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Google's Project Tango tablet is ripe for development

The latest tablet from Google is tailor-made for the Android developer community.

Xiomara Blanco Associate Editor / Reviews - Tablets and monitors
Xiomara Blanco is an associate editor for CNET Reviews. She's a Bay Area native with a knack for tech that makes life easier and more enjoyable. So, don't expect her to review printers anytime soon.
Xiomara Blanco
2 min read

The Project Tango tablet was made for developers. Screenshot by Xiomara Blanco/CNET

Google possibly just released one of the best tablets of the year -- it's just not meant for consumers. The Project Tango tablet is geared toward professional developers interested in working on 3D or depth-sensing programs. Available in white or black, the 7-inch Google tablet starts at $512 (international availability has yet to be announced, but pricing converts to about £345 or AU$670).

Though its specs are as robust as those of the best tablets out there, the tablet's integrated feature tracking, depth-sensing and 3D motion technology are what sets it apart. Some of the built-in sensors include your standard accelerometer, gyroscope and compass, but it also packs a motion-tracking camera, barometer and 3D depth-sensing sensor.

The 7-inch tablet features a 1,920x1,200-pixel-resolution IPS display with scratch-resistant Corning glass. It doesn't run the latest version of Google's operating system, Lollipop 5.0, instead opting for Android 4.4 KitKat.

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It's what's on the inside that counts. Screenshot by Xiomara Blanco/CNET

Inside you'll find a powerful Nvidia Tegra K1 processor with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. In addition to NFC and LTE capabilities, it also houses Micro-HDMI and USB 3.0 ports and microSD and SIM card slots.

In terms of design, the Tango tablet isn't as refined as Google's Nexus 9. But, since the Tango is geared toward developers and not consumers, it's understandable that good looks would take a back seat to robust internal specs.

The Project Tango tablet is available for purchase now. Check back for updates on the Google device as they become available.

This is a developing story. Follow CNET's Google I/O live blog and see all of today's Google I/O news.