Magic Leap Could Be The Biggest Advancement In Computing Since The Mouse, And Then Some

It is interesting to consider how we relate to the computers that are now an integral part of everyday life. For a very long time, computers were more or less an appliance, much like a refrigerator, or toaster. Sure, computers could do things that a toaster could only dream of, but in terms of how humans interacted with them, there was some amount of distance.

No one wears a toaster.

But now things are changing quickly, and with the advent of devices like the one that Magic Leap just demoed, it is difficult to say how we will be interacting with computers in the not too distant future.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Magic Leap, don't feel bad. They are an incredibly secretive company who is both well funded, and connected to some of the largest tech players on the planet. They are developing a kind of wearable computer that would fall into the VR/AR space, but their take on this concept is potentially revolutionary.

More Than A Monitor

Many VR/AR products are really just glasses that overlay ghost-like images in a user's field of vision. While there is nothing wrong with that, Magic Leap's product goes a whole lot further. Apparently their wearable 3D mapping computer has been designed to interact directly with the visual cortex in the brain, as well as map the 3D space that the user is in physically.

Also, they prefer to call it Mixed Reality (MR).

It is hard to overstate the kind of changes that a technology like this could create in how we use computers, but moreover, it has the potential to radically affect human psychology.

Up to this point, the screen has been our magic mirror, but it has also been a way to create a firm line between fantasy and reality. First it was the movie screen, then the TV, more recently the computer screen has been our way to interact with a fantasy world, but with the advent of the internet, a level of reality has been introduced into the dynamic.

But, there was still a screen, and that magic screen was what separated the 'virtual' world from the real one. This is why Magic Leap, and the VR/AR space generally is such a powerful area of development.

It has the potential to dissolve the magic mirror, and immerse us in a world where the impossible is reality.

The Power of Secrets

For a company that is creating such an innovative technology, they sure have been able to keep a low profile, in the public eye at any rate. At the highest levels of tech Magic Leap is well known, and can count Google and Alibaba among its investors. But past that, and a recent Rolling Stone interview, very little is known about what goes on inside of the company, or the products they create.

This creates a sense of intrigue to say the least, and no one who has gotten near their technology has been critical of its performance. According to their website, their MR product will be shipping next year to developers. Hopefully this will demystify the company to some degree, and allow the development community to explore just how well this new technological marvel really works.

While Magic Leap's MR product isn't alone in the VR/AR space, there are only a few competitors out there today. Apple recently picked up another secretive VR/AR startup that was based in Montreal, and of course Google and Microsoft are working on their own versions of an immersive VR/AR device.

If you are interested in how all of the tech that is developing right now might come together, the Cantech Investment Conference is a great place to make connections with industry leaders. It will be happening at the Metro Toronto Convention Center, in Toronto, on January 31^st, and some of Canada's leading tech companies will be there to share their ideas.

Registration is now open, and if you preregister, or are a student, there are reduced prices available. In addition to VR/AR, Blockchain and cryptocurrencies, as well as number of advanced technologies like Machine Learning and AI will be on the agenda. There aren't many places where this level of knowledge can be found in one place, and now is the time to learn about how all of these developments could reshape our lives over the next decade.