ASUS - 7/20 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Sep

Rumor: 3G-Connected Nexus 7 May Be On The Horizon, Ready 'In Around Six Weeks'

Posted by Liam Spradlin in ASUS, News, Nexus 7, Rumors

Just days after we learned of an expanded international availability, another interesting bit of news may be on the way for the Nexus 7.

According to Paul O'Brien of MoDaCo, a "very well placed insider" has indicated that a 3G-connected variant of the device is on the horizon, expected to be ready for shipping "in around six weeks."

If you've been holding out on buying the Nexus 7 due to its WiFi-only capability, this may be the news you've been waiting for. MoDaCo's source didn't divulge any pricing, availability, or carrier-related details, though the source did indicate that 3G connectivity would constitute the only hardware change to the device.

Aug

ASUS Releases Build 9.4.4.49 Kernel Source Code And Firmware For The Transformer Pad TF300TL

Posted by Cameron Summerson in ASUS, News, Transformer Pad 300

ASUS, a company that has made a name for itself in the Android community by providing fast updates and prompt firmware releases for its devices, has now made available the kernel source code and latest firmware build (9.4.4.49) for the LTE version of the Transformer Pad (TF300TL).

Both firmware and kernel source are for the Android 4.0.3, which is the latest version available the TF300TL.

This is good news for anyone who has this tablet (which was just released in the middle of this month in German and Australian markets), as the kernel source allows ROM developers to cook up better quality custom firmware, and the blob file makes restoring the device back to stock a simple as flashing a .zip file.

Aug

ASUS Transformer Pad 300's Full Jelly Bean Firmware For WW (Worldwide) And TW Versions Now Available For Download

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in ASUS, Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Transformer Pad 300

A bit less than two weeks ago, the TF300 became the first non-Nexus ASUS tablet to receive an update to Jelly Bean, starting with the U.S. Several days later, ASUS posted the full Jelly Bean ROM v10.4.2.9, though only for U.S. variants, and almost immediately started the OTA rollout in Europe.

If you have one of these TF300s with a WW (worldwide) or TW (Taiwan) SKU and haven't gotten the OTA yet (or messed something up and want to restore), the full ROMs are now downloadable from the TF300 support page (select Download -> Android):

Since ASUS' site often times out, I'll save you a few minutes of frustration and provide all 3 direct links:

ASUS TF300T Jelly Bean firmware v10.4.2.9 TW SKU (439.46MB)
ASUS TF300T Jelly Bean firmware v10.4.2.9 WW SKU (428.65MB)
ASUS TF300T Jelly Bean firmware v10.4.2.9 US SKU (438.56MB)

To check the region variant of the software on your TF300T, go to Settings > About tablet and look at Build number.

Aug

[Deal Alert] Buy An ASUS Transformer Pad (TF300T) From Sears, Get A Free Dock

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Deals, News, Transformer Pad 300

One of the most appealing aspects of owning a tablet from ASUS' Transformer line is the optional keyboard dock. It turns the tablet into an Android-powered netbook of sorts, making note taking, replying to emails, and other general productivity-based things much easier. The included battery also boosts usable time by up to four+ hours on most models, making the dock even more useful.

The main problem with the keyboard accessory, however, is the price tag; after spending $400+ on a new tablet, many users don't want to shell out the extra $150 to add the dock. After all, for $550, you can get a [somewhat] decent low-end laptop.

Aug

Vodafone Germany Announces LTE-Packing Transformer Pad Infinity (TF700KL) Ahead Of Next Week's IFA Conference

Posted by Cameron Summerson in News, Transformer Pad Infinity, Vodafone

We're already expecting to see a good number of new devices, like the Galaxy Note 2, announced at next week's IFA Conference in Berlin. It looks like Vodafone has an unveiling of its own, as well; the company just announced that an LTE-packing version of the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity will be outed.

Given the mobile-connected Infinity's model number - TF700KL - we assume that this one will ship with the Krait processor instead of the Tegra 3, which we know doesn't play well with LTE. Otherwise, all should be the same on the hardware front, which includes an HD 1920x1200 display, 8MP rear shooter, 1GB RAM, and Android 4.0.x.

