Google release AR promo video featuring Asus Zenfone AR in the wild

May 22, 2017 Categories: News, V570KL, Video, Zenfone AR, ZS571KL by 0 Comments

It’s one thing to talk about a new technology but it’s another thing to see it out in the wild. Some things sound great on paper but in reality they aren’t very interesting at all. Google has high hopes for VR and AR and Asus is making a splash with their upcoming Zenfone AR.

So the AR technology is going to be the next big thing if you ask the “experts”. If you recall 3D was supposed to be the next big thing also and how many of us are sitting in our living rooms watching 3D television and movies? Yes, just as I suspected.

The classroom environment is a massive market and with this Google promotional video, kids seems thrilled at AR technology. Some snippets of this video were played during the Google I/O keynote presentation but here is the full video. The kids seem genuinely impressed and excited. Considering they probably have around $5,000+ worth of smartphones in their classroom I would hope they are excited!

Anything that can enhance learning for kids should be promoted. Schools can adopt technology to make learning more fun and perhaps Google AR is going to make that possible. There are many enterprise uses for AR and with it being a new technology, the next couple years is going to be an interesting time. Let’s see what the possibilities are!

Price of the Zenfone AR is not yet known, however I suspect it would be in around the Zenfone 3 Deluxe pricing. It’s coming to the US as a Verizon exclusive this summer. An interesting thought is whether Google is going to help Asus lower the price on the device. Certainly Intel in the past has helped with pricing and it’s still unclear if Google might have the ability to help Asus lower the price on their Zenfone AR. It makes sense for Google to help this phone sell, that’s for sure.

Our Zenfone 3 Laser (ZC551KL) review is up!

May 22, 2017 Categories: Review, ZC551KL, Zenfone 3 Laser by 0 Comments

We just finished up our Zenfone 3 Laser review! A few more pieces to add but it’s pretty much all there now.

Our conclusion is that for the price, it’s an excellent option. Not everyone needs the latest and greatest hardware and the Zenfone 3 Laser is targeted to those people. An overall package that’s going to get the job done without having to break the bank. The main selling point is the FHD 1920 x 1080p display which is almost a necessity in the HD world we live in these days with videos and streaming content.

The review comes at a good time because we’ve started to see Zenfone 3 Laser price drop in Canada and the US market. In Canada for example, you can see prices as cheap as $249 which is a $30 savings. These types of sale prices should become more common these days so start shopping.

If you need a second phone or have a child in desperate need of a smartphone, check out the Zenfone 3 Laser.

Read our full Zenfone 3 Laser (ZC551KL) review here.

New Asus Zenfone (X015D) shows up at TENAA – Is it the Zenfone 4 Max?

May 20, 2017 Categories: News, TENAA by 0 Comments

This is a curious spotting indeed. TENAA has a new Zenfone showing up by the model number X015D. This model has shown up on GFXBench and showed a 1.5GHz MT6750 processor, 1280 x 720 resolution, 5.5-inch display, Android 7.0, 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. With the additional TENAA information, the X015D comes with either 32GB or 64GB storage, 4GB or 3GB RAM, weighs 175g, comes with 3 cameras (dual rear and front facing) and packs in a 4,850mAh battery.

We are wondering out loud if this is the Zenfone 4 Max. The battery is certainly beefy, just shy of 5,000mAh and the resolution is not FHD meaning it’s more budget orientated. It could also be a new Zenfone Pegasus as well. Why don’t we compare the TENAA images to the Zenfone 4 Max image which was unveiled by Asus at their investors conference:

Here is the X015D from TENAA:

What we can say is that the finger print sensor and cameras seem to be a match to the Zenfone 4 Max as shown in the Asus image. However the antenna lines are absent but how accurate are either of these image anyways?

Specs as listed by TENAA:

 

This model has shown up on GFXBench previously:

With the Zenfone Max series being entry level, the resolution would be a fit. However Asus also has the budget Zenfone Go and Zenfone Pegasus series which are budget as well.

[source: TENAA]

Verizon announced as the exclusive wireless provider of the Zenfone AR in the US

May 19, 2017 Categories: News, US, Zenfone AR, ZS571KL by 0 Comments

Asus and Verizon have been partners in the tablet business so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they have partnered with the upcoming Zenfone AR. What we can also say is that the summer 2017 release date has been confirmed. No hard date however. Price? Nope, not yet.

With the Zenfone AR being the first phone that is both Google Tango enabled and Daydream ready, this appears to be an attention grabber for Asus. The number of units sold may be secondary to the brand exposure. It’s not clear as to the consumer adoption to the AR and VR technology. It’s an exciting new frontier and there is no question on that.

The Zenfone AR is a beast in terms of specs. It has 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, Snapdragon 821, along with a high resolution AMOLED display. There are other impressive hardware and features which we will delve into in the near future.

[source: Asus press release]

Google I/O keynote showcases Zenfone AR and says coming Summer 2017

May 18, 2017 Categories: News, Zenfone AR, ZS571KL by 0 Comments

Google spilt the beans on the upcoming Asus Zenfone AR (ZS571KL) during their Google I/O 2017 keynote presentation. According to Google, the phone will be release this summer. No hard date, but summer was mentioned. Let’s hope that Asus was consulted on that release date announcement!

The image/slide above was shown during the Google I/O presentation. The point Google was making is the size of the Zenfone AR/VR devices has been shrinking. The Zenfone AR shown here is a 5.7-inch device.

Not only did Google spill the beans on the release date but they also showed some footage of the Zenfone AR in the wild. Some super lucky school kids got their hands on a number of pre release models to show off the AR abilities of the technology. It does appear that a selfie stick may be an essential accessory but it’s hard to say at this point. So either the kids were instructed to smile or indeed it’s a fun phone. You decide what was real and what was acting. I do believe the kids were having a great time.

For Asus getting onto the keynote presentation is actually a big deal in terms of being associated with smartphones. It’s a brand play and it appears that the move paid off. It’s a device that is unique and something that Asus can get Google to market on their behalf. Not a bad deal at all. A lot of eyes and coverage on this event.

We believe there are two Zenfone AR type phones coming. One has been unveiled and the other is still under wraps. Perhaps a premium model and a more affordable model. That’s our best guess at this point.

[source: Google I/O 2017 Keynote]

 

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