Google has been working on its augmented reality (AR) platform Project Tango for sometime now. The system had an in-depth showcasing at the recent Google I/O conference and the ‘project’ now seems to have been dropped. Now tech company Lenovo has announced the first Tango compatible smartphone the Phab 2 Pro.
Making the reveal at the Lenovo Tech World event, the Phab 2 Pro features a 6.4 inch display, housed inside a metal body. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor, the screen is quad HD, there’s 4GB RAM packed inside, a fingerprint scanner and 4,000 mAh battery.
But its the inclusion of Tango thats sets the device apart from its siblings. Using four cameras, including a wide-angle and depth sensing unit, the device will be able to map out areas, track objects and place items into a users field-of-view. The tech isn’t built with virtual reality (VR) headsets in mind, and with the screen size wouldn’t actually fit.
The potential for Tango to change the way consumers use their smartphones is massive. From new immersive videogames to location based services that can show you where to go or sights to see, developers are just starting to explore the possibilities.
And one of those developers is Funomena with its AR project Woorld. First announced at Google I/O the app is a light hearted exploration title that will launch alongside the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro in September 2016. For those interested in the latest AR technology the Phab 2 Pro will retail for $499 USD.
VRFocus will continue to follow Google’s Tango platform, reporting back with any further announcements.
