Smartphones slowly but surely usurped digital cameras as the popular way to take photos, but are tablets the next gadget to takeover? Dell is taking a step forward as a top challenger in this shift with the release of the Dell Venue 8 7000.
The 8.4-inch slate houses a 3D camera powered by Intel's RealSense technology and it ships with
The tablet camera of the future
The aluminum rear side of the Venue 8 7000 brandishes a thin black strip towards the bottom edge that houses dual-cameras, about eye-width apart. They sit above the 8-megapixel camera, used for regular snapshots (including a panoramic and burst modes) and they slyly blend into the tablet's sleek and chic design.
The Dell Venue 8 7000's camera capabilities are comparable to a Lytro camera, but the built-in software that makes editing the photos user-friendly sets it apart. After taking a photo using the Depth Snapshot option within the native camera app, the Dell Venue 8 7000's Gallery app holds all of the tools you need to take full advantage of the 3D camera.
From there, you can easily adjust the focal point and depth of field, as the well as edit the colors and tones of the different layers within the photograph. There's a slight learning curve to using all of the customization options, however, their robust offerings are simplified actions of what one can accomplish in Photoshop -- a tremendous feat for a tablet.
The camera can also be used to measure objects in the photo you've taken. For example, if you take a photo of your friends and are curious about how tall the tallest person in the photograph is, you simply choose the measurement option in the gallery -- cleverly represented by a ruler symbol -- tap on a starting, then an end point, and the measurement magically appears on screen. You can also measure the square footage of an object or space.
High-end specs
Not to be outdone by its current competition, the Dell Venue 8 7000 houses a sharp 2,560x1,600-pixel resolution OLED display with deep black levels and stark contrast. Anecdotally, the range of colors on the screen didn't look as saturated as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S, but were still impressively rich.
Inside the tablet, you'll find a speedy quad-core Intel Atom Z3500 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. Aside from its pre-loaded software and some tweaks to the pull-down menus, it runs a fairly stock version of Android 4.4 KitKat.
Unfortunately, the tablet doesn't offer an expandable storage option. The good news is that an existing SIM slot on prototypes suggest an LTE capable version may eventually be available. Battery life is unknown, but a Dell executive that has been using the tablet as a workstation shared that he usually gets about 8 to 10 hours with casual to heavy use.
Sizing up the competition
With competitively comparable specs in tow, the depth-capturing camera-toting tablet rivals the current mid-size slate to beat, the 8.4-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S. Both boast super-HD screens, speedy processors, and trendy slim designs.
In comparison to the Galaxy Tab S 8.4, the Dell Venue 8 7000 is just as thin -- at a skinny 6mm thick -- and is slightly longer in size, but dons a more impressive build; the aluminum-cased body evokes a high-end feel that rivals the Apple iPad Mini and puts the plastic body of the Galaxy Tab S to shame. The downside to the solid build of the Dell Venue 8 7000 is that it weighs a bit more, however, it's still relatively light, and compromising a better build for heavier weight is an understandable trade-off.
The numerical name of the Dell Venue 8 7000 aptly forecasts a futuristic experience that lies within its 3D camera and the powerful software that unleashes the potential of its depth-capturing technology. Lately, tablet innovation is typically focused on sharper screens and faster processors, but Dell is changing the game with an exciting appeal to tech-aficionados with a taste for the cutting-edge. The Dell Venue 8 7000 is an impressive development in the tablet scene and we're looking forward to getting our hands on one for a real test drive.
Pricing for the Dell Venue 8 7000 has yet to be announced, but according to Dell representatives, it's expected to arrive at an aggressive price. If so, it could be the mid-size slate to beat. The tablet is expected to go on sale in early November, so check back to CNET soon for a full review.
What do you think of the Dell Venue 8 7000? Is a tablet with a 3D camera appealing, or bound to fail? Let us know in the comments section.-loaded software to take full advantage of its unique capabilities.
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