ASUS applies for 'Padfone' trademark for tablet/phone combo
updated 02:40 pm EDT, Fri May 27, 2011
ASUS trademarks Padfone for next tablet
The recently teased ASUS tablet that promises to "break the rules," may be called Padfone. ASUS has applied for a trademark for the unusual name with the US Patent and Trademark Office, though it may be too late for this particular tablet/smartphone hybrid. The device, which could be the Eee Pad MeMo or Eee Pad Slider, is to be unveiled at Computex on May 29.
The MeMO was first shown at CES and expected to be a 7.1-inch tablet that runs on Android 3.0. It would have the ability to output 1080p video thanks to its micro HDMI output. It will also get a 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor and HSPA+ 3G support.
The Eee Pad Slider is closely related to the already shipping Eee Pad Transformer, a Tegra 2-based Android 3.0 tablet with a 10-inch screen, but tucks a built-in keyboard behind the design instead of adding it on later.
Which of the devices will eventually become the Padfone remains to be seen. [via PocketNow]
