Lenovo and Google have announced the first consumer smartphone to launch with the latter’s long-in-development Project Tango augmented reality and 3D mapping technology built in.
The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro will go on sale in September for just $499 unlocked and will arrive with a 6.4-inch QHD display, with 454ppi.
However, the real magic of this “flagship worthy device” comes via the four cameras that help to handle the motion and depth sensing abilities of the Tango software.
Lenovo was joined on stage by Google’s engineering director Johnny Lee who revealed Project Tango will henceforth be known as just Tango.
Lee demonstrated the “Dinosaurs Among Us” app (pictured above) from the American Natural History Museum, which enables users to interact with dinosaurs, learn about them and view them in real size within an AR environment.
The Googler also showcased an app for children that puts an entire AR toybox in the living room “without having to clean up.” The Dominos game enables players to set up virtual dominos in an AR environment and, of course, knock them down.
Related: Project Tango is HoloLens for the masses
US hardware store Lowes also debuted an application (see below) that enables homeowners to trial new looks within their homes.
The cameras also make it easy for those users to accurately measure the dimensions of their rooms and discover whether items would fit without the need for a tape measure.
Elsewhere, the device has Dolby Atmos sound and is the first to include Dolby 5.1 Audio Capture.
There’s a fingerprint sensor, a one handed usage mode as well as a massive 4050mAh battery offering 15 hours of usage. It’ll be available in champagne gold and gun metal unibodies.
However, this is all really beside the point. There real story here is that Google’s Tango tech has finally flowered and looks ready for prime time.
We can’t wait to get a look at this one. Do you share our enthusiasm? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
