Now anyone can tango with one of Google's 3D scanning tablets

Project Tango tablet

Gogle's Project Tango tablets are now on sale to the public for $512, via the Google Store.

Like a standard Android tablet, a Tango tablet can run apps downloaded from the Google Play store, but unlike other such devices, it has an integrated set of scanners and sensors in its rear that can recreate a three-dimensional model of something put in front of them -- be it a toy, a piece of furniture or even the room in which the objects are sitting.

Until now, the devices had been in the development stage -- i.e., developers were using them to design applications for them -- and purchasing one was via invitation only. As of Thursday the invite is no longer needed for US consumers, and neither is $1024 (their original price) as their price has been slashed by half.