ASUS Announces ZenFone AR
World’s first AR and VR smartphone that is Tango enabled and Daydream-ready
Las Vegas, USA (4th January, 2017) — ASUS today announced ZenFone AR, a next-generation smartphone that represents a significant advance in mobile virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. It is the first smartphone that will be Tango enabled and Daydream-ready. Tango is a set of sensors and computer-vision software by Google that enables smartphone augmented reality. Tango technologies add three key capabilities — Tango motion tracking, Tango depth perception, and Tango area learning — to enable smartphone augmented reality to create unique AR user experiences, such as AR gaming, AR utilities, and indoor navigation. Daydream is Google's platform for high-quality, mobile virtual reality and supports Daydream VR apps. Paired with the Daydream View headset and controller, ZenFone AR will be able to let users explore new worlds, kick back in their personal VR cinema, and play games that put them at the center of action. ZenFone AR was developed in close cooperation with Google to deliver the best AR and VR experiences.
ZenFone AR is the thinnest and lightest Tango enabled device. This breakthrough in size and weight is made possible by the innovative ASUS TriCam™ system, a three-camera system consisting of a 23MP PixelMaster 3.0 main camera, a motion-tracking camera, and a depth-sensing camera that meet Tango specifications. Unlike three-camera systems in other devices, the design of the ASUS TriCam system clusters its array of cameras to reduce their footprint within the phone, enabling the entire phone to be thinner and lighter.
ZenFone AR features a powerful Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 821 processor that is optimized for Tango, and is the world's first smartphone with 8GB of RAM. ZenFone AR's powerful performance and innovative camera work in conjunction with Tango technology to enable smooth and compelling smartphone AR experiences. A beautiful, 5.7-inch WQHD Super AMOLED display and a new five-magnet speaker makes Daydream’s virtual reality apps, games, and videos more immersive and entertaining. Android™ 7.0 ‘Nougat’ lets users get the most out of ZenFone AR with new multitasking features and other enhancements that deliver a great mobile experience.
ASUS TriCam system for Tango experiences
ZenFone AR uses an ASUS TriCam system consisting of three rear cameras — a motion-tracking camera, depth-sensing camera and high-resolution 23MP PixelMaster 3.0 camera — which provide input to Tango, enabling smartphone augmented reality experiences for users. The motion-tracking camera lets ZenFone AR keep track of its location as it moves through three-dimensional space. The depth-sensing camera lets ZenFone AR determine its distance from objects by projecting an infrared (IR) laser and measuring the amount of time it takes for IR light to bounce off objects and return to the phone. The 23MP PixelMaster 3.0 camera features a Sony IMX318 image sensor to vividly capture the environment as a backdrop for AR experiences.AR is a rapidly growing area of mobile technology, and one that consumers are extremely excited about. ASUS and Google have partnered with well-known brands, such as Gap, to bring the smartphone AR experience to customers. Tango also provides developers with the ability to deliver consistent AR experiences across devices and helps users easily discover a wide range of new apps, such as exciting games, home decor utilities, and apps that provide new ways to explore. To date, the ecosystem has grown quickly and there are plenty of apps on Google Play that are Tango enabled.