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Magic Leap, an augmented reality (AR) company, has announced a partnership with Google to work together on metaverse solutions and experiences.
The partnership, revealed in a press release on May 30, aims to combine Magic Leap’s advancements in optics with Google’s infrastructure. However, the release does not specify any particular products or solutions that will come from this collaboration.
In a post on X (Twitter) announcing the partnership, Magic Leap discussed various applications of AR, including training employees, creating spatial consumer experiences, designing new buildings, and enhancing medical teams’ ability to visualize patient care.
The post also emphasized that “the transformative potential of AR is endless” and that the partnership with Google would help expand immersive experiences, increase utility, and broaden AR’s reach.
Shahram Izadi, Vice President and General Manager of AR/XR at Google, stated, “By combining efforts, we can foster the future of the XR ecosystem with unique and innovative product offerings.”
This partnership comes as a surprise given that Google recently laid off hundreds of employees in its augmented reality hardware division and central engineering team as part of cost-cutting measures.
Despite these layoffs, Google has maintained a positive stance towards new technologies and Web3.
In May of the previous year, Google Cloud launched a Web3-specific program to support startups and projects in the Web3 space. Additionally, Google has also updated its app store policy to integrate digital assets, including NFTs, into apps, and allowed NFT game ads under strict guidelines.
Last month, Google Cloud introduced a Web3 portal featuring blockchain development tools, including NFT creation. This initiative received mixed reactions from the community; some praised the move, while others expressed concerns about potential monopolization.
