depth photos
  • Portrait display
  • Memory preservation
  • Photo frames replacement

3D Art Display

Creative use:

  • Digital sculptures
  • 3D artwork
  • Artist portfolios
  • Gallery display

Design Review

Professional:

  • 3D model viewing
  • Design presentation
  • Client review
  • Prototype visualization

Education

Learning:

  • Anatomy models
  • Scientific visualization
  • Interactive learning
  • Museum displays

Digital Signage

Commercial:

  • Retail displays
  • Product showcases
  • Attention-grabbing
  • Marketing tool

Product Lineup

Looking Glass Portrait

Personal display:

  • Size: 7.9"
  • Price: $299
  • Desktop use
  • Consumer market

Looking Glass Go

Portable version:

  • Compact/portable
  • Wi-Fi connected
  • Mobile display
  • Travel-friendly

Looking Glass 16"

Larger display:

  • OLED panel
  • Professional size
  • Higher resolution
  • Premium market

Looking Glass 32"

Large format:

  • Biggest option
  • Commercial use
  • Maximum impact
  • Professional installations

Comparison with 3D Displays

Feature Looking Glass Portrait Traditional 3D TV VR Headset AR Glasses
Glasses Required No Yes (active/passive) Headset Yes
Multi-Viewer Yes Limited No (single) No (single)
Head Tracking No No Yes Yes
Form Factor Desktop display Large TV Head-worn Head-worn
Perspectives ~100 2 (L/R) Unlimited Variable
Interaction Optional gesture Remote Controllers Gestures
Price $299 $500+ $299-$3,500 $299-$3,500

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

  • Glasses-free 3D viewing
  • Multiple viewers simultaneously
  • 100 perspectives (light field)
  • 58° viewing cone
  • Onboard Raspberry Pi (standalone)
  • 2048 × 1536 resolution
  • 60Hz refresh rate
  • $299 affordable price
  • Unity/Unreal/Blender plugins
  • Compact 7.9" size (1.3 lbs)
  • Optional gesture control

Limitations

  • 58° limited viewing cone
  • Fixed display (not head-tracked)
  • Requires holographic content creation
  • Not full-room 3D (desktop only)
  • Content conversion learning curve
  • Resolution shared across perspectives
  • Limited to static/video content
  • Not interactive VR
  • Power required (no battery)

Technical Specifications Summary

Specification Details
Type Light field holographic display
Display Size 7.9 inches
Resolution 2048 × 1536
Aspect Ratio 4:3
Viewing Cone 58°
Perspectives Up to 100
Refresh Rate 60Hz
Onboard Processing Raspberry Pi 4
Weight 1.3 lbs (660g)
Connectivity HDMI, USB
Price $299

See Also

References