Just one day ahead of its I/O developers conference, Google has dropped the requirement for an invitation for developers to purchase its special tablet designed for Project Tango.
The device, which is now listed on the Google Play Store for $512, is not a consumer device. Instead, it is more of a software development kit for developers who want to play around with Project Tango's "advanced vision capabilities." In other words, it is a good device they can use to experiment with apps that use 3D and motion sensing.
Project Tango was announced last year as a Google initiative focusing on advanced 3D and motion sensors. Potential applications of these technologies include providing better navigation for the visually impaired, step-by-step directions inside buildings and a more immersive experience for gamers.
The Project Tango tablet was previously pegged at a rather restrictive price of $1,024, which was a way for Google to limit the sale of the development kit to people who were intent on using it for its real purpose. Earlier this year, however, Google dropped the price of the tablet to $512 but required buyers to request an invitation from Google to be able to purchase the device.
Now, on the eve of its I/O keynote, Google is taking away the need for an invitation and has put the Buy Now button for everyone on the Google Play Store. The Mountain View, California search company is also sending emails to Project Tango invitees telling them that "we're opening up sales more broadly, so now is the last chance to buy the device we've reserved for you."
The Project Tango tablet is a seven-inch device outfitted on the back with two cameras equipped with infrared depth sensors. It runs on a powerful NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor and 4GB of RAM and has a massive 128GB storage built into the device. On the front, users get a 1,920 x 1,200 pixel IPS display. The tablet is also equipped with 802.11ab/g/n Wi-Fi, a mini-dock and software that Google says can "capture precise three-dimensional images of objects."
With the invitation to buy the device now removed, anyone, not just developers, can purchase the Project Tango tablet if they wish to, considering it touts good specs that buyers won't find on other tablets. Still, until developers get to create new apps for the tablet, consumers likely won't be able to get the most out of their device.
