ASUS could reveal its Tango-based ZenFone AR phone at CES 2017

Another smartphone that will use Google’s Tango 3D mapping technology maybe revealed in the near future. A new report claims that Asus CEO Jerry Shen could reveal that phone, the ZenFone AR, as part of the company’s announcements in early January during the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

This new report comes from Digitimes, who claims this info came directly from Shen. With that said, it’s best if we take this information with a grain of salt.

Tango, which Google has been developing for years, uses its technology to map out the outside world with its camera. The smartphone can then use that map for AR-based games and apps. Earlier this month, Lenovo launched the first commercial smartphone with a Tango-based camera, the 6.4-inch Phab 2 Pro.

Today’s report said that the ASUS ZenFone AR will come with “advanced functionality and performance at a competitive price”, according to Shen. However, that’s all we know about the device at the moment. Hopefully we will learn much more at CES 2017.

The same report also stated that the ASUS ZenFone 4 smartphones will begin shipping in the second quarter of 2017. Once again Shen provided little to no details about the phones, other than they will have “enhanced cameras”. Finally, an all-in-one VR device from ASUS could be launched in the third quarter of 2017.