Google and Magic Leap have just unveiled a ‘strategic technology partnership ‘, a move that underscores Google’s determination to stay competitive with industry giants like Meta and Apple in the race to dominate the AR headset market. This strategic alliance could potentially outshine the Meta smartglasses, a testament to the significance of this partnership.
In a blog post on Thursday, Magic Leap said that the two companies have agreed to a partnership. A Google spokesperson confirmed the agreement.
The announcement, while light on specifics, adds to the growing anticipation that Google might be gearing up for a comeback in the augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies market, a move that could potentially reshape the industry landscape.
The partnership between Magic Leap and Google is a fusion of their respective strengths. Magic Leap, based in Florida, brings its expertise in optics and device manufacturing to the table, while Google contributes its advanced technology platforms. This collaboration promises a potent blend of innovation and technological prowess.
“We’ve shipped a couple of different versions of augmented reality devices so far, so we’re out there delivering things, and Google has a long history of platforms thinking,” Magic Leap’s Chief Technology Officer Julie Larson-Green told Reuters in an interview ahead of the announcement.
“So we’re thinking, putting our expertise and their expertise together, there are lots of things we could end up doing,” she said.
Google is an investor in Magic Leap, which Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund mainly owns. The startup was an early darling in the AR headset space. However, it struggled to find a consumer niche and, more recently, started exploring arrangements to license its technology or produce components for others.
Michael Kozlowski has been writing about audiobooks and e-readers for the past twelve years. His articles have been picked up by major and local news sources and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.