Lenovo has announced that a device it is calling as Phab 2 Pro will be coming to the United States on Nov. 1. This bit of technology should be of great interest to you not for its uninspired name but for the fact that it will effectively be the very first device to ship with Google's Project Tango technology.
It is not specifically clear why Google chose the Phab 2 Pro as the Project Tango's launch pad. A look at the device's spec sheet shows no standout hardware component except perhaps for the fact that it has a humongous QHD screen and a massive 4,050 mAh battery.
The phablet runs on a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB internal storage and has a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera. Even Lenovo's description will not be able to provide you with deeper insight.
"With Lenovo Phab 2, every commute is like a trip to the cinema," the company said in its online store. "Experience true immersive multimedia with the stunning 6.4-inch HD screen and incredible Dolby Atmos audio.
It is clear, however, that Google deemed all the Phab 2 Pro's components worthy for its latest project. In addition to the screen real estate, the device is also expected to have the capacity to effectively convey 3D space using motion tracking, depth perception and area learning. All these are purportedly done by the device's camera sensors.
For the uninitiated, Project Tango is a technology that directs the mobile device's hardware to detect its own location in 3D through advanced infrared sensors.
"Tango lets you see more of your world. Just hold up your phone, and watch as virtual objects and information appear on top of your surroundings," Google explained. "So no matter where you are, there's always a richer, deeper experience to engage with, explore and enjoy."
Project Tango seems quite revolutionary. It can, for instance, provide some semblance of augmented reality experience by bringing virtual objects into the real world. It can also allow users to reimagine actual surroundings with virtual objects. It is exciting to know, therefore, that all these capabilities will be made available to the Phab 2 Pro.
This has been underscored in the way Lenovo has delayed the device's launch. It was originally slated for a summer release but the rollout got pushed to this fall, possibly because of the nature and breadth of Project Tango as a new technology.
The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is expected to retail for $499 at Best Buy. It is also now available in several Asian markets.
