The new firmware is now available through ASUS’ website. There are a number of different (although same) region-specific PadFone 2 versions, and you should determine which of the many ZIP files presented at this page works for you. Fire-up the Settings menu and from the About phone menu see which SKU your PadFone 2 has. Then grab the update that sings along your device…

[Via: AndroidPolice]

Basically, it’s a notebook-tablet hybrid which, just like the company’s “regular” Transformer series, has a detachable keyboard dock. However, this device also comes with two different processors, allowing it to run two different platforms. That means – Windows 8 and Android.

Once in the “slate mode,” users will be able to access all of their favorite Android apps and games. Add a keyboard to the mix, and you get to type faster as well as the ability to run Windows. Plus, if you connect that keyboard to an external monitor – your portable computer transforms into a full-fledged desktop with Windows 8.

The keyboard dock has evolved, no longer hosting just battery and ports, but also a full-blown PC with Intel’s 4th generation Core i7 processor. So, it’s not like you’ll get some basic Windows 8 experience — you’ll be able to do some serious work with the Transformer Book Trio.

As for the Android slate part, it gets its power from the Intel Atom Z2580 processor and has a full HD (1920×1080 pixels) screen resolution. Pretty awesome I would say. What do you think?

Price is also a mystery but I’m sure we’ll get that and other details shortly. If ASUS doesn’t ask too much of a premium for this Fonepad model, it could easily move a few million units. Phablet devices like the Samsung Galaxy Note series and LG Optimus G Pro are getting more popular with the day and we can see a slightly smaller Fonepad succeeding in the market if doesn’t end up breaking a bank. More details as we get ‘em…

The latest Transformer Infinity Pad rocks the following specs:

• 10.1 inch 2560 x 1600 WQXGA display
• NVIDIA Tegra 4
• 2GB RAM
• 32GB internal storage
• 5 megapixel rear camera
• 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera
• SD card slot
• USB 3.0 port

Of course, the new Transformer Infinity Pad will also have a full keyboard docking accessory that will help with productivity and give you a beefier battery along the way. And while it doesn’t seem to have been mentioned at the announcement, we’d expect the tablet to ship with Android Jelly Bean.

With no officially pricing or availability to speak of, we’re still in the dark as to when we can expect this powerful tablet hit any markets.

Stay tuned for more information on the Transformer Infinity Pad as it comes in!

[Via: NVIDIA]

Many rumors about the specs of the new Nexus 7 have been floating around for a while, and we’re still not sure if the device will be swapping its NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor for Qualcomm’s S4 Pro, but it will be touting a 1900 x 1200 7-inch low-temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) panel. The revamped Nexus 7 could very well be running the next version of Jelly Bean, Android 4.3.

According to supply chain sources, the manufacturer responsible for the new display, AU Optronics, has produced 1 million display panels for the device, and 8 million of the displays have been ordered for the remainder of 2013. This could signal a release announcement soon, possibly on June 10th when Google is rumored to announce the white Nexus 4 and Android 4.3.

[Via: DigiTimes]

Anyhow, we never really understood a device like Fonepad and are having hard time imagining anyone using it to make phone calls. Simply put – it’s too big to carry around…

[Via: Engadget]

At the moment, Canonical doesn’t allow users to download Ubuntu for Android (or perhaps it’s still not ready for prime time), and the company is rather looking for OEMs to license the software. I believe that the “perfect vendor” to take advantage of this software is ASUS, which should offer it pre-installed on its Padfone series. This way Padfone users would get an added benefit when they dock their smartphone to the tablet shell, with the ability to use real desktop apps.

ASUS on its end would finally be able to justify the steep pricing of its Padfone devices which [prices] at present are really hard to swallow. You see, the money that gets you the Padfone 2 could buy you both a comparable smartphone and tablet — and the idea of the combo device is to be cheaper than buying the two devices separately. If, on the other hand, the Padfone 2 (and Padfone Infinity for that matter) came with Ubuntu for Android, the Taiwanese company should be able to entice more users to grab their expensive gadget. With such software, potential Padfone customers would not only buy a smartphone and tablet, but also a full-blown PC that can run many of the apps they’re used to running on their existing computers.

Sounds like a plan and I’m just hoping ASUS’ folks are reading this. What do you think about Ubuntu for Android-powered Padfone? Would you pay a premium for such a device?

• Bug fixes for game execution, e.g. NBA2k13, Space Hunter and LINE Homerun Battle Burst.
• APN modification for carriers.
• Optimized power consumption for music playing.
• System performance fine-tuning.

Yeah it’s nothing major but you should “push the button,” nevertheless. It’s a good practice to have the latest firmware version at all times.

Alternatively, if for some reason you don’t want to perform OTA update or it’s still not available for your Fonepad, you can flash the ROM manually. ASUS made WW, TW and JP builds available for download. Check out this page for additional details…

[Via: AndroidPolice]

The updated Asus MeMO Pad Smart 10 is said to feature the following specifications

• 10-inch 1080p HD display
• 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro
• 1 GB RAM
• 13 megapixel rear camera
• 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera
• 16 GB internal memory
• Micro SD card slot
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• LTE support
• 5,050 mAh battery
• Android Jelly Bean

The updated set of specifications will be more than welcomed if Asus give the Smart Pad 10 successor the same price point, which we’d hope it would. The display, CPU, and camera bumps will certainly turn some heads in the budget tablet market, as these specs are normally found in higher-end tablets. However, I personally would wish that Asus stayed with NVIDIA for this tablet, as there’s a nice helping of Tegra Zone games that one either can’t play on a non-Tegra tablet, or will feature less robust graphics.

Rumors are pointing that the Asus MeMO Pad Smart 10 successor could hit as soon as the summer.

Any takers?

[Via: UnwiredView]

The 7-inch tablet that also acts as a phone comes with Intel’s mobile chip, 1280×800 pixels screen, 1GB of RAM, HSPA and Wi-Fi connectivity, and 16GB of built-in storage. We can’t really imagine running around with it as it’s our day-to-day phone but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it as a “pure” tablet as long as we “forget” about its phone-calling capabilities. In that sense, it’s pretty decent device for the price, with its metallic body making it look more premium than many other comparable tablets…

If all this intrigued you just a bit, your best bet is Amazon – hit this link to secure your Fonepad. Or look at it in the local electronics store. It’s your call.

[Via: EuroDroid]

Specs wise, the Windows 8 base rocks Intel’s 3.1GHz third-generation Core i5 processor, 2GB NVIDIA GeForce 730M graphics, 8GB of RAM, 1TB 7200RPM hard drive, DVD drive, 4 USB 3.0 ports, HDMI out and Bluetooth 4.0. On the other hand, once undocked, the device turn into a full-blown Android 4.1 Jelly Bean tablets with specs that include NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory and 7,600mAh battery. In addition, there’s also a microSD memory card slot and 1-megapixel front-facing camera.

Not sure what to think about the Transformer AiO. It’s definitely an interesting product but I’m not sure it will fit our needs. Then again, we praise mobility more than anything and you may need computer for some other kind of work that can’t done from a cafe. What do you think of it? If you do like it, feel free to grab one from Amazon.com.