ASUS says Transformer Prime will arrive on Honeycomb, ICS coming later

Well, we already knew the original Transformer would be getting an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade sometime in the near future, and now ASUS Germany has confirmed that the quad-cored Prime and the Eee Pad Slider will also get a taste of Android’s latest OS. No semblance of a datum for release just yet, but the triumvirate of Transformers will join the upgrade queue behind ASUS’ other Android offering, the Padfone.

ASUS says Transformer Prime will arrive on Honeycomb, ICS coming later originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Tabletblog.de (Translated)  |  sourceASUS Germany (Facebook)  | Email this | Comments

Samsung Transform Ultra does the QWERTY slide for Sprint

What big, wireless brother wants, big, wireless brother gets. With its pay-as-you-go subsidiary already packing this particular piece of mobile kit, ’twas only a matter of time before Sprint got its hands on the Transform Ultra. Officially announced for the third place carrier today, Sammy’s Droid Charge with a QWERTY twist packs the usual array of mid-range specs. The 3.5-incher runs Android 2.3 atop a single-core 1GHz processor, with a VGA front facing / 3 megapixel rear camera, 512MB RAM, 2GB of storage and 1500mAh battery in tow. It’s no next gen, 4G beastie, but sometimes you just need a workhorse to get things done. Pricing and availability have yet to be released, although we’re sure that bit of crucial info’s right around the corner. Official presser awaits you after the break.

Continue reading Samsung Transform Ultra does the QWERTY slide for Sprint

Samsung Transform Ultra does the QWERTY slide for Sprint originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Transfix on Cricket at CTIA E&A 2011 (hands-on video)

Staring intently at the image above? It’s understandable. After all, it is called the Samsung Transfix, right? Cricket’s latest Android addition doesn’t necessarily break any new ground in its quiet release at this year’s CTIA Enterprise & Applications, but it has a lot of potential for anyone looking to get an inexpensive prepaid phone. The new 3.2-inch QWERTY runs on Gingerbread, is powered by an 800MHz CPU and brings a 3.2MP camera to the tablet. Nothing to write home about these days, but don’t forget: your parents might appreciate at least hearing from you, even if it’s not regarding a smartphone. Stay transfixed below the break at our full hands-on gallery and vid, and a press release thrown in for good measure.

Myriam Joire contributed to this post.

Continue reading Samsung Transfix on Cricket at CTIA E&A 2011 (hands-on video)

Samsung Transfix on Cricket at CTIA E&A 2011 (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boost Mobile adds Samsung Transform Ultra to its repertoire, hopes you’ll transition for $230

You might think it’s more than meets the eye, but the Samsung Transform Ultra doesn’t have much to hide — except a full QWERTY keyboard, that is. Arriving precisely on time, the newest flagship device for Boost Mobile packs a prepaid punch: the Ultra rocks a 1GHz single-core CPU, Gingerbread, a three megapixel camera and a VGA front-facing cam. You can pick one of these up now for $230, which isn’t too shabby for a decently-spec’d Android device with no contract involved. Head on over to the source link if this particular beauty is meant to be a part of your future.

Boost Mobile adds Samsung Transform Ultra to its repertoire, hopes you’ll transition for $230 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PocketNow  |  sourceBoost Mobile  | Email this | Comments

Virgin Mobile announces LG Optimus Slider, sneakily postpones data throttling until 2012

Virgin Mobile was originally intending to celebrate the new month by flipping the switch on throttled data, but it decided to push those plans back and announce a couple new phones instead. The prepaid carrier announced the upcoming launch of the LG Optimus Slider (note: it’s not the Optimus Note) and the HTC Wildfire S in October and, in the same press release, nonchalantly mentioned that it would delay reducing throughput speeds for heavy users until sometime next year. No word on why this came about, but we’ll take good news whenever we can get it. The LG Optimus Slider is an Android 2.3 device with a 3.2-inch HVGA display, a 3.2MP camera and 1,500mAh battery, and will be available online beginning October 16th for $200 and in Sprint stores October 30th. The HTC Wildfire S will show up in silver at Best Buy and in white at Radio Shack starting October 23rd, and can be yours for $200 as well. We can imagine which announcement you’re most excited for. Check out both press releases in their glory after the break.

