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Tango-enabled Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is finally available

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You’ve likely come across a few augmented reality products and apps already. These range from Microsoft’s insanely expensive HoloLens to the Pokémon Go game we’ve had too much of. Unlike virtual reality, which places you in a totally separate world, augmented reality adds virtual layers to real surroundings. The now-available Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is designed to push AR even further, with a little help from Google’s Tango, of course.

Hold on… Tango? According to the search giant, it’s technology that enables AR utilities and gaming. All you need is a compatible smartphone — the Phab 2 Pro is the first — and the right apps. Once everything is set up, you’ll see visual information laid out in your environment just like in sci-fi movies.

Lenovo Phab 2 Pro rear cameras

Three specially designed rear cameras handle AR duties

To make things possible, the Phab 2 Pro employs three rear cameras consisting of one 16-megapixel shooter (also used for taking regular photos), a depth camera for figuring out distance, and a single fisheye lens for ultra-wide-angle shots.

There’s only one Tango-enabled phone right now and a little over 35 downloadable apps on either the official Tango store or Google Play, but it’s definitely a start, and way more accessible than a HoloLens that isn’t commercially available yet or the discontinued Google Glass.

Want to measure furniture in real time, or draw on objects in your home without making a mess? You need some Tango in your life.

Lenovo Phab 2 Pro gaming

You’ll want the Phab 2 Pro for the AR games

But, as useful as the home improvement programs are, the coolest apps are the games. You can play with a virtual pet in Raise; battle against a dragon in Slingshot Island; and enjoy a relaxing game of dominoes in your living room with Domino World.

The Phab 2 Pro itself is a sweet piece of hardware and doesn’t cost that much for what it offers. Its display is big enough at 6.4 inches, with a Quad HD resolution to make the AR experience as vivid as can be. Powering the hefty smartphone is Qualcomm’s “Tango-optimized” Snapdragon 652 processor and 4GB of RAM.

To make sure the constant use of the camera for AR won’t murder the battery, Lenovo equipped the Phab 2 Pro with a capacity of 4050mAh and its own turbo charging technology. A fourth, 8-megapixel camera is located on the front for the usual selfies. Those into shooting videos will also appreciate the three microphones used for 5.1-channel audio recording.

Lenovo Phab 2 Pro front and back

There’s still a fingerprint sensor located under all the rear cameras

While the Phab 2 Pro feels like a pioneering concept device for Tango, It’s clear the fully aluminum handset is more than capable of doing practically everything else. Google claims its AR initiative will reach more products next year, so it’s nice to have a future-proofed phone in case Tango becomes a hit.

You can buy the Phab 2 Pro in the US for $500 on Lenovo’s official website starting today. Champagne gold and gunmetal gray are the colors of choice.

[irp posts=”4774″ name=”Moto Z Play first look”]

Sources: Lenovo, Google

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3D printing made accessible: Bambu Lab enters Philippine market

Empowering consumers to create tangible objects

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Photos from Rodneil Quiteles

China-based brand Bambu Lab has officially entered the Philippine market in a bid to reshape how consumers perceive and use 3D printing technology.

Established in Shenzhen, China in 2020, Bambu Lab aims to make 3D printing more accessible, practical, and relevant to daily life through printers and other supplies.

The goal is to support practical home use, creative hobbies, product design, and even specialized tools, while putting emphasis on ease of use.

With such optics, Bambu Lab is trying to make consumers feel that there is less deep technical knowledge required and that they can actually create physical objects with 3D printing.

One of their products is the entry-level Bambu Lab A1 mini, which is compact enough to fit on a small desk.

The brand also has more advanced models which are capable of printing multiple colors and materials on a single run.

To complement the hardware ecosystem, Bambu Lab’s open platform MakerWorld lets users browse, select, and print from an extensive library of shared 3D designs directly from their own desktops.

The platform features a wide variety of objects across multiple categories. There’s household items, DIY tools, children’s toys, props, and educational materials.

In the Philippines, Bambu Lab will open its first concept store at One Ayala, Makati City. The concept corner will give mallgoers the opportunity to see the range of 3D printers and consumables firsthand.

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Samsung teases anti-shoulder surfing privacy feature

A “new layer of privacy” coming to Galaxy phones soon

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Samsung has teased a “new layer of privacy” to shield users’ phones primarily from shoulder surfing.

Although there haven’t been any specifics yet, this “new layer” could be quite literal, as in an added display technology on Samsung devices.

Samsung says users can customize it to raise their guard with specific apps, or when entering access details for more private areas of their phones.

Moreover, there are multiple settings for adjusting visibility. This way, users can limit what others can see based on the level of privacy protection they need.

They can likewise choose to protect specific parts of the experience, such as notification pop-ups. In a way, it’s a tailored approach that lets users fine-tune or switch off entirely, rather than a blanket one.

It also eliminates the need to go through apps one by one and adjust settings, as in the case of notifications.

Samsung adds that the process took five years of engineering, testing, and refining, hence the careful and deliberate roll-out instead of a sudden one.

This process included studying how individuals use their phones, what they consider private, and how security should feel in everyday life.

The result, Samsung says, is a fusion of hardware and software expertly calibrated to protect users while on their phones.

This latest development is part of a series of Galaxy innovations to keep users safe. Samsung has been introducing topnotch mobile protection with Knox Vault, Knox Matrix, and more features.

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Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold reveals US$ 2,899 price tag

It’s still cheaper than the Huawei Mate XT.

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Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold

Late last year, Samsung finally revealed the Galaxy Z TriFold, its official entry into the three-paneled market. Even only from its initial announcement, the Galaxy Z TriFold already looks mighty good, more so than its Android-less counterpart from Huawei. But, as with everything, it still depends on the price. How much will Samsung’s trifold phone cost? Now, we have an idea.

Today in the United States, Samsung has announced that the Galaxy Z TriFold will already be available in the country starting this week. From January 30, users can start trying out the phone for themselves in Samsung Experience Stores. They can also grab the device through Samsung.com.

Because the phone is already available, the price tag is out as well. In the United States, the Galaxy Z TriFold will set you back by at least US$ 2,899.

Despite how eye-watering that price is, it’s still a step below the Huawei Mate XT when that launched last year. (For reference, the Android-less Mate XT launched for a miserable EUR 3,499.)

Still, spending almost three thousand dollars on a phone might not be the most appealing decision for a lot of people. This price is also almost a full thousand dollars more than the Galaxy Z Fold7, which starts at US$ 1,999. On the bright side, the Galaxy Z TriFold is taking a big step in “democratizing” the trifold market before it takes over the industry.

If you’re interested in adding this to your cart, the Galaxy Z TriFold has a huge 10-inch screen, a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. It also has a 200-megapixel main camera and a 5600mAh battery.

All that in mind, is US$ 2,899 a justifiable price for the Galaxy Z TriFold?

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