Innovative 'Google' phone lands at Verizon in weeks
The Asus ZenFone AR with Google Tango and Google Daydream will come out this summer on Verizon. It has a few nifty tricks including letting you see clothes in your size before you buy.
- Patrick's play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival.
This summer, Verizon will be the only carrier to sell the Asus ZenFone AR, the first phone with both of Google's reality-altering features.
More from Google I/O 2017
The announcement came during Google I/O, the company's annual developer conference.
For those keeping track, the ZenFone AR is unique because it's the first phone that works with both Google Daydream (for VR) and Tango (for AR). That means you can use it in a headset like the Daydream View for a fully immersive experience, or have it overlay objects and information onto the real world around you using Google's Tango software.
The ZenFone AR offers up a bunch of unique uses. For example, you can view Gap clothes in your size on a digital mannequin (no more fitting rooms?) or you can experiment with different furniture in your living room from Lowe's. There are also apps for YouTube, Netflix and Google Street View.
The ZenFone AR is an important phone because it's the second Tango phone, after the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro . The ZenFone AR looks much more promising because it's thinner and has much better specs than the Phab 2 Pro. All this bodes well for potential sales, especially to those curious about AR.
The Asus ZenFone AR will also go on sale unlocked through other retailers, and will be compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile networks.
For more about Google I/O and other announcements check out all of our coverage.
First published May. 18, 10:37 a.m. PT.
Update, 3:10 p.m.: Adds comments that Verizon will be the exclusive wireless provider and unlocked versions compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile will be sold through other retailers.