THE NEWS WRAP: Magic Leap is launching an augmented reality developer platform

Augmented reality startup Magic Leap has announced it is launching an augmented reality developer platform, according to TechCrunch.

Last year Google invested more than $600 million in the company, which says it can project light and graphics into the human eye alongside what it sees naturally.

Speaking at the MIT EmTech Digital conference, Magic Leap chief executive Rony Abovitz said the company was ready to start training developers.

“We’re out of the R&D phase and into the transition to real product introduction,” he said.

“There is no off-the-shelf stuff that does what we’re describing.”

Native Americans and domestic violence survivors protest Facebook’s naming policy

Native Americans, domestic violence survivors, drag queens and others have come together to protest at Facebook’s headquarters in response to the company’s policy of only allowing people to use their “real” names.

Fairfax reports more than 50 protesters held up picket signs and chanted outside Facebook’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California.

Facebook says people need to use their real names in order to prevent instances of bullying or inappropriate behaviour on the social network, but has softened that position after complaints from the LGBTIQ community.

However, the protesters said they wanted Facebook to do more by not putting the onus on vulnerable groups to prove their identity.

Apple chief lashes out against companies that compromise customer privacy

Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook has lashed out at companies that make a trade-off between customer privacy and security, according to TechCrunch.

Speaking at the EPIC Champions of Freedom event in Washington, Cook said people have the fundamental right to privacy.

“I’m speaking to you from Silicon Valley, where some of the most prominent and successful companies have built their businesses by lulling their customers into complacency about their personal information,” he said.

“They’re gobbling up everything they can learn about you and trying to monetize it. We think that’s wrong. And it’s not the kind of company that Apple wants to be.”

Overnight

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 28.43 points, falling 0.16% to 18,011.94. The Aussie dollar is currently trading at around 77.72 US cents.

Do you know more on this story or have a tip of your own? Raising capital or launching a startup? Let us know. Follow StartupSmart on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.