Asus announced that its mixed-reality headset developed with Microsoft will launch in the first quarter in North America. At CES, the company also unveiled a new smartphone for the North American market, the first in a new 'Max' series of phones with large battery capacity.
First unveiled in August, the Asus headset is the first designed with Microsoft's Mixed Reality platform for delivering augmented and virtual reality content. It targets consumers interested in 360-degree video and gaming experiences with connected Windows computers. No external sensors are needed, and the companies promise a set-up within 10 minutes, with compatibility with a range of existing Windows computers. The device supports over 20,000 Windows apps and more than 2,000 Steam VR titles.
Maximum battery
Asus also announced the ZenFone Max Plus (M1), the first model in the new ZenFone Max Series of high-battery-capacity smartphones. Asus said its previous series of ZenFone Max phones have been its best-sellers, shipping together over 5 million units. The new model boasts a 4,130 mAh battery.
The Zenfone Max Plus offers a 5.7-inch full-view HD display in a body that's no larger than many standard 5.2-inch smartphones, the company claims. It features an 18:9 aspect ratio and thin bezels that give the device an 80 percent screen-to-body ratio. The phone also comes with dual rear cameras, of 16 megapixels with f/2.0 aperture and PDAF and a 120-degree wide-angle, plus a f/2.0 front camera. In addition to a fingerprint scanner, the device also comes with Face Unlock.
The Asus ZenFone Max Plus (M1) will be available from February, in a 3GB/32GB configuration for USD 229 in a choice of Azure Silver or Deepsea Black.
