Lenovo to launch an augmented-reality smartphone in China

Lenovo Group Ltd, the world's largest personal computer maker, will launch its augmented-reality-enabled smartphone in October in China, as part of its broad efforts to boost phone sales with innovative products.

Yang Yuanqing, CEO and Chairman of the Beijing-based company, said on Saturday the Phab2 Pro, the world's first smartphone to host AR applications without the need of other accessories, will help create new business models by bringing new interactive experience to consumers.

Yang holds a Moto Z, the latest flagship of the brand, at a press meeting held on September 4, 2016 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn by Liu Zheng]

The new device, first unveiled in June, is based on Google Inc's Tango project and allows users to play virtual dominoes on a physical table and shoot digital robots that inhabit users' living rooms.

"Technology innovation and business model innovation are part of the new path for growth," Yang said, adding the company aims to leverage cutting-edge technologies to change the way people live and work. He made the comments at the B20 summit which was held in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province on Saturday.

According to him, in the Internet of Things era, smart devices are not limited to just computers and smartphones. They will be everywhere. They will be powered by natural language interaction, artificial intelligence, and cloud services.

Yang holds a Yoga tablet, a hardware used by the B20 as its official gift to the attendees, at a press meeting held on September 4, 2016 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn by Liu Zheng]

Yang also showcased the company's Moto Z modular handset on Saturday. The phone, which will belaunched in China next Tuesday, has high-powered magnets on its rear with which users can fasten additional equipment, including extra batteries, speakers and projectors.

Lenovo is banking on the two phones to gain the market share it is losing to rivals such as Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and Oppo Electronics Corp.

"The handsets are not just incremental improvements on existing phones. They are designed to stand out in the industry where smartphones look and operate just the same," Yang said.