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.
There is also a firmware update available for the dock, bringing the version up to EP101-0213.
[via Transformer Forums; Thanks, Sheila!]
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.
As it turns out, ASUS is completely aware of the issue and will discuss it openly with customers. The root of the problem is a specific chipset that is installed in certain units and not exclusive to a specific model number.
Last week, I traded my Google I/O Chromebook for an ASUS Eee Pad Transformer/keyboard dock combo and started exploring the fascinating laptop/tablet hybrid. Overall, my impressions so far are more positive than I thought they would be, and I'll most likely end up selling the 3G XOOM that has none of the features the Transformer with the dock have to offer. The only problem with the Transformer that I've experienced is a relatively poor battery life compared to both the XOOM and the Tab 10.1, which I can't explain yet... but I'm getting carried away.
After my exploration of the Transformer was complete, I noted 2 annoyances - the absence of the dedicated app switcher key on the dock, which was conveniently present on the Samsung keyboard dock I tested earlier this month, and the absence of the familiar scrolling area on the touchpad that I got so used to on my laptop.
If you are anything like me and you own the keyboard dock for the Asus Transformer, then you probably keep it attached the majority of the time. The dock gives you quick access to the home, search, and menu shortcut keys, but what about the recent apps button? Unfortunately, a hardware button was not included. Although it is not much work to just tap the on-screen button since it is just a few inches away, it can still be annoying.
Instead, the Android 3.2 update brought us something a lot of us are already very familiar with - Alt+Tab. Keep holding Alt down and press Tab to cycle through the eight recent apps.
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.
This article deals with a couple of advanced topics. If you’re unfamiliar with some of the terms, hit up our primers here:
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.
Look, they even made a nifty little image.
There's no official word on exactly when the rollout will begin, but it can't hurt to start checking for updates at midnight, right?
Update: The update is now officially rolling out (thanks, schoeot and others):
[@ASUS]
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.
The Transformer packs the specs of all the top-of-the-line Android tablets on the market today:
And let's not forget about the most lustworthy feature of this tablet: the keyboard dock.
Tablets are rapidly changing the way we approach technology. They give a sense of immediacy and tactile connection that desktops and notebooks can't touch; however, I will be the first to admit that the hype seemed stupid to me. Several coworkers purchased the original iPad on the day it launched and were eager to show them off. "But what can you do with it?" was my question, and there wasn't a good answer. The tablet was not fulfilling any needs that netbooks and laptops could not already cover.
A year later, Honeycomb became available on the Motorola XOOM. The OS was rough around the edges, but it showed a different take on tablets - one that blended the always-connected nature of smartphones with many of the advantages of notebooks.
ASUS has just announced via Twitter that they are currently testing Android 3.2 on the Eee Pad Transformer, and that the keyboard super-dock tablet will be receiving the update soon. What does Android 3.2 bring? A slew of bug fixes, mostly - along with compatibility for apps that don't scale properly (called "Zoom Mode") on Honeycomb tablets. Check out our article on Android 3.2 to learn more.
There's no denying that the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer is one of the best Android tablets on the market. The keyboard dock makes it a one of a kind, and its unusually low price tag gives it more bang-for-your-buck than the bulk of the competition. Today's Daily Deal on eBay is the 32GB version of the Transformer (normally $500) with some pretty sweet accessories. While this bundle doesn't include the keyboard dock, it does bring a $90 Klipsch stereo headset and an 8GB microSD card to the table.
The Klipsch headset (1012134 ProMedia, if you want to get specific) is a sleek, red-and-black noise-cancelling in-ear setup designed with gaming in mind.
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