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Intel’s new smartphone has a Kinect-like 3D RealSense camera
At CES 2016 this week, Intel revealed that their new smartphone will feature a 3D-sensitive camera that is able to recognize 3D objects and gestures. This ‘RealSense’ camera, identified as ZR300, works together with an accelerometer, gyroscope, and a lens offering a wide field of view for broad motion capturing.
Intel explained that their RealSense Camera ZR300 uses time stamping between sensors to provide advanced feature tracking and synchronization. Since it is able to stream at VGA resolution at 60 frames per second, this makes its tracking extremely nuanced. It supports Google’s Project Tango’s specs, and its indoor area mapping technology and area-learning capabilities make this tech a natural partner for augmented reality, virtual reality, and drone control.
The camera might not sport the highest quality resolution – the main camera is an 8 MP RGB and the selfie-snapper is 2 MP RGB – but what this device brings to the table is camera functionality that seeks to wed the smartphone more fluidly with emerging technologies, not transform its user into the next Ansel Adams.
And camera aside, the rest of the device is a pretty solid upper-mid-range smartphone. This is a developer’s smartphone, not a device for the mass public. It’s intended for users who want to experiment with the RealSense camera on a mobile platform and put it to use in apps. The $399.99 price tag makes its 2GB of RAM and Atom x7-Z8700 processor justifiable, but some users may balk at its lack of 4G LTE support: 3G is as high as you’ll go with this device.
What do you think of Intel’s RealSense camera and the smartphone housing it? If you’re interested, you can pre-order a developer’s kit from Intel. As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to click the button below to keep abreast of all our CES 2016 coverage!