The Asus Padfone took 12 months to arrive on the market after it was first announced. Now, for multi-tasking device lovers everywhere, there’s a new version of the smartphone powered tablet—and it seems to want to show off its insides. More »
Well look at this! Our lucky buddies over at Engadget Chinese managed to get an early hands-on with the brand-spanking new PadFone 2 from ASUS. As we mentioned earlier, the bulkiness of the original model is totally gone and we’re still blown away by the combo’s new weight. But first, the phone: in our hands, it really just feels like an enlarged version of the original PadFone, especially with the ripple pattern on the back, as well as the plastic chin at the bottom along with the slightly tapered aluminum bezel. We do love the new and larger Super IPS+ screen, which is much sharper than the old PenTile Super AMOLED display, and it no doubt has better outdoor performance as well. Additionally, the Android soft keys are no longer virtual — you can access them below the screen at any time, and we dig that.
While docking the phone into or pulling it out of the PadFone Station is hardly a challenge, there’s some sort of magic that keeps the phone tucked into the bay no matter how hard our pals shook the tablet upside down (please don’t try this at home) — the geared rubber grip along the two sides of the bay are somehow responsible for this. The back of the PadFone Station has a rubbery texture that’s essentially identical to its predecessor’s, making it just as comfortable to hold, but only time will tell how durable the coating is. Software-wise it’s just as snappy on the tablet as it is on the phone, and we noticed the switch between phone mode and tablet mode is now a tad quicker as well. It’ll probably be easier to see once we have our English hands-on video, so stay tuned.
Update: We’ve finally managed to upload our hands-on video — it’s right after the break. Watch how we kept shaking the PadFone Station upside down and the phone still stayed inside its bay (again, don’t do this at home, kids!). Also, we have a demo of the phone’s Instant Dictionary feature. It’s very handy.
Update 2: We’ve just been informed that the magical grip mechanism in the docking bay took over two years to develop. Nice one, ASUS!
Gallery: ASUS PadFone 2 hands-on
Continue reading ASUS PadFone 2 hands-on in Taipei (updated with video)
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, ASUS
ASUS PadFone 2 hands-on in Taipei (updated with video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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While getting their hands dirty with the ASUS PadFone 2, our guys over at Engadget Chinese also had the chance to compare it with the OG PadFone, and they came back with a generous batch of side-by-side shots. Here you can see how the phone itself is almost just a scaled-up copy of its predecessor, while the new PadFone Station slate loses some body fat by shedding the original docking bay cover, and we’re certain that the battery has become denser and lighter as well to achieve this amazing diet — we’re talking about losing just over 200g here! Also apparent is the new 13-pin dock connector (MHL plus concurrent data, display and power) at the bottom of both the phone and the tablet. For the rest, we shall let your eyes do the work in the gallery below. Enjoy!
Gallery: ASUS PadFone 2 vs PadFone
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, ASUS
ASUS PadFone 2 vs PadFone 1… hang out! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 03:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Today’s no doubt a big day for ASUS: while chairman Jonney Shih is gearing up to introduce the PadFone 2 in Milan later today, we just saw CEO Jerry Shen wowing the crowd with the same phone-in-tablet combo back in Taipei. Just as the recent leaks have shown, ASUS’ surprisingly quick follow-up to the original PadFone is simply bigger and better in many ways, notably with a screen upgrade to 4.7-inch 720p Super IPS+ panel (with up to 550nits brightness thanks to Sharp’s IGZO technology), Qualcomm’s awesome quad-core APQ8064 SoC instead of its dual-core sibling, 13-megapixel f/2.4 BSI sensor from Sony, 1.2-megapixel front camera, and a much slimmer PadFone Station slate — partly because it no longer features a docking bay cover! New owners will be greeted by Android Ice Cream Sandwich, but ASUS promises a Jelly Bean upgrade soon. There’s much more than meets the eyes so read on to find out more.