Continue reading Virgin Mobile announces LG Optimus Slider, sneakily postpones data throttling until 2012

Virgin Mobile announces LG Optimus Slider, sneakily postpones data throttling until 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceVirgin Mobile (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

Microsoft patents modular Windows Phone with swappable batteries, keyboard, and gamepad

We’ve seen slider phones with speakers, gamepads, and of course, the standard keypad — but what if you want to swap out your slider accessory for something new? A new patent from Microsoft is exploring the possibility, showing off a concept smartphone with a sliding modular bay. Tired of that keyboard? Replace it with a gamepad, or a life-giving battery pack. According to the patent claims, some of the modular components would even function wirelessly, citing a touchscreen module which doubles as a wireless handset or a media remote. Neat? You bet, but we wouldn’t get our hopes up — Microsoft typically keeps out of the handset manufacturing game, and the last modular phone to pique our interest didn’t exactly make a splash.

Microsoft patents modular Windows Phone with swappable batteries, keyboard, and gamepad originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Unwired View  |  sourceUSPTO  | Email this | Comments

Eee Pad Slider shipping now, Archos 80 G9 hits pre-order status

Archos 80 G9

It’s practically raining tablets these days, and two more just hit the market. Of course, the Asus Eee Pad Slider and Archos 80 G9 were announced some time ago, but now you can finally handover your hard-earned paper for one of these Android 3.2-sporting devices. The Slider is already available from a variety of outlets, including New Egg and Amazon, starting at $479, while the G9 is up for pre-order direct from Archos starting at just $299. If you need a reminder of what to expect from the latest Honeycomb slates you should check out our hands-on coverage before hitting those source links and loading up your shopping cart.

[Thanks, BH]

Update: Well, looks like a few of those Archos 80 G9s are shipping earlier than expected. A reader wrote in to let us know he “pre-ordered” a trio of them yesterday and they actually arrived today. He sent in the receipt (which we won’t be sharing) along with a pile of photos and even a video as evidence. Check it out below.

[Thanks, Andrew]

Continue reading Eee Pad Slider shipping now, Archos 80 G9 hits pre-order status

Eee Pad Slider shipping now, Archos 80 G9 hits pre-order status originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Asus Eee Pad Slider up for pre-order at Amazon, starting at $480

Still no official launch date for Asus’s funny-looking 10.1-inch hybrid, but we’ve already seen evidence of a September release and now there’s a whole drum-roll of pre-order pages up at Amazon. You’re looking at $580 for the 32GB model in white or mocha, or $100 less if you settle for the 16GB variant and cram the rest of your digital possessions onto microSD or — yes indeedy — some USB 2.0 external storage. Needless to say, all shades come with the same Tegra 2 processor, Honeycomb 3.2, 1GB of RAM, Mini HDMI out, a 5MP rear camera and 1.2MP front-facer. At this point, all these sliders need to do is turn up.

[Thanks, Peter]

Asus Eee Pad Slider up for pre-order at Amazon, starting at $480 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAmazon [1], Amazon [2], Amazon [3], Amazon [4]  | Email this | Comments

Fujitsu LOOX F-07C review

For those who’ve been dwelling on this planet long enough, you might just remember a category of mobile computers by the name of UMPCs. In particular, think Sony’s VAIO UX, the OQO devices and the elusive xpPhone. Alas, those Windows devices were — and probably still are — well ahead of their time no thanks to their battery life, bulkiness and sometimes cost; though for some bizarre reason, Fujitsu begs to differ. In fact, said company took one step further and released a hybrid device in Japan: the LOOX F-07C, a QWERTY slider phone that can switch between Symbian and Windows 7 at a click of a button. Interesting combination, right? Read on to find out how this weird device fares in real life.

Continue reading Fujitsu LOOX F-07C review

Fujitsu LOOX F-07C review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oppo’s Android-based X903 smartphone gets previewed

We didn’t exactly get the most extensive look at Oppo’s new Android-based X903 smartphone when the company announced it with Leonardo DiCaprio’s help earlier this month, but our pals from Engadget Chinese thankfully managed to come through on that front in a big way. As you can see, the phone’s brushed metal exterior certainly makes this one an eye catcher, although that apparently also contributes to a weight that’s a tad on the heavy side (there’s also a full QWERTY keyboard tucked underneath, albeit one that apparently suffers a bit from some short key travel). Those trade-offs also extend to some of the phones specs; you’ll get a high-end 4-inch IPS display, for instance, but you’ll have to make do without a front-facing camera. Hit the source link below for the full preview.

Oppo’s Android-based X903 smartphone gets previewed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceEngadget Chinese  | Email this | Comments