Augmented reality: the Magic Leap 2 is available for sale in France (yes but…)

the Magic Leap 2real AR glasses designed by the eponymous American company, is finally available for sale in France. A priori, there is something to be enthusiastic about: the device is twice as compact and 20% lighter than its predecessor, has a technology “dynamic dimming” which improves the rendering of AR objects and makes them more “solid” in the real environment, the optics have been improved (AR texts are now easy to read from quite “far away”), and the field of view (FoV) , usually the big black dot of AR helmets/glasses, now goes to 70°.

The most immersive enterprise AR device is now available.

Built for enterprise. Developed for developers. Designed for extended daily use. Learn more and order at the link in our bio. pic.twitter.com/KAOb79lneC

— Magic Leap (@magicleap) September 30, 2022

Inside the Magic Leap 2 are a 4-core AMD Zen 2 processor, a 12.6 megapixel camera accompanied by distance, eye tracking and hand tracking sensors, 256 GB of storage capacity, and a battery capable of holding up to 3.5 hours between two recharges. Let’s move on to the annoying subject: the Magic Leap 2 is offered for sale at nearly 3500 euros for the standard model, more than 4000 euros for the model accompanied by tools for the company and more than 5000 euros for the version while one with a 2-year subscription to a business-oriented functions service.

It’s not so much the prices that are shocking as the fact that Magic Leap has completely abandoned its plan to sell its AR headset to the general public, a complete reversal of the objectives that the company had set at its origin. It’s a shame, and it’s also a nice gift to Apple, the latter now having free rein to convert us humans to the need for AR and its applications.