Science

Magic Leap Release Date: People Can Finally Start Buying the Magic Leap One

Step into "mixed reality."

Seven years and $2.3 billion worth of funding later, Magic Leap has finally made its long-awaited augmented reality headset available for purchase and delivery in six select cities across the United States. The so-called Magic Leap One Creator Edition is advertised with the ability to superimpose 3D animations and shapes on to the real world, sort of like a Snapchat filer you place over your eyes.

These steampunk-styled goggles start at $2,295 and beginning on August 8 can be shipped to Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle. The startup plans to expand its delivery service by the fall, but until then people residing outside of these areas can still reserve a pair. The headset works as a spatial web browser, a portable entertainment center, and a hub where users can store and interact with photos, videos, and 3D content. A fusion of virtual and augmented reality that the company has dubbed “mixed reality.”

See Also: 6 Biggest Takeaways from the Reveal of Magic Leap’s Mixed-Reality Goggles

While the Magic Leap One can currently be ordered, it’s still in its initial phase of becoming a full-fledged augmented reality platform. A few content creators have developed some interactive widgets and apps, but this announcement primarily serves to put the device in the hands of everyday developers. This way a larger community of AR-enthusiasts have a chance to bring 3D worlds and interfaces to life.

An example of the graphics you can superimpose onto your living room using the Magic Leap One Creator Edition.

Magic Leap

If you do decide to pick one up for a test drive, you’ll be able to use the device’s Helio browser to overlay web content on a wall or whiteboard for a more tactile browsing experience. Magic Leap also tells Inverse it’s partnered with home goods retailer, Wayfair to let customers use AR to redesign their living rooms, and The New York Times to roll out mixed reality news stories.

Much like Apple gives its developers the ability to craft their own virtual worlds with ARKit 2.0, the future of the Magic Leap One will likely be shaped by those passionate enough to help find more innovative uses for the platform.

But give it a year or two and we might be able to replace our laptops for a science fiction-esque visor.