A new kind of smartphone: the holographic media machine from RED

Yesterday, RED announced their new device which is a smartphone that promises to be a holographic media machine. The camera manufacturing company which is well known among cinematographers has decided to take a try at providing a device which allows people to view 3D images in addition to the usual 2D graphics that many devices show. 

The phone is called the RED HYDROGEN ONE. So far, the details of the device haven’t been fully released but here’s what we know. It will feature: a 5.7” Professional Hydrogen Holographic display; a USB-C charging port and cable; a Micro SD slot; and a “special small token” for the people who order the device early.

By taking a look at that, it’s really hard to pin point what kind of hardware it will have and what it will be capable of. However, RED promises that the device will allow people to:

• View all traditional 2D content normally at full screen resolution
• Display holographic Red Hydrogen 4-View content in the H4V file type
• Play stereo 3D files
• Show 2D and 3D AR/VR and MR

The HYDROGEN ONE will also feature a modularity design which will allow user to attach extra components to the device. This is similar to what the Moto Z devices from Motorola do. One of the mods that the company announced will be available in the future is one that allows people to capture higher quality motion and still images which will also include those in their HYDROGEN ONE holographic format.

The device could potentially be a big deal because projecting precise 3-dimensional images of real life objects (holograms) is not an easy thing to do on a 2-dimensional electronic screen. Holograms or holographic content is also unique in that it shouldn’t require a person to wear any extra gear otherwise it ends up being something like augmented reality, virtual reality or mixed reality which at the moment need a person to wear a type of headset to access the content since it’s not visible to the naked eye.

RED claims that no-one will need any of that. If this device lives up to its claims and doesn’t fail like the LG Optimus 3D and HTC Evo 3D  which came in 2011 and were ahead of their time. Then it might just change the way people consume and create content for AR, VR and MR.

The phone will start shipping in the first quarter of 2018. If you’re a cinematographer or someone who just wants to experiment with new tech then you can pre-order the HYDROGEN ONE now. To get the TITANIUM version, it will set you back $1,595 while the ALUMINUM version will cost you $1,195. Personally, I wouldn’t spend that kind of money on something that has so few details about what it can and cannot do. However, for people who are into photography and cinematography then it’s something to keep your eye on.