09/27, 2:45pm
TF700 still waiting, some time within three days
Owners of Asus' Transformer Prime TF201 will now be able to receive an update to the latest version of Google's Android operating system, version 4.1.1 Jelly Bean. The roll out is part of a larger string of upgrades on the part of the Taiwanese manufacturer, one that will see the TF700 upgraded to version 4.1.1 as well. Users looking to upgrade can initiate the process by going to the About tablet section section under settings and selecting System updates.
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07/24, 8:38am
Lenovo IdeaTab S2110 goes head-to-head with Transformer Prime
The Lenovo IdeaTab S2110 first revealed at CES 2012 is now shipping starting from just $343 discounted. The 10.1 Android 4.0 tablet comes in 16GB and 32GB flavors, with the optional keyboard dock adding only $56 to the overall asking price. It is also powered by a Snapdragon S4 'Krait' 1.5GHz dual-core processor processor matched with 1GB of RAM.
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04/26, 3:55pm
comScore shows Kindle Fire propping up Android
Amazon's Kindle Fire now makes up the absolute majority of the Android tablet platform in the US, comScore found in a fresh study. The e-reader and tablet crossover represented 54.4 percent of all Android tablets sold in the country. At second place, the entire Samsung Galaxy Tab lineup comprised just 15.4 percent of Android slates.
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04/16, 5:35pm
ASUS' Transformer Prime GPS kit fix available
ASUS has put up its promised application page for those looking to get the GPS adapter fix for the Transformer Prime. As of Monday, ASUS Members can apply for a kit using the Android tablet's serial number to see if they qualify. The kit is free, but users have to apply for one before July 31.
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04/10, 11:50pm
Instagram on Android gets wider Tegra 3 support
Instagram has updated its Android app yet again to support a much wider range of devices. The app (Google Play) now supports devices using NVIDIA's Tegra 3 processor. Doing so enables both the HSPA+ version of the HTC One X, the ASUS Transformer Prime, and any other phone or tablet running the quad-core chip.
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04/06, 1:30pm
ASUS to finally fix GPS reception with dongle
The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime's well-documented GPS issues are being addressed by ASUS now. Existing owners should receive the GPS Extension Kit for free, though this isn't yet confirmed and they will need to register for it on ASUS' website. It involves an external sensor that connects to the Android tablet's docking port to get a better satellite signal.
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03/29, 10:20pm
OTA update already arriving in US
Just days after teasing "awesome" new features coming to the Transformer Prime, ASUS has begun rolling out a software update for its flagship tablet. The software update adds compatibility for an upcoming Ethernet accessory, which is expected to mimic the MacBook Air solution by plugging directly into an existing USB port.
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03/29, 6:45pm
Google to open own online tablet store
Google is expecting to start selling Android tablets directly, sources claimed Thursday night. It would run an online store that would carry third-party devices from companies like ASUS and Samsung, the Wall Street Journal said. Some of these would be Google co-branded, but that was a reference to regular third-party devices that had met the terms for the branding and not part of an official Google-designed tablet.
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03/29, 4:15pm
New Hulu Plus app arrives on 7 Android tablets
Streaming TV show and movie provider Hulu on Thursday announced it has made its Hulu Plus service on seven new Android tablets. This includes the Acer Iconia Tab line, ASUS Transformer Prime and Eee Pad Transformer, LG G-Slate, Motorola Xoom, Motorola Xyboard 10.1, and Toshiba Thrive. The app (free, Google Play) will become available for more Android tablets in the future as well, Hulu added.
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03/27, 9:55pm
Full details remain unclear
ASUS has promised that its next Transformer Prime software update will bring "awesome new features." The company has yet to provide additional details, though the Facebook teaser post reminds owners to "stay tuned."
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03/27, 12:50pm
Court says Transformer Prime too different
Hasbro saw at least a temporary setback in its lawsuit against ASUS over the Eee Pad Transformer and Transformer Prime names. A federal court judge denied a preliminary ban after finding that ASUS' Android tablet was too different from the Transformers' brands characters and toys, even with the clear allusion. ASUS' description was also a literal reflection of the tablet's keyboard docking feature, not just an attempt to seize on a familiar name.
