January 2024 Release - 1.5.0
The first release of 2024 marks an exciting major version update to our Unity SDK: OpenXR support! This comes as part of our long term effort to make it easier for developers to build cross-platform applications for the Magic Leap 2. This release also marks the beginning of a new update cycle for Magic Leap software. Read on to learn how this will affect existing applications and future builds.
Release Schedule Change
The cadence of stable OS releases is increasing. Starting with version 1.5.0, a new OS version will be released every six weeks. This change allows us to increase the frequency at which we release new features, while providing faster turnaround times for bug fixes and improvements.
Release Highlights
- Unity SDK 2.0.0 Update
- Unreal Engine Plugin 1.2.0 Update
- OS 1.5.0 System & Performance Updates
- Application Simulator for Unity Deprecation Notice
Featured Guides
OpenXR Overview
New to the OpenXR standard? Use this guide to get a better understanding of the changes and how this will apply to your development process.
Unity OpenXR Getting Started
Use the guides in this section to get started in building or updating your Unity application to the new OpenXR API.
Unreal Engine Supported Features
The Unreal Engine SDK has gone from preview to general availability. We’ve added a new guide documenting the full list of features currently supported by our Unreal Engine SDK, including input, perception, environment understanding, and more!
Hand Tracking
We’ve created new hand tracking guides to help you use our improved hand-tracking capabilities. This developer guide explains how hand tracking works and how to use hand tracking APIs. This design guide provides best practices for designing apps that include hand tracking.
Third-Party Tools : VNTANA
VNTANA offers automated 3D file optimization and asset management services which can enable Magic Leap 2 developers to work with large 3D files within their applications either through prior compression using the VNTANA software or by integrating the VNTANA API directly into their Magic Leap 2 application. Learn more in our overview guide.
SDK Release Highlights
C SDK
The 1.5.0 update brings various API documentation improvements as well as an update to the ml_webview.h header to eliminate the deprecated API dependency (ml_native_surface.h).
Unity SDK
The 2.0.0 Unity update comes with numerous new OpenXR input APIs, replacing the Magic Leap XR Plugin with the OpenXR Plugin as the direct XR provider dependency package.
Unreal SDK
The Unreal SDK is now generally available. The 1.2.0 update for the Unreal Engine SDK comes with an updated Magic Leap fork of Unreal 5.3.2. It also comes with new OpenXR Localization Map, System Notifications, User Calibration and Marker Tracking plugins and a new examples project.
OpenXR SDK
The 1.5.0 SDK now has official support for XR_ML_localization_map, XR_ML_user_calibration, and XR_ML_facial_expressions extensions, and experimental support for XR_ML_spatial_anchors and XR_ML_spatial_anchors_storage. The OpenXR samples package also contains new Marker Understanding and Palm Pose sample apps.
Application Simulator for Unity Deprecation Notice
Beginning with Magic Leap Unity SDK package version 2.0.0, the Magic Leap Application Simulator for Unity package will be officially deprecated and will be removed six months from this announcement. This decision comes as a response to community feedback and our ongoing effort to improve the developer experience.
Application Simulator will continue to be accessible to Unity developers through the Magic Leap Hub module. For more information on using the standalone Application Simulator with Unity, please visit the Application Simulator documentation.
Systems & Performance
Trial Support for Remote Rendering
Trial support feature allows developers using the Base license tier to see the increased quality that will be provided by rendering content remotely. The trial for Remote Rendering lasts 15 minutes. Note that users with Developer Pro and Enterprise license already have the remote rendering entitlement.
AR Cloud Localization and Mapping Services
Version update of the localization and mapping services to version 2.0.10.
Changes included in version 2.0.10:
- Compute platform optimizations: AR Cloud Localization and Mapping Services targets now microarchitectures that support x86-64-v3. AR Cloud should therefore not be deployed on platforms that do not support x86-64-v3 .
Battery Saver Default ON or OFF
Settings changed to support Battery Saver ON by default for ‘clean’ (erase userdata) flashing of the latest software build and for factory reset use case. For upgrade use cases (e.g., upgrading from a prior software release without erasing user data), the existing Battery Saver setting will be retained.
QR code for license activation
A QR code (available in email with the license key) can be used to populate the license key and license type fields necessary for license activation.
Eye gaze vector in device coordinates
Three parameters, vergence, gaze and eyeball center will be available in device as well as world coordinates.
Fixed Issues
Magnetometer Calibration
Updated Compass calibration app with a variable period of calibration; maximum 2 minutes and stops the process once enough data samples are collected.
Visit the 1.5.0 OS Release Notes for more information.
1.5.0 Package Version Guide
Listed below are the version numbers of the packages that comprise the update:
- Magic Leap OS - 1.5.0 [B3E.231116.09-R.096]
- Unity SDK -2.0.0
- C SDK - 1.5.0
- Unreal SDK - 1.12.0
Reminder: if you update to the latest SDK, you also need to update the OS on your device. If you are using Unity, be sure to use the versions listed above for full compatibility. After you download the packages listed above, check out our setup guides.