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The ZenFone AR was a peculiar device when it launched. Just looking at the specs, it seems rather beefy for the time—few phones with the Snapdragon 821 had 6/8GB RAM options. This was all intended for use with Google's Project Tango augmented reality platform, but that was unceremoniously killed last December. As a result, the ZenFone AR is getting a $200 price cut.This brings the 6GB RAM / 64GB storage SKU to $399, and the 8GB/128GB SKU to $499. This is a first for the higher-end model, as it didn't see a discount in January.Android Police reviewed the ZenFone AR, concluding that "Tango is cool and all, but you'll likely play with it a few times and never open it (or the apps) again." While the ZenFone AR seems to still be on 7.0 (Nougat), it was updated to the December 2017 security update, and supports the bootloader unlock tool.Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for ASUS to revive the PadFone.Source: Amazon (6/64GB, 8/128GB)
Project Tango was Google's first attempt to bring a solid augmented-reality experience to the average user. It relied on an array of cameras and sensors to accurately map 3D areas, which led the (few) devices supporting Tango to be rather large and expensive. Today, Google announced that it is ending support for the platform.
Google has partnered with another manufacturer to produce a phone with Tango on board, for better or for worse. Stepping up to the plate this time is Asus with the ZenFone AR. The first phone ever to support both Tango and Daydream VR comes in a much, much smaller package than last year's Phab2 Pro from Lenovo, and accomplishes both things in an arguably better manner.
The first phone to be equipped with Google's Project Tango augmented-reality capabilities was the Lenovo Phab2 Pro. If you read our review, you'll know that it wasn't a good experience at all. But another Tango-powered phone is on the way, and you can order it now from Verizon.
In all of the hubbub of yesterday's I/O keynote, Google took some time to mention a few changes and additions coming to Daydream and Tango, its virtual and augmented reality platforms respectively. While we got some interesting news about Standalone and WorldSense, Google has revealed more information about what we can expect from the future of VR/AR.
At I/O two years ago, Google introduced Expeditions, an educational tool allowing teachers to take their classes on virtual reality field trips, and it's since been experienced by more than 2 million students around the world. It could be used with an inexpensive viewer such as Google Cardboard to tour a variety of virtual spaces, such as Antarctica or the International Space Station. During this year's I/O keynote, Google's VP of Virtual Reality Clay Bavor announced a new feature for the app — it now includes an AR mode.
You probably don't need a Tango device. While the Google-developed spatial awareness tech is cool, it's also incredibly niche, and there are only a few fleeting practical applications for its use once you get past the admittedly nifty tech demos. But if you can in fact justify several hundred dollars for a one-off design, there's a way you can save a few bucks today. Lenovo is offering off of the Phab 2 Pro, the first (and very likely only) consumer device with Tango camera tech, bringing it down to $449.99.
Asus is announcing two new smartphones at CES, and each of them is notable for different reasons. There's the ZenFone 3 Zoom (left), which as the name implies, has optical zoom. Then there's the ZenFone AR (right), which was leaked by Qualcomm's site a few days ago.
The first 'phone' (I use that term loosely) with Project Tango was the Lenovo Phab2 Pro. I recommend reading our review if you haven't already, but essentially Tango is the only appealing aspect of the device. It's bulky, not very fast, and expensive.
So with the review of Lenovo's Phab2 Pro up, it should be pretty obvious to everyone how we here at AP feel about Tango. The basic premise is that the capabilities of the project are pretty fantastic, but it is barely more than a novelty for regular consumers. I have lived with and used the platform daily for a few weeks, so I plan to convey my experience and understanding of it in this post.
The Lenovo Phab2 Pro is not the first device to have Google's Tango augmented reality platform, but it's the first one to be aimed at consumers. It's also the first Lenovo-branded smartphone to launch in the US. With the Phab2 Pro, you can see virtual items overlaid in the real world, or explore virtual worlds by moving around in the real one. But let's not forget, this is a phone too. People will presumably buy this product to carry around with them on a daily basis, but it's only available as a $500 unlocked device. So, it's up to Lenovo to make a good pitch to US phone buyers who have more choices than ever before. Although, I think the company might have taken the cliché "go big or go home" a bit too literally.
Welcome to a slightly more niche version of the Android Police app and game roundup. Because I have the Lenovo Phab2 Pro in my hands (note the plural there), we all thought it would be a good idea if we gave a list of the Tango apps and games for this shiny new device. Everything on this list will utilize the power of augmented reality and the sensors in the phone to offer some new experiences.
After years of fiddling around with Project Tango development hardware, Google has partnered with Lenovo to launch the first real consumer Tango device. This is the big day—the Lenovo Phab2 Pro is available for purchase. It's priced at $500, but it won't ship until December.
It's been a long road for Project Tango, but it looks like the first consumer device will be here in less than a week. According to a badge on the Lenovo Store, the Phab 2 Pro will be available for purchase on November 1st, next Tuesday. The Phab 2 Pro is the first phone to feature Google's Tango 3D imaging technology, and it was initially set to release in September before being knocked back to a generic "November" release.
So far there are only two devices that officially support Google's neat-o Project Tango spatial detection technology: the original developer kit (no longer being sold) and the shiny new Lenovo Phab 2 Pro. The latter is set to release next month, so Google is preparing the way with a new first-party app, simply called "Tango." It's available as a free download in the Play Store right now, but without access to either the tablet or the phone, you won't be able to play around with it.
Google has been tinkering with Project Tango for a few years, but all we've seen from that is some expensive development hardware. At Lenovo's summer event, it announced the Phab2 Pro, which would be the first consumer Tango device. It was supposed to come out in September, but that didn't happen. Now, it will reportedly arrive next month.
Google's Project Tango, that awesome tech that allows a gadget to map out three-dimensional spaces, is really cool. But it's taking its damn sweet time getting here: Tango was first announced over two years ago and offered as a developer kit tablet last summer, and the first Tango-capable smartphone was supposed to arrive from Lenovo this month. That seems less than likely now - the store page for the Phab 2 Pro has been adjusted from "coming this summer" to "coming this fall."
Lenovo Tech World is taking place on June 9th in San Francisco. There wasn't much reason to care about Tech World last year, but this time there will be at least one big announcement. The company pre-announced its upcoming Tango phone at CES, and this is where we'll get the specifics. The website also mentions Moto, indicating we could get something official about the upcoming Motorola devices.
Google has been fiddling around with Project Tango for a few years, but there have yet to be any consumer devices. That's expected to change this summer when Lenovo releases a Tango phone, which it previously announced at CES. Now, Google and Lenovo have set up shop in a Barcelona museum to show what Tango can do for you.