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03/26, 1:25pm
iPad 2012 defies battery, temperature expectations
Fresh tests of the new iPad have shown that concerns over its temperature have been overstated in light of competition. The range of Macworld tests showed that, despite the extra backlighting and larger processor demanded by the new screen, the current Apple tablet is within a few degrees of the lower-resolution, slower ASUS Transformer Prime and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 LTE. In a few cases, such as under maximum load for over an hour, the Galaxy Tab was slightly hotter.
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03/22, 4:45pm
ASUS global VP said company wants to top tablets
ASUS' global vice president Xu Youjia, while speaking at conference in China earlier this week, revealed the company aims to be the top tablet maker, behind only Apple and its iPad. In order to do so, Youjia indicated the company will innovate rather than follow others, though any specifics, technical or otherwise, weren't shared by the China Times. The company's current flagship tablet is the quad-core Transformer Prime, which uses NVIDIA's Tegra 3 processor.
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03/19, 11:50am
New iPad outruns Tegra 3 in gaming and web
A fresh comparison has validated many of the suspicions that the new iPad's A5X may well be faster than NVIDIA's Tegra 3 processor in a large number of tests. Apple's slate, despite competing against a quad-core chip from a company considered an expert in graphics, was faster in visually-oriented tests conducted by Laptop. While a standard GLBenchmark test showed it about 13 percent faster, a texture fill rate test in the same suite showed it having almost five times the processing power in that area.
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03/14, 8:05am
NPD shows tablet demand not reflecting buying
Many tablet buyers want a keyboard even if they're not acting on it, the NPD Group found from a study. About 40 percent of those who were planning to buy a tablet reportedly wanted a hardware keyboard. "Most" of that subset wanted the keyboard fully integrated, the NPD said, favoring devices like the slow-selling ASUS Eee Pad Slider but ruling out detachable or docking keyboards like the same company's Transformer Prime.
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03/09, 11:50am
Medfield phone places well in browser tests
Browser benchmark tests performed at CeBIT by Caschys Blog on a Medfield phone reveal strong performance. The handset, due out at carrier Orange in France this June as the Santa Clara, was tested using Rightware and Vellamo. In the former, which measures JavaScript and HTML rendering performance, it beat out the iPhone 4S' 87801 score, at 89180, while falling behind the Galaxy Nexus' top 98272 performance.
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03/02, 3:00pm
Splashtop THD app now out for Tegra 3 tablets
Android platform developer Splashtop has just released its Splashtop THD ($7, Android Market) app, meant exclusively for NVIDIA Tegra 3-powered tablets such as the ASUS Transformer Prime. The software lets users stream audio or video from their PCs and Macs to the tablet, including using nearly any desktop program, such as graphics-intensive games. This last part purportedly requires an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card in order to play titles like Skyrim in full-screen mode.
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02/23, 1:40pm
ASUS release teaser video for new tablet at MWC
ASUS is beginning to release teasers for a new tablet, more than likely to be a follow-up to the Transformer Prime. It may be the Transformer Prime TF700T that was shown at CES, but it could be a totally different device. The TF700T may sport a higher-resolution, 1920x1200 display, which doesn't quite live up to the teaser video's promise of "twice the detail, twice the fun." The TF700T would run on Android 4.0 and ship in June, so it's unlikely ASUS would stoke anticipation for a reintroduction of the same tablet at a different show.
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02/22, 1:55pm
Official ASUS Transformer Prime unlock now out
ASUS has released the promised official bootloader unlock for its Transformer Prime tablet. It took the company nearly two months to do so, but is still one of the few to allow bootloader unlocks on tablets. The APK file can be downloaded from ASUS' support site, though ASUS warns of some consequences.
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02/16, 3:15pm
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Android 4 to wait
ASUS hinted at possible setbacks on getting the Eee Pad Transformer's Android 4.0 update to users. Having originally pegged it for mid-February, ASUS through its Singapore branch briefed owners that it would be ready within a "Feb/March 2012 period." No explanation was given for the setback.
