Computer technology company and smartphone maker Lenovo announced that is has partnered with Google to develop a Project Tango-enabled smartphone at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The first consumer mobile device to feature Google's Project Tango is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, and offers users the ability to turn the screen into a window that overlays digital information and objects onto the real world.
"To break new ground in today's hypercompetitive smartphone and tablet industries, we must take innovation risks — it's the only way to truly change the way people use mobile technology," Chen Xudong, senior vice president and president of Lenovo, said in a press release on Jan. 7. "Together with Google we're breaking down silos by working across mobile hardware and software. Turning our shared vision into reality will create a more holistic product experience that captures the imagination of today's consumer."
Project Tango is the technology platform developed by Google that uses computer vision, depth sensing and motion tracking to create on-screen 3D experiences. A sensor in the Project Tango device captures 3D dimensions of the room, and uses motion sensing technology to react to the user's movements, such as when they move forward and backward.
This means that users will be able to explore physical environments via their devices. The software will be able to transform a living room into a game level or allow the user to feel like they have stepping into augmented and virtual worlds. Project Tango will also allow users to navigate through a shopping mall, or even find a specific item at the store where that information is available, Lenovo notes. And with the sensors in the device, enabled devices can capture the 3D dimensions of the room, giving measurements that can be used when shopping for furniture or decorations.
"By working with Lenovo, we'll be able to make Project Tango more accessible to users and developers all over the world to both enjoy and create new experiences that blend the virtual and real world," Johnny Lee, Project Tango lead at Google, said in a press release.
The companies are inviting developers to help grow the Project Tango app ecosystem to create a variety of immersive apps for users. Developers interested can submit their app proposals at https://www.google.com/atap/project-tango/app-incubator now until Feb 15. Developers will have a chance to win funding to have their app be featured on the Lenovo smartphone.
The Project Tango-enabled smartphone will be available in the summer of 2016.
Source: Lenovo