Gallery: ASUS PadFone 2 launch event
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, ASUS
ASUS PadFone 2 unveiled in Taiwan, boasts quad-core CPU, LTE, NFC and lighter tablet (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Verizon teased on Monday that black and brown models of Samsung’s Galaxy S III would be coming soon, but mum was the word on exactly how quickly that would be. Turns out, it was real fast. The pair of smartphones are now available at the carrier’s online storefront with a $199.99 price tag for those who don’t mind a two-year commitment with Big Red. If the new shades strike your fancy, hit the source link below to give one (or two) of the devices a new home.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, Verizon
Verizon Galaxy S III now available in black and brown originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 03:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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While a new crop of smartphones has just been released in the U.S., the Japanese aren’t going to fall behind anytime soon. They just upped the ante with the new Sharp Aquos Phone Zeta SH-02E, which is the first production smartphone with an IGZO display.
What’s so interesting about IGZO? The indium gallium zinc oxide tech promises higher translucency, compared to regualr LCDs, which reduces the energy needed for backlighting and thus saves power – and the backlight is usually the number one consumer of power in mobile devices. The 2,000 mAh battery is no slouch either, though it’s unknown how much battery life is actually improved by the IGZO display.
The phone has a large 4.9-inch screen with 1,280 × 720 resolution, and a 16 MP camera. It has a 1.5 GHz S4 Pro quad-core processor and has NFC-compatibility. Hopefully we’ll get something like this in the States soon.
Earlier this week we saw some blurry photographs of what we think might be LG’s new Nexus phone. Now there are some clearer images… and it looks more sparkly than ever. More »
Softbank unveiled a bevy of new phones for its winter and spring lineup, and among the raft of new hardware is a Disney Mobile Android handset. Clad with a white or pink back, the smartphone’s rear is emblazoned with the smooching likenesses of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, who also make an appearance on live wallpaper. A cutesy motif may pervade the cellphone, but its specs are a sign that the mice can hold their own. The waterproof device packs LTE connectivity, a 4.5-inch display (1280 x 720), 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 13-megapixel camera, 8GB of built-in storage and a microSD expansion slot. Currently, the phone runs on Ice Cream Sandwich, but an update to Jelly Bean is coming down the pike. Unfortunately for avid Mouseketeers in other territories, the mobile is only slated for a launch in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Softbank unveils Disney-themed Android handset in pink and white originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 02:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Newlaunches, Impress Watch (translated) | Softbank (translated), Disney Mobile (translated) | Email this | Comments
If simple vanity trinkets don’t excite you, Sprint has something else to tempt you in — four new LTE devices. The new line-up includes two phones, a tablet and a USB dongle, so hopefully something for everyone. The phones? The 13-megapixel toutin’ Optimus G (as we suspected) and Mach (a cheaper, 1.2GHz dual-core, 4-inch, 1080p capable QWERTY ICS phone), both by LG. If you need a little more screen real-estate, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 will be joining the other Koreans with its 1.5GHz dual-cores and 1,200 x 800-screened ICS on the good ship Sprint too. Happy with your notebook, and just want the service? Sprint’s adding a Plug-in-Connect USB dongle to the menu also. No deets on cost and dates we’re afraid, with “fall” being all the info we’ve got right now. Feel free to delve into the PR after the break, in the meantime though.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, LG
Sprint adds LG Mach, Optimus G, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and tri-mode USB dongle to fall LTE lineup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Inhabitat is always interested in finding innovative uses for old technology, and this week we saw artists and designers from around the world produce new things from old, unused or outmoded gadgets. In Osaka, a local goldfish club has been transforming old phone booths into gigantic public fish tanks. In another large-scale art installation, Babis Panagiotidis used 18,000 recycled computer keys to make a life-size rocking horse. London artist Leonardo Ulian also makes beautiful, ornate mandalas from bits and pieces of old circuitry. And Benjamin Yates makes his unique coffee tables from recycled circuit boards, old VCRs and computer components.
Inhabitat’s Week in Green: solar panel printer, gold producing bacteria and a life-size of horse made of computer keys originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Oct 2012 10:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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