Google 'poised to produce 3D imaging tablet'

A tablet computer capable of taking 3D images is set to be put into production by Google, according to reports.

The Wall Street Journal quoted sources close to the company as saying a run of 4,000 devices will be manufactured next month.

The tablet will have two rear-facing cameras and advanced imaging software - and will be shown off at the firm's forthcoming developers' conference.

Google has said it will not comment on "rumour and speculation".

But in March, Google showed off Project Tango, an effort to bring 3D technology to its handheld devices. A prototype smartphone had been given out to 200 developers to try out.

The technology makes use of infrared sensors to measure depth of surroundings.

While the ability to create 3D images with small devices is by no means a new technological feat, Google's strategy will be to harness the hardware to contribute to, among other things, its mapping effort.

For instance, the devices could be used to create quickly a 3D map of indoor environments.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the 3D tablet will be shown off at Google's annual developers' conference at the end of June.

:story: BBC News