14 DAY TRIAL // In late May we found out Google is not only working on the upcoming Nexus 8 but also has something more futuristic in the pipeline.
Google is looking to expand its Project Tango, a hardware and software endeavor dedicated to creating phones capable of mapping the environment in 3D, by adding tablets to the mix too.
Earlier this year, we saw Google roll out a smartphone-based Tango developer kit and now the company is doing the same in the tablet department.
The tablet-based Tango developer kit has been announced and interested developers can sign up to be notified when the bundle becomes available for purchase. But be warned, this futuristic piece of equipment won’t come cheap, and when it rolls out later in 2014, it will set you back with a hefty $1,024 / €750.
Now let’s see what you get spec-wise. Like Xiaomi’s recently unveiled MiPad, the Google Tango tablet will be powered by NVIDIA’s latest Tegra K1 processor architecture fitted with 4GB of RAM. The slate will have a 7-inch display, but we’re not given the specifics regarding resolution.
Moving on, developers will find the tablet comes with 128GB of storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy. Google is also willing to throw in 4G LTE support for some of the models.
But what truly sets the Tango tablet apart is the integrated cameras and sensors which help the device “sense” the world around it.
Basically, developers are invited to create apps that could virtually allow users to change their environments, like changing how furniture is arranged around the house.
This is something akin to the romantic Science Fiction “HER” where the main character played by Joaquin Phoenix chases a virtual character through his living room, while playing a game.
The dev tablet bundles a front-facing camera with 120 degree viewing angle, a 4MP, 2 μm pixel camera on the back, an additional motion-tracking camera plus an embedded depth sensor.
Looking at things into perspective, it doesn't seem realistic that Google will be selling Tango tablets for around $1,000 / €732, but the company does seem to have developed the habit of selling their dev products for premium prices.
For example, developers enrolled with the Google Glass Explorer program had to spend $1,500 / €1,098 to get their hands on the controversial wearable.
Anyway, if you’re interested in acquiring the dev kit, you should know NVIDIA has set up a page detailing the project, so go check it out.
