Google reveals $1,000 Project Tango tablet for seeing in 3-D

Developers can sign up to be notified of the upcoming sale of the $1,024 device

U.S. Correspondent, IDG News Service |

Google has unveiled its experimental "Project Tango" tablet for advanced imaging applications, and it wants developers to get to work on it.

The company said Th that developers interested in Google's initiative can begin using its "Project Tango Tablet Development Kit," a tablet featuring specialized cameras for tracking 3-D motility. A previous report had said that Google was readying some iv,000 prototypes of the unit, with the aim of helping Google build a device that can possibly meliorate map the interiors of buildings and other spaces.

Developers can sign up to exist notified when the unit goes on sale later this twelvemonth for $one,024.

"These development kits are designed for professional developers interested in exploring the future of mobile 3D sensing," Google said. Only limited quantities of the kit volition exist available and developers will receive updates as the software algorithms and APIs (application programming interfaces) evolve.

Projection Tango'south goal is to develop a mobile device that uses advanced image sensing to meet the world in much the same way humans do. In Feb Google appear a epitome Android smartphone as role of the effort.

Smartphone GPS frequently doesn't work properly indoors. Possible applications for Google's new technology could include mapping products inside stores, architectural iii-D plans or improved guides for visually impaired people. Some Tango smartphones are even headed into outer infinite for a NASA projection involving robots.

The tablet could back up similar applications or maybe more immersive experiences around gaming. The seven-inch tablet device runs on a NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor and has 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, Wi-Fi, BTLE and 4G LTE. What differentiates information technology, though, are the specialized cameras and "integrated depth sensing" for capturing an environs's geometry.

The invitation to developers for the tablet comes just weeks earlier Google I/O, the company's developer outcome. It's likely that the tablet and the project will be discussed at the event, which may include other related announcements.

Zach Miners covers social networking, search and general technology news for IDG News Service. Follow Zach on Twitter at @zachminers. Zach's eastward-mail address is zach_miners@idg.com

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