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Documents associated with Magic Leap’s One-branded mixed reality (MR) headset have now reportedly been discovered to have hidden details regarding at least some specifications of the device. More specifically, documentation associated with the source code for the product’s field of view (FoV) seems to have contained the details of that aspect since the devices began rolling out to developers. The hidden specs refer to a 4:3 display ratio – with the FoV being 40-degrees horizontally and 30-degrees vertically. The diagonal FoV is set at 50-degrees. That results in a large housecat fitting completely within view at a distance of 40-inches or three people standing six feet tall at a distance of 144-inches. In the latter example provided in the documentation, the horizontal viewing length 104-inches long and height is 77-inches. A 90-inch television would fit completely within the viewing area at around 110-inches.
The reason it took so long for that to be discovered is that the figures in question were ‘commented out’ of the code. That means that they were marked up within the code for the document as comments, which don’t show up for users when the file runs. Initially, the file simply informed users that the information would come soon, alongside the launch of the technology. An unnamed developer reportedly later discovered the code while exploring the documentation. Beyond the FoV stats, the code also reveals that Magic Leap is using the term ‘viewing frustrum’ rather than ‘field of view.’ That’s because the company says FoV is a 2D-related term and shouldn’t be used in a discussion about 3D spaces for mixed reality, giving rise to the need for new terminology. An example experience for developers, called “Rain” is also present and pointed too within the comments. That outlines best practices for utilizing a vignette around the edges of the FoV in order to reduce the jarring effect of hard cropping.
In comparison to comparable headsets, Magic Leap’s One MR gives developers much more to work with. For example, Microsoft’s current HoloLens is 45-percent smaller, with Magic Leap surpassing the viewing width by around a third and the height by just short of double the former company’s offering. That’s not necessarily revolutionary and could be to the detriment of the company if competition in the space continues to increase.