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02/16, 12:10pm
Fujitsu conference shows off Windows 8 tablet,
Slides from a Fujitsu press conference held on Wednesday show that the company is planning on releasing ultrabooks later this year. At the same time, the fourth quarter will see the release of a Windows 8-powered tablet, the roadmap shared by Notebook Italia indicated. The notebooks will continue to be known as LifeBooks, while the tablets will carry the Fujitsu Stylistic brand name.
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02/07, 1:40pm
Chrome beta for Android gets our early test
Google answered one of the longstanding calls among Android users by putting out a beta version of Chrome for mobile (Android Market) that we've had an opportunity to test. The app borrows the extra tricks of the desktop browser to run faster than the stock Android browser as well as simplifying its use. When on Wi-Fi, it can pre-cache pages in the search results to load them faster, and the engine itself was visibly faster on a Galaxy Nexus in our own testing, not to mention somewhat more responsive to scrolling and multi-touch zooming.
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02/02, 5:15pm
ASUS TF300T tablet may be a future Transformer
ASUS may be working on yet another version of its Eee Pad tablet, the TF300T. Its design and model number indicate it's a follow-up to the company's quad-core Transformer Prime TF101. Spotted by Taiwanese site NCCC, the photos are accompanied by a certification from QuieTek, which provides wireless testing for electronics.
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01/27, 9:00am
ASUS Transformer Prime plagued by locking too
ASUS technical marketing overseer Gary Key has responded to complaints from Transformer Prime owners for another flaw. Responding to some reports on XDA-Developers' forums that the tablet freezes randomly after loading up the Android 4.0 update, Key anticipated a fix in early February. He hadn't pinpointed the cause, which didn't appeared to be tied to running any specific app or using the Prime for certain periods.
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01/23, 2:35pm
Transformer Prime GPS worse after software update
The weak GPS performance of the ASUS Transformer Prime was reportedly made even worse by a recent update from the maker. Members posting on the XDA-Developers forums claim the signal went from very weak before the update to absolutely non-existent after installing the second update after the original upgrade to Android 4.0. Leaving the tablet on the window sill for 25 minutes resulted in zero satellites being picked up by the tablet's GPS sensor, one member said.
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01/20, 2:10pm
Quad-core LG phone shows in leaked image
LG's first quad-core handset, carrying the working name of X3 thus far, has been spotted by PocketNow. It would get the same NVIDIA Tegra 3 chip as used in the Transformer Prime tablet from ASUS and would run Android 4.0. Along with this, the early specs would give it a large 4.7-inch, 1280x720 display and a thickness of less than 0.35 inches.
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01/19, 6:50am
ASUS issues OS build, updates GPS, Wi-Fi drivers
ASUS has rolled out an update for its troubled quad-core Tegra 3 Transformer Prime that is said to address its GPS and Wi-Fi performance issues. Since its hyped launch, users have complained that the metal back of the device hinders its Wi-Fi reception its GPS performance. The latest software build is 9.4.2.11 and includes a version of Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) that also addresses issues some users had when trying to upgrade from Android 3.2 (Honeycomb).
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01/18, 8:35am
ASUS talks Transformer Prime returns and TF700
ASUS UK in an update has given local buyers extra support in the wake of Transformer Prime GPS issues. Along with promising that shops would give full refunds for those that didn't like the underpowered positioning, ASUS was giving locals an extra six months of warranty beyond the base year. Concerns over Wi-Fi weren't as serious, with no "known" versions of the quad tablet having problems getting online.
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01/16, 8:25pm
OTA update doesn't recognize device serial numbers
Late last month, after several delays, ASUS began shipping its much anticipated Transformer Prime tablet, but with Android 3.2 instead of Android 4.0. The company promised that it would begin offering an over-the-air (OTA) update to early adopters on January 12. ASUS met that deadline, but xda developers reports that owners are experiencing problems with updating their slates.
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01/07, 8:10pm
ASUS previews Windows 8, sharp Android tablets
ASUS in a presentation in Taiwan confirmed its commitment to Windows 8 tablets while also renewing its efforts in Android. Eee Systems chief Samson Hu mentioned with Netbook News present that there would be an ARM-based tablet using Microsoft's new OS. Partly supporting rumors of a September date, Hu said it would arrive before the end of the year, hinting at a wait for Windows 8 itself.
