Microsoft executive vice president Peggy Johnson is leaving the software giant and will assume the CEO role at Magic Leap, maker of an erstwhile HoloLens competitor.

“Since its founding in 2011, Magic Leap has pioneered the field of spatial computing, and I have long admired the relentless efforts and accomplishments of this exceptional team,” Ms. Johnson said in a prepared statement. Magic Leap’s technological foundation is undeniable, and there is no question that has the potential to shape the future of XR and computing.”

There’s also no question that Magic Leap has failed, and dramatically, to offer a viable alternative to Microsoft’s augmented reality (AR) solution, HoloLens. Its Magic Leap One headset has been described as “vaporware” thanks to its many years of development and billions of dollars of investment. The firm first announced the product in early 2015 and crashed hard when it finally shipped in late 2019. Magic Leap laid off half its staff in April.

“As CEO, I look forward to strategically building enduring relationships that connect Magic Leap’s game-changing technology and pipeline to the wide-ranging digital needs of enterprises of all sizes and industries,” Ms. Johnson says. “It is with great pride and sincere appreciation to the Magic Leap Board, Rony[,] and the entire team, as well as to Satya Nadella at Microsoft, that I assume the role of leading this visionary business into the future.”

Peggy Johnson joined Microsoft in 2014 after a 24-year career at Qualcomm.

Tagged with AR, augmented reality, HoloLens, Magic Leap