Huawei's new Android has '3D' UI on a 2D screen

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Thursday, 04 August 2011 11:29

Your IT - Mobility

No, it's not an actual 3D phone as I first thought it might be, but a new Android with 'Vision' and a user interface with 3D elements.

Presumably set to initially confuse a little over the term '3D carousel user-interface', Huawei's new Android OS 2.3 smartphone is a 2D smartphone called the 'Vision'.

The '3D carousel' can be seen in the photo below, and does have a 3D-esque look, although presumably once you've gone beyond the home screens and into apps, those apps will run the same way as on any other 2D Android.

Billed by the company as its 'sexiest smartphone to date', it has an aluminium unibody that comes in 'rose gold, silver or charcoal', a 'curve touch design', and measuring 'only 9.9mm at its thinnest point', the Vision weighs 'around 121g', which Huawei says is lighter 'than a bottle of perfume or aftershave'.

Inside is a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash that can take 720P HD videos, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and all the usual messaging capabilities.

There's also a 3.7-inch WVGA screen with 'auto rotation precision', GPS and AGPS, Adobe Flash 10.1 compatibility and is available in either WCDMA 900/2100 or WCDMA 850/2100 with HSPA+ capabilities that make it compatible with the 14.4Mbps speed standard.

Victor Xu, Huawei's Chief Marketing Officer said: 'We are very excited to present Vision, the smartphone which strikes the perfect balance between technology and style. The unique 3D user interface heralds in a new era in Huawei's leadership, as we continue to create devices that enhance the user experience through stylish design and smart functionality.'

Explaining that '3D' interface further, the home screen has a carousel of '3D panels', letting you 'select any panel of the home screen with one easy swipe and makes it easy to prioritize the application view to suit your needs' so that you can 'explore features and programs with a single tap.'

Head of Marketing for Huawei Devices Australia, Mark Treadwell, said 'Huawei is currently in discussion with customers and partners on ranging and timing for Vision. Expect to see Huawei's first-ever smartphone with 3D UI and carousel animation display hit our shores from Q4 this year', with pricing to be released closer to the actual launch.  

Huawei's Vision also comes preinstalled with 'Angry Birds', 'Asphalt 6: Adrenaline', 'Order & Chaos Online', and 'Guerrilla Bob HD'.