Google is said to be creating a pioneering tablet model that will showcase advanced vision capabilities and sensors that can help shoot objects in 3D images, based on several sources.
The prototype tablet is regarded as part of the Project Tango, a research effort of Google. Yes, much like an offshoot of the Project Tango smartphone.
Online sources say people who were briefed by the company on such plans revealed that Google intends to produce around 4,000 of said prototype tablets starting in June. A person who is also familiar with the project, meanwhile, says to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that the tablet prototype could be rolled out even before the annual developer conference of Google which is sometime at the end of June.
What we initially heard of is that the tablet will have a seven-inch screen size, two back cameras and infrared-depth sensors.
Recall that in February, Project Tango also came out with a smartphone prototype that has sensors and the ability to create some kind of a 3D map of the environment of its users. Such technology, from smartphone to tablet, is considered to be helpful in indoor navigation, especially for visually impaired individuals, and for directional use within stores. The technology could also be used to provide a more immersive gaming experience.
Google is not alone, however, on developing and enhancing 3D technology, especially for smartphones and tablets. Facebook is also said to be joining the fray of manufacturers diving into the advanced computer vision technology, as it plans to acquire Oculus VR. Oculus is a manufacturer of high-tech virtual reality headgear.
These two rivals are allegedly trying to outdo each other or at least keep the pace equal in terms of 3D technology. Besides, they got reasons to do so.
"We are physical beings that live in a 3D world," Johnny Lee, Google's Tango Project team head, says in a previous blog post.
However, an analyst at IDC, a research company, thinks Google still faces the challenge of creating functions that are of great use to its consumers.
"It is critical to open the new technology to developers first as the key is how you can translate the technology into practical applications," IDC analyst Bryan Ma says to WSJ.
Google takes it the other way around, though. Research says the company prefers that developers will experiment with its devices, hoping that these developers will come up with applications that will make its devices more appealing to consumers. Its strategy is said to be opposed to Apple's way of developing devices in utmost secrecy prior to consumer rollouts.
As we all know, rumors are rumors, till we see to completely believe. If it were true though, Google's 3D-capable tablet would be an interesting addition to the consumers' table.
