‘Holographic’ smartphone coming to AT&T, Verizon

Remember the Princess Leia hologram message in Star Wars pleading for help as played by R2D2? A new smartphone is promising a similar technology with AT&T and Verizon signing on to begin selling them.

Hydrogen One – what is being touted as a “holographic” phone from RED – will be offered by the two wireless companies sometime this summer. Prices were not disclosed but RED has offered pre-orders at $1,300.

“This revolutionary smartphone will provide you with significant advancements in the way you create and view content on the leading network for entertainment,” said Kevin Petersen, senior vice president for Device and Network Services Marketing at AT&T. “When the RED Hydrogen One launches you’ll be able to look around, below and into your screen’s image with a 4-view holographic display, which is even better than 3D.”

AT&T said the phone will support video streaming.

RED, which launched as RED Digital Cinema in 2006, touts the phone as “the world’s first holographic media machine that fits in your pocket.”

Media reaction, however, was mixed.

“Whether consumers (who will be able to afford the phone) will be dazzled by technology touted by the hype-meisters as “retina-riveting” is no guarantee of course. It’s not like phones with 3D screens ever found an audience,” reported USA Today.

Adds Engadget: “[I]t’s unclear what carriers will charge customers to buy this phone, which is touted to have 4V — or “four-view” — tech. This means the phone can handle 2D, 3D, AR, mixed reality and VR, all without additional hardware or headsets. It’s unclear how the specifics of this tech will work, though.”

Noted TechCrunch: “RED’s Hydrogen One handset is one of those devices we’ll believe when we actually see. ”

Hydrogen One “isn’t just a smartphone, it’s a tool for doers, makers and content creators,” according to RED.

“We’ve seen shocked faces light up when they experience Hydrogen One for the first time.,” said Jim Jannard, who founded RED. “This is the single most exciting thing I have ever worked on.”

Tech specs

Phone features include:

With 4-View Holographic: An experience that’s better than 3D, no glasses. With the HYDROGEN ONE, you have front and back 4-view recording capability, capturing images, videos, and selfies.
Multi-Dimensional Surround Sound: A proprietary A3D algorithm converts audio into expansive, 360-degree sound, with or without headphones. Surround sound used to require a room jammed with equipment. Not anymore.
Modular System: Enhance your HYDROGEN ONE with stackable modules: a future cinema-capable camera in your pocket and an extended battery performance module, with many more additions to come.
Industrial Design: Choose between a titanium or aluminum model. Both come with Kevlar panels, beautiful and functional RED-designed sides, and a 5.7” QHD holographic display.
Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 Mobile Platform: The Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform is designed to support cutting-edge camera capabilities, blazing-fast download speeds, and long-lasting battery life. Capture photos and 4K video as vividly as you see it. And with better graphics and increased performance, you’ll get the ultimate mobile experience.
HYDROGEN Network: Explore HYDROGEN’S exclusive 4-View app. There is content to view, there are games to play, and apps to download…everything in holographic 4-view. The greatest living creators share work alongside next-gen tastemakers.