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01/04, 2:20pm
Simple Transformer Prime root tool released
Those with an ASUS Transformer Prime and the need to modify its software can now do so thanks to a new, unofficially root tool shared by ViperBoy over on the RootzWiki forums. The root is simple, requiring Windows users only to download a ZIP file, install the contained drivers onto their tablet, and run the viperMOD Primer Tool executable. With this process, users can freely root or unroot their devices.
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01/03, 6:40pm
Image shows superuser access
Corroborating earlier reports, ASUS' Transformer Prime tablet appears to have been hacked to gain root access. A YouTube video shows an unnamed exploit being used to enable superuser privileges, using the unofficial tool "NachoRoot" that was developed by TeamAndIRC.
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01/03, 12:00pm
ASUS Transformer Prime gets Android 4 timetable
ASUS posted word of a definitive timetable for the Android 4.0 upgrade on the Transformer Prime. The over-the-air update will be ready worldwide starting from January 12. ASUS hasn't said how quickly it expects the updates to finish, or if owners can push the update manually.
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01/02, 12:10pm
ASUS Transformer Prime foudn with encrypted boot
Early Transformer Prime buyers have discovered that ASUS has locked the bootloader on the quad-core tablet. A 128-bit AES encryption layer spotted by XDA-Developers forum members effectively prevents custom firmware from being loaded on the Android device. The limit prevents users from upgrading to Android 4.0 early or otherwise instituting any third-party code that needs a fundamental OS-level change.
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01/01, 9:30pm
ASUS Transformer Wi-Fi, GPS performance flaky?
After initially thought to have been delayed due to Wi-Fi issues, early adopters of the ASUS Transformer Prime have been hit with varying signal strength issues with its GPS functionality. Although not a 3G-capable device, the Prime is fitted with a GPS radio that receives signals from satellites in order to triangulate its position. According to a purported statement to a customer from ASUS, the issue pertains to the Transformer Prime’s use of a “metallic unibody design.”
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12/23, 6:05pm
ASUS sets modest targets for 2012 tablets
ASUS chairman Jonney Shih set broad but modest targets for his company's tablets in statements this week. He expected three million to six million tablets shipping through all of the year, CENS said. The company has repeatedly estimated that it would deliver 1.8 million Eee Pads in 2011.
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12/21, 7:10pm
Hasbro says ASUS stole Transformer name without OK
Hasbro late last week sued ASUS for allegedly violating its trademarks with the Transformer Prime. The toy designer claims ASUS is too close to blending the Transformers and Optimus Prime names. In a statement, Hasbro asserted that ASUS was effectively banking on association with the legendary animated show, comics, and toys to sell the Transformer Prime.
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12/19, 12:15pm
Clove delays 64GB Transformer Prime to spring
Talk of the Transformer Prime from ASUS being delayed in the US have just gained more traction, as the tablet was pushed back in the UK as well. Retailer Clove has updated those who preordered the device, stating that the 64GB model has been pushed back to spring from January, while the 32GB model's bundle price that include a keyboard dock was reduced to £499 (about $775) tax-inclusive, saving an extra premium. Those who pre-ordered the 32GB bundle will get the lower price automatically.
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12/19, 7:55am
Best Buy and Amazon delay ASUS Transformer Prime
ASUS' claims of the Transformer Prime arriving on time have been cast into doubt on Monday. In spite of an intended launch Monday, new reports from Engadget readers buying from Amazon have seen their orders "inadvertently cancelled" and ask them to pre-order again with a $10 gift card as compensation. Best Buy, meanwhile, has told advance order customers that theirs have been "back-ordered" by one to two weeks.
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12/15, 8:50pm
UK pricing set at £499 for package
Asus' Transformer Prime tablet has been confirmed for a January launch in the UK, however customers will not be able to purchase the tablet by itself. The company will only offer the tablet in a package that includes the notebook dock. Current UK launch plans are also said to be limited to the Wi-Fi model, rather than the 3G variant.
