Looking Glass 4K Gen2 and the 8K Gen2 displays are thinner, lighter, and offer improved optics for better viewing capability.
Extending the new generation of its holographic systems, today Looking Glass Factory has announced two new holographic interfaces—the Looking Glass 4K Gen2 and the 8K Gen2. The first display, Looking Glass Portrait, was announced in December 2020. It is a 7.9-inch holographic display, weighs 1.3 lb (660 g), and has an aspect ratio of 4:3. The second-generation Looking Glass 4K Gen2 and Looking Glass 8K Gen2 are 15.6 inch and 32 inch displays, respectively. While Looking Glass Portrait is available to order, 4K Gen2 and 8K Gen2 systems will ship in Fall this year.
For advanced 3D creation and visualization, 4K Gen2 holographic display provides 1:1 size scale representation of 3D workflows. The company says that 8K Gen2 holographic display is apt for immersive and interactive 3D representations. These displays are compatible with Unity, Unreal, and Blender applications. The company has also standardized the hardware to run on its companion software HoloPlay Studio.
Looking Glass Portrait is available for $299. The new Looking Glass 4K Gen2 is priced at $3000. 8K Gen2 units are $17,500, though for a limited time, units will be available for a special promotional price of $15,000.
The press release as follows:
Looking Glass Factory announces a new line of holographic interfaces
New 4K and 8K holographic interfaces will transform the workplace
Brooklyn, NY and Hong Kong – July 13, 2021 – In December, Looking Glass Factory launched the world’s first personal holographic display, Looking Glass Portrait. That display was the first in a new generation of holographic systems from Looking Glass Factory, which will now include new 4K and 8K systems designed for the workplace that offer a new design and crisper quality, super stereoscopic 3D holograms. The “4K and 8K Gen2” systems are the only 3D holographic interfaces that allow multiple people to view lifelike 3D content simultaneously, improving communication and collaboration at work. The new systems go on pre-order today at Look.glass.
Looking Glass Portrait captured the attention of the world with its successful Kickstarter campaign in December of 2020 and January of 2021 –– a campaign that raised over $2.5M and surpassed the crowdfunding goals of Oculus back in 2012. The second-generation 4K and 8K systems deliver a similar design with technology built from the ground up for better viewing, portability and affordability.
“Our goal with this new generation of holographic interfaces was to create systems that were more accessible to anyone interested in communicating ideas with lifelike realism,” said Shawn Frayne, CEO of Looking Glass Factory. “From Looking Glass Portrait to our Looking Glass 8K Gen2 interface, we are offering a lineup that meets the needs of individuals and enterprises alike.”
The newest generation of Looking Glass systems now consists of three new hardware products — Looking Glass Portrait, Looking Glass 4K Gen2 with its 15.6” display, and Looking Glass 8K Gen2 with its 32” display (the largest available holographic interface on the market). The most notable difference is in the hardware itself, which is now “blockless”, meaning the screen is thinner, the hardware is lighter weight, and the holograms float out of the screen. Improved optics decrease ambient reflections, making group viewability easier. In addition, the 4K system can operate in standalone mode (similar to Looking Glass Portrait), making it easier to use and more portable than the first-generation system.
Looking Glass has also upgraded and standardized its software, including new upgrades to its plugins for Unity, Unreal, and Blender. All systems will now also run on Looking Glass’s new holographic companion application HoloPlay Studio, a purpose-built software application for easy viewing, editing, and syncing of holographic media.
Pricing and availability
Looking Glass Factory’s new lineup will include some new pricing. While Looking Glass Portrait is available for $299, the new Looking Glass 4K Gen2 is $3000. 8K Gen2 units are $17,500, though for a limited time, units will be available for a special promotional price of $15,000.
Looking Glass Portrait has already begun shipping and is available to order on the Looking Glass website. The 4K and 8K holographic interfaces are available to pre-order today at Look.glass with shipments starting in Fall of 2021. A limited number of beta units are available now for interested customers.
