Intel Unwraps New RealSense Camera At IDF: Here's What It Can Do

Intel showed off a new RealSense camera at the IDF15 event in Shenzhen, China. The camera, which appears smaller and thinner than the earlier model, can easily fit into a 6-inch smartphone prototype.

Intel's RealSense technology, which the company first unveiled at the CES event in 2014, is their version of what they label as "Kinect for Windows" because of its notable camera and microphone abilities. More than a year later, the company revealed how the technology can be incorporated in small gadgets, such as the aforementioned smartphone prototype.

This means that RealSense technology will not be solely limited to PCs and tablets but will also become available in smartphones. Soon, smartphone owners will be able to operate their handsets using gestures and even facial expressions. They can interact with their devices the way they would interact with other people. They can smile, wink, wave, swipe and do any other bodily gestures.

One of the exciting features of Intel's RealSense technology is the ability to refocus a snapshot. This means that users can change the focus of their captured image after they have taken the picture. With this feature, users can snap first and then play with different perspectives at a later time.

Other functionalities include scanning real-life objects and creating a digital 3D version; providing an interactive chat environment to allow collaboration and sharing of ideas, files, and the like; and measuring "intangible" subjects such as "air."

Intel is in China from April 8 to 9 to host its Intel Developer Forum. Apart from hearing keynotes from CEO Brian Krzanich, the event also provides an avenue for making announcements on Intel's latest R&D projects, partnership ventures in China, and other discussions on fields covering tablets, handsets, PCs, servers and the Internet of Things.

Other keynote speakers at the event include Ian Yang, Intel China's president; Doug Fisher, Intel's Software and Services Group senior VP and GM; Doug Davis, senior VP and GM of Intel's Internet of Things; Kirk Skaugen, senior VP and GM of Intel's Client Computing Group; and Diane Bryant, Intel's Data Center Group senior VP and GM.

"The local and global impact of our 50 years of Moore's Law innovation and 30 years of strong collaboration and winning together in China is unmatched," said Krzanich. "Intel remains focused on delivering leadership products and technologies in traditional areas of computing, while also investing in new areas and entrepreneurs - students, makers and developers - to find and fuel future generations of innovation with China."

The company also announced its partnership with JD, a Chinese online retail giant. Intel showed how its RealSense technology can help improve the Chinese company's warehouse management. In a demo using a tablet equipped with RealSense depth camera, the company showed how the technology can easily measure box sizes required for products in various shapes. The demo also showed how it can easily determine the space that is needed for storage or shipment.

In a separate demo using a Windows 10 tablet, Krzanich showed how he was able to log himself by getting his face scanned through the device's RealSense camera.

Intel is also expected to announce its latest CPU platforms at the event. These include the Atom x3 processors that are designed for entry-level smartphones and tablets that have phone functions.

There's no word yet on the availability of the RealSense technology in smartphone cameras.