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ICS Update Build 9.2.1.21 For The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer (TF101) Rolling Out Now
ICS Update Build 9.2.1.21 For The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer
ASUS just started pushing yet another update to the original Transformer (TF101) that brings a handful of enhancements:
ASUS Transformer owners will be forced to wait even longer for a promised update to Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0), the company revealed on its Singapore Facebook page late last night. Here's the statement:
Here's a bit of good news for all the OG Transformer owners out there - ASUS has confirmed via its UK Facebook page that the original tablet-netbook hybrid device will indeed be receiving an update to Ice Cream Sandwich. While it was previously assumed that ASUS would continue to support this older-but-still-awesome device, it's good to see the company step up and publicly confirm that the update is coming instead of leaving users questioning it for months.
ASUS started pushing an update to the Eee Pad Transformer this morning that brings some minor bug fixes, app updates, improved translations, a new feature called "Supernote," and, most notably, Android 3.2.1 to the tablet/laptop hybrid device.
An unexpected update started rolling out to the ASUS Transformer earlier today that brings the build number up to 8.6.5.9. Even more unexpectedly, this update reportedly includes Netflix support without requiring root. Of course, the official Netflix app in the Market doesn't yet support the Transformer, but you can grab the latest version here.
If you have the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer and keyboard dock, there's a chance that you've noticed the dock's built-in battery draining quicker than it should. This is a problem quite a few users are experiencing, and a member of the Transformer Forums by the name of ASUSFAN001 set out to get an answer to the issue directly from ASUS itself.
When a device is first released, the rooting process can be a tedious and cumbersome one. This is especially true with the new breed of Honeycomb tablets, but thanks to the relentless and brilliant Android modding community, the rooting process of every device becomes significantly more simple given a long enough timeline. The latest example of this is the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, which is on the receiving end of a new one-click root solution.
ASUS just announced via its official Twitter account that the Eee Pad Transformer would be receiving the latest iteration of Honeycomb -- Android 3.2 -- on July 28th (tomorrow). The newest version of Honeycomb will bring bug fixes and a few new features to the tablet-netbook-hybrid, including the new "app zoom" feature that makes phone-specific apps scale more appropriately on the larger, 1280x800 display.
In the world of Android tablets, there seems to be an ongoing battle between the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer for ultimate tablet supremacy. Both are absolutely outstanding tablets, but you're looking to buy the latter, then you should click over to the eBay Daily Deal site where you can grab the 32GB version of this tablet for $440 with free shipping.
While Google released the Honeycomb update that brings resizable widgets, USB host support, and overall performance improvements to VZW XOOM owners during I/O, and Motorola dropped it on Wi-Fi only XOOMs late last week, all other Honeycomb tablet owners have been asking the same question: when do I get it?
We've all heard the rumors surrounding the shortage of Eee Pad Transformers, but now an ASUS spokesperson has come forward to let us all know the real deal: demand. One would assume that a company like ASUS would be able to predict that putting out the most economical device in its category would generate a lot of demand, but apparently it doesn't work that way.
The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer is quickly becoming the darling of the Android tablet world. With all the specs (dual-core, Android 3.0, keyboard dock - the list goes on) and a price tag at $400, this may just be the one Honeycomb tablet to rule them all. Alas, when a great product and a great price meet, there is great demand - and when there is great demand and a less-than-great supply level, there is a high level of dejected customers leaving their electronics retailers with empty hands.
The Transformer is already a pretty great deal in the world of Android tablets - you get the same 10.1" screen and dual core processor as its competitors, for the low price of just $399.99. But if that price point isn't enough to get you to rush out and buy one, or you'd like some extra cash for that keyboard dock, you're in luck - you can get it from Target for a cool $40 off by using the code TCA27BAR at checkout.
Thanks to sano614 over at the XDA forums you can now have a few of the goodies from the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer on other Honeycomb tablets, specifically the super-nifty My Water live wallpaper and ASUS's weather widget. You've probably seen this wallpaper before - it's the beverage-esque one that moves around on your screen as you shift your tablet around, complete with ice cubes and bubbles. The weather widget offers what you would expect: current conditions and temperature in a visually stimulating package.
Yesterday, we told you that the Acer Iconia A500 tablet was available at Best Buy for $450, but if that wasn't your cup of tea, to wait one more day. That day has passed, and now the 16GB ASUS Eee Pad Transformer is available for $399 making it the most bang-for-your-buck Honeycomb tablet on the market. While the Transformer may be a very economical Android tablet, that doesn't mean that Asus skimped on specs:
Looks like at least one company got the MeMO (pun intended) on tablet pricing - ASUS just announced that the Eee Pad Transformer will start at a mere $399. Now, that'll buy you a 16GB model; if you want to step the gigabyte count up to 32, you'll have to shell out an additional $100, raising the price to $499. Still, even when you take into account the fact that the $149 keyboard dock isn't included, that's not a bad deal at all - in fact, both prices shave a benjamin off what Apple will charge for an equivalent iPad 2.
The Asus EEE Pad Transformer has yet to hit US soil and it has only been out in the UK for a short amount of time, but thanks to a collaborative effort from Android hackers @PauOBrien and @BumbleDroid, it's already been rooted. The method is still very rough around the edges right now, and it's not ready for prime time use just yet - for example, there is no backup method (such as Nandroid) - but that should be coming down the pike soon.
Just last week we reported the first reasonably priced Android tablet, the Asus EEE Pad Transformer, and it already looks like the competition is going to get thick where pricing is concerned. Acer has officially announced its Iconia A500 tablet, which will be hitting the Best Buy sales floor on April 24th for a cool $449. This brings it in at $50 above the rumored price of the Transformer, but still $150 less than the almost-equally-spec'd Motorola XOOM.
While it seems like it's becoming more and more difficult to get manufacturers to do what they are supposed to do in regards to releasing source code on time, ASUS stands tall and fulfills its responsibilities to the Android community by releasing the source code for the Transformer before the device even hits shelves. Take note, HTC, Motorola, Notion Ink, and the rest.