Lenovo unveils world’s first Project Tango phablet

Phab 2 Pro uses Google’s Project Tango technology to enable augmented reality on a handset

Lenovo has unveiled the world’s first handset to ship with Google’s augmented reality platform, Tango.

The Phab 2 Pro is a 6.4 inch phablet that comes with three cameras on the rear, enabling the augmented reality technology. It has a 16MP main rear sensor, plus a depth tracker and motion sensor. It also has a 8MP snapper on the front.

Project Tango allows the phone to recognise where it is in a room without using a GPS tracker or other sensors. Possible uses mentioned at Lenovo’s Tech World 2016 event include measuring parts of a room, visualising how things can fit in a certain space, or interacting with the stars on the device. It can even create blueprints.

Tango engineering director Jonny Lee said: “It’s exciting to announce our first Tango-enabled device. This technology will allow people to measure things, make blueprints and do any other number of innovative things with their smartphone.

“Welcome to the future of home design. We’re excited to bring Tango to the hands of consumers.”

It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with a 4,050mAh battery, which includes 2.4x fast charge technology, and will ship globally in September for $499.