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12/14, 6:50pm
May have Android Ice Cream Sanwich preinstalled
ASUS Italy has revealed on their Facebook site that the availability of the Transformer Prime tablet has moved back until the end of January. The company has apologized to potential customers for the device not being available in time for the Christmas shopping season. The Italian arm of ASUS also indicated that corporate HQ had decided that the tablet worldwide will have Wi-Fi, but not 3G.
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12/11, 1:55am
ASUS quickly dampens Transformer Prime rumors
ASUS quickly responded to NCIX's claims of a Transformer Prime delay by issuing a countering response. It claimed to SlashGear that the warnings of missing the December 19 target weren't official. The suggestion was made either that NCIX didn't have full details or that an outsider had fed bad information.
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12/10, 7:45pm
ASUS to give up market share to fix Wi-Fi range
ASUS encountered a large setback in its attempt to take the tablet market with the Transformer Prime late Friday. Online retailer NCIX messaged pre-order buyers at Phandroid and elsewhere that the quad-core Android tablet had been delayed "worldwide" and likely wouldn't make Christmas, if not the whole year. The Wi-Fi range on the metal-shelled tablet didn't "meet their standards" and was being improved before shipments started.
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12/06, 6:55pm
Android sluggishness dissected versus iOS
Recent Google intern and soon-to-be Microsoft intern Andrew Munn has given an explanation as to why many Android devices are considerably laggier and less responsive than iOS or Windows Phone devices. While iOS puts graphics drawing as a real-time priority and lets users manage which priorities can be rendered in the background, Android treats the interface as a normal priority. As a result, Android devices can often bog down when they're trying to conduct other tasks at the same time.
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12/05, 1:45pm
PadFone to get Tegra 3 CPU, debut at MWC?
The ASUS PadFone will be officially unveiled at the Mobile World Congress show in February, a source told Engadget. At the same time, NetbookNews's Nicole Scott believes the device will be powered by a quad-core Tegra 3 CPU like the Transformer Prime tablet, and not the Snapdragon S4, as previously believed. As its name suggests, the PadFone will be a hybrid device which docks a smartphone into a tablet element.
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12/05, 5:55am
Asus demos Smart Cover/Origami-like sleeve
ASUS has lifted the lid on a video demo of its Transformer Prime Sleeve. The sleeve looks and functions similarly to the iPad 2 Smart Cover. It is also reminiscent of the InCase Origami iPad case that folds in a way that allows that props the device up for easy typing. Asus has given a video demo (embedded below) of the cover in action using its Facebook page.
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12/02, 3:00pm
Amazon repeats ASUS tablet shortage history
Amazon has shown ASUS repeating its pattern of early tablet shortages after sending cancellation notices to early buyers. Orders for the quad-core tablet have been dropped due to a "lack of availability from suppliers," Amazon said. It encouraged shoppers to try third-party resellers trading through Amazon for alternatives.
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12/02, 10:40am
GameStop to show demo Primes this weekend
GameStop revealed on Friday that some of its stores will get the ASUS Transformer Prime as soon as this weekend, albeit for demonstration purposes only. It will become the first retailer to let customers get their hands on the quad-core Tegra 3-powered device. The tablet is available for pre-order from the gaming retailer now, with online orders due to begin shipping on December 19.
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12/01, 11:30am
Transformer Prime benches show Tegra 3 too slow
ASUS' Transformer Prime has arrived to good reviews but has shown that the iPad 2 is still well in front in performance. Early tests run at AnandTech show that, despite having two extra main cores and a third companion core, the Tegra 3 processor in the Prime is only just as fast in browsing as the two-core, nine months old iPad 2. In graphics, normally NVIDIA's strong suit, the iPad 2's PowerVR graphics were unambiguously faster, in one case nearly doubling the performance.
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11/30, 3:05pm
Transformer Prime pre-orders start at Best Buy
ASUS' Transformer Prime tablet, the first to sport NVIDIA's quad-core Tegra 3 chipset, will indeed ship in the US on December 8, the company confirmed. ASUS spokespeople revealed to Netbook News that the first market to receive the device will be Taiwan, with deliveries arriving tomorrow, December 1. The US is next, with December 8 shipments, while Europe will get it throughout January, depending on the country.
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