Aug

ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 Owners Across Europe Receiving Jelly Bean OTA

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Transformer Pad 300

After ASUS' US-bound Transformer Pad 300 (TF300) got its taste of Jelly Bean OTA goodness – and subsequent full-fledged firmware download – owners of the tablet's international (or WW) variant were stuck furiously pressing "software update" in hopes of getting their own OTA. Well, it looks like ASUS has made dreams come true, at least across Europe. Just earlier today, ASUS UK officially put users on the lookout via Twitter:

Jelly Bean has arrived for the Transformer Pad TF300! Go get yourselves some sweet OS goodness :) & RT to spread the word #JellyBean

— ASUS (UK) (@AsusUK) August 24, 2012

Following that tweet, users have confirmed the OTA rolling in in countries including (but not limited to) Germany, Slovakia, Spain, the UK (of course), Greece, Portugal, and Northern Ireland.

Aug

ASUS Transformer Pad TF300's Full Jelly Bean Firmware (US Version) Now Available For Download

Posted by Liam Spradlin in ASUS, Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Transformer Pad 300

Keeping true to its reputation for timely updates, ASUS pushed out an official Jelly Bean OTA update to lucky Transformer Pad TF300 owners in North America last Saturday after a quick tease. Now, under a week later, it looks like ASUS has provided the full firmware for download directly from its support site.

The download, which those who didn't receive the OTA (due to an unlocked bootloader or otherwise) can use to get to ASUS' clean Jelly Bean experience, weighs a hefty 438MB and is meant only for users of the US version of the TF300. It's worth noting that using ASUS' downloadable firmware to upgrade to Jelly Bean will break root and overwrite any custom recovery you may be running.

Aug

ASUS Now Pushing Jelly Bean (4.1.1) To The Transformer Pad 300 In North America

Posted by Cameron Summerson in News, Transformer Pad 300

Yesterday, ASUS North America teased some Jelly Bean goodies on its Facebook page. At the time, we had no idea they would begin pushing a Jelly Bean update less than 12 hour later. But they have.

Announced on its Facebook this morning, ASUS has started pushing the Jelly Bean update (Android 4.1.1) to the Transformer Pad 300, making it the first 10" ASUS tablet to receive the update. The TF300 getting updated to Jelly Bean isn't much of a shocker, but the fact hat ASUS was able to perform such a quick turnaround and get the update out is nothing short of impressive.

Aug

[Update: NVIDIA And ASUS Respond] Mysterious ASUS TF500T Tablet Spotted At The FCC, Definitely Another Tegra-Powered Addition To The Transformer Family

Posted by John Thompson in ASUS, News, Rumors

Update: Unfortunately, neither ASUS nor NVIDIA had anything of value to say about this device:

NVIDIA's response:

Officially, no comment on unannounced products.

ASUS' response:

First I have heard of it, especially since the next tablets up on the roadmap are Windows based.

As many readers have already pointed out in the comments, perhaps this will be a Windows RT tablet. Time will tell.

This is a curious one; a mysterious ASUS tablet has shown up out of the blue at the FCC today, with the model name 'TF500T'. Naturally, that places it right in the middle of the company's existing tablet line-up, between the TF300 and TF700, but that's all we have to go on for now.

Aug

[Update: Here Are The Winners] Giveaway: Win A Champagne Transformer Prime 32GB With Dock Or One Of Ten Video Locker Pro Licenses From Android Police And Handy Apps

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Contests / Giveaways, Eee Pad Transformer Prime

Last Updated: August 19th, 2012

While most Android fans are clamoring to get their hands on a new Nexus 7, there are still those who prefer the size and feel of a 10" tablet. And for good reason: a 7" tablet is fantastic for reading, surfing the web, and even watching movies, but it's just lacking much-needed screen real estate when it comes to productivity.

Speaking of productivity, who wants a free Transformer Prime with dock? Good, because we have one to give away. Keep reading to find out how to enter.