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Google Measure, an app that — get this — lets you measure things, debuted in 2016 as a Tango exclusive. But with advances in augmented reality tech in more mainstream handsets, a lot of things only Tango could do are trickling down to devices regular people use. That includes Measure, which is now compatible with ARCore devices.
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.
There has only been one Tango phone up to this point, the hilariously oversized Lenovo Phab2 Pro. Now, Asus is arriving on the scene with a phone that actually looks like a phone rather than a re-badged tablet. The ZenFone AR went on sale through Verizon last night, and now it's live on Amazon as an unlocked device. For a mere $599, you can begin exploring augmented reality, which I hear is way cooler than regular reality.The ZenFone AR has a 5.7-inch 1440p AMOLED display, so it's capable of Daydream VR in addition to AR. At this point, who even needs regular reality? The device is much smaller than the Phab2 Pro was, and all the Tango modules fit in a block on the back of the phone. Inside is a Snapdragon 821, 6-8GB of RAM, and 64-128GB of storage.The version with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage is in stock now on Amazon for $599. The 8/128GB variant can be purchased now, but it won't ship for 2-4 weeks, according to the site. That one is $100 more at $699. These are GSM unlocked, so AT&T and T-Mobile along with the various MVNOs are the targets. CDMA networks aren't supported.Source: Amazon
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.
Tango, beside being a cool dance, is also a chatting application similar to WhatsApp, Telegram, Allo, and countless others. It may not be as well recognized as some of these brands, but it is popular in some countries around the world. And just like many of its competitors, Tango is now spreading from mobile to the desktop.
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.
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.
This is definitely an "Oops" moment for Qualcomm. The chipset manufacturer accidentally leaked/revealed the newest Asus device ahead of the CES announcement. While new devices are sometimes worth getting excited about, this one is actually special: the ZenFone AR, as it is named, will be the second phone with Tango built in. Qualcomm noted in its now removed blog post that the ZenFone AR will use the Snapdragon 821 SoC and that the new phone would also be Daydream-ready. Of course, this would be the first device to run both of Google's augmented and virtual reality platforms.
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.
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.
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 did as expected and announced the Phab2 pro Android phone at Tech World today, making it the first consumer-ready device with Google Tango technology built-in. The leak appears to have been accurate; this is a huge 6.4-inch phone with an array of cameras and sensors on the rear. The phone will launch worldwide in September as an unlocked device for $499.