In June, Lenovo had promised that the Phab 2 Pro would hit stores in the United States in August, but the launch never materialised. Now, the smartphone is set for release in a few weeks.
The Phab 2 Pro features 6.4-inch Quad-HD (2,560x1,440p) IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 (Tango Edition) SoC processor, a 64GB internal memory with microSD card slot, a 4GB RAM and a 16MP camera.
For most people, its internal hardware might make it appear as just another mid-range phone, but its capabilities are awe-inspiring. The Phab 2 Pro is the world's first smartphone to include Tango —an advance mobile technology from Google that enables augmented reality (AR) gaming and utilities.
Project Tango has been under testing for more than three years. Google's pet smartphone project is the brainchild of ATAP (Advanced Technology and Projects), a former division of Motorola Mobility that has now been acquired by Lenovo. It has many useful applications on numerous real-life activities, specifically 3D-based GPS navigation system and augmented reality gaming.
On the social front, it will be a boon to visually-impaired people, as it can be used to give accurate navigation guidance, when blind people find themselves in an unchartered place or building premises. For instance, while shopping for groceries, the smartphone can take you directly to the shelf containing the product you are looking for.
As far as gaming is concerned, users will able to play character games using their own house as the gaming arena. Other applications include mapping and navigation in underground tunnels, especially during exploring uncharted caves as well sunken ships under water.
Finally, the commercial model of the Project Tango — Lenovo Phab 2 Pro — is ready for launch. It costs $499 and is expected to be released by the end of September or early October. Interested buyers can log into Lenovo's official e-store website and register for the device (HERE).
