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Originally I found the Magic Leap extremely exciting, because in contrast to phones or tablets, whose touchscreens limit what sort of applications are feasible
by clickok 8y ago
Originally I found the Magic Leap extremely exciting, because
in contrast to phones or tablets, whose touchscreens limit what sort of applications are feasible, AR could allow for arbitrary interfaces.
These interfaces could be present alongside the real world, making them both more convenient and maybe less of an attention-vortex.
This is (among other things) what Magic Leap pitched, and comparing the actual product to their press releases is to note a vast discrepancy.
Still, hope springs eternal, so while I wasn't impressed, I know how hard AR is and I wasn't inclined to judge too harshly-- maybe it will get better as technology improves.
After having read the article, I find myself rooting for them to fail.
This is a company that has taken (and arguably squandered) billions of dollars to release a slightly cheaper HoloLens.
Instead of feeling abashed, they continue blithely on, even having the temerity to invite developers to their platform because the rest of the world (and in particular, other platforms) has so much "baggage" and "negativity".
As the article notes, this is a company that is propped up by oligarchs, settles sex discrimination lawsuits, and is pursuing military contracts with repressive regimes.
Although to be fair, improving soldiers' lethality is the only use case they've articulated that justifies the price.
Now that the missed expectations and general shadiness are starting to catch up with them, they're moving to attract developers.
Somehow, despite all the money, they haven't been able to pay for an idea to justify the hype-- what else could you call it but a con?
- pg_bot 8y agoI generally agree with everything you've said except for the act of settling a sex discrimination lawsuit being a negative signal. The existence of a sex discrimination lawsuit is certainly not a positive signal for any prospective employer, but it takes both parties to come to an agreement to settle. Settlement is also the overwhelmingly likely outcome of most lawsuits (> 90% chance). The prospect of going to trial concentrates the mind wonderfully. A clarity descends. Sometimes you learn things about your own case that you didn't know before. (that it sucks - maybe) Trials can be unpredictable, better to come to an agreement that both parties can live with than to roll the dice.
- Paradigma11 8y agoThe problem is that the harasser is most likely in a position of power and can afford to live comfortably with quite a few such agreements.
- pg_bot 8y agoI don't think you understand the difference between civil and criminal law. Almost all sexual harassment cases are going to be civil cases, where the only recompense a defendant can expect is monetary. No one is going to jail over a typical sexual harassment case. Now, if a crime such as sexual battery or rape was committed, criminal charges would likely follow. If you win a case you get will get paid whatever is due to you, a wrong will be righted and people will move on with their lives. I understand that you may be dissatisfied with this arrangement, but we don't have time machines so there is no other recourse. All lawsuits fall on a spectrum, there are strong and frivolous cases that settle and go to trial. It's impossible to make a judgement call without hearing the details of a case. If you want to risk going to trial on principle, you may find out that principles are very expensive.
- DonHopkins 8y agoFortunately we can all read the details of this particular case in the lawsuit, enabling us to more fairly and easily make a judgement call. https://regmedia.co.uk/2017/02/14/magic-leap-sex-discrimination.pdf https://regmedia.co.uk/2017/02/14/magic-leap-sex-discriminat...
- titanomachy 8y agoIs discrimination the same thing as harassment?
- DonHopkins 8y agoWould you consider this discrimination or harassment? https://regmedia.co.uk/2017/02/14/magic-leap-sex-discrimination.pdf https://regmedia.co.uk/2017/02/14/magic-leap-sex-discriminat... >Euen Thompson, an IT Support Lead, on November 16, 2016, gave a tutorial to a group of seven new hires, including two women, how to use Magic Leap’s IT equipment and resources. One woman asked Thompson a question in front of the group and Thompson responded, “Yeah, women always have trouble with computers.” The women in the group, in apparent disbelief, asked Thompson to repeat what he said and Thompson replied, “In IT we have a saying; stay away from the Three Os: Orientals, Old People and Ovaries.”