It’s been a full year since we saw the last launch of an ASUS Transformer tablet. The Infinity came out in February of last year and since then we haven’t heard much from ASUS about their flagship line of Android tablets. Today though, ASUS has taken to YouTube to post a teaser for this year’s Computex conference which has the tagline “We Transform.” Excited? 

Now, the video doesn’t come out and say that a new Transformer is coming, but it is a full minute of philosophical thoughts on “innovation” and “moving forward” so it is not too much of a stretch to get to that point. Not too long ago, the Transformer series was seen as the best tablet line that Android had to offer, so it would be good to see another shot at it. The conference is only a month away, but you can bet we will hear more before that comes around.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Video: ASUS Teases Us With Possible New Transformer Tablet at Upcoming Computex Conference is a post from: Droid Life

Daily deal website Woot! is known for having Android tablets on sale every now and then, but today they are taking it to a new level. Just to name a few of the tablets that are on sale today we have the ASUS Transformer 10.1″ ($239.00), Motorola XYBOARD 8.2″ ($240.00) and the Toshiba Thrive 10.1″ ($249.00). You can also get the original Android tablet, the XOOM ($199.00) along with other tablets from ASUS, Viewsonic and VIZIO. 

If you’re the type to watch a lot of content on your tablet, you might be interested in the stands that Woot! is selling as well. All of the tablets on sale are refurbished and while that may deter some, I can speak from experience that my XOOM that I purchased from Woot! last year is still running great. If you’re looking to get a friend or relative a late Easter gift, you couldn’t hurt to check this sale out.

To check out the deals, go here.

Cheers Humphry and Jules!

Woot! Hosting Blowout Sale On Tons of Tablets and Accessories is a post from: Droid Life

Asus dropped a note into the DL offices this morning to update us on the status of Jelly Bean for their Transformer line of tablets. According to this statement, the Transformer Pad, Transformer Prime, and Pad Infinity will all receive Android 4.1, however, the only time frame they would give us is “in the coming months.” Asus has typically been faster than any other OEM on the planet when it comes to updates, so don’t be surprised if it happens fairly quickly. 

Dear valued ASUS customer,

At ASUS, one of the key commitments we make to our customers is a relentless drive to deliver the best user experience. We constantly strive to achieve this goal through our ‘Design Thinking’ philosophy that includes regular software and firmware updates for our products.

We are pleased to announce that many of our tablet products are scheduled to receive an update to Android 4.1, Jelly Bean. The ASUS Transformer Pad, ASUS Transformer Pad Prime and ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity are all scheduled to receive Android 4.1 updates in the coming months. We will provide further guidance on our expected timeframes for these updates near their release.

We are still investigating Jelly Bean updates for other devices, but we are not in a position to confirm whether any other products will be eligible for an update at the moment.

Thank you for your continued support.

ASUS

We are a little surprised to not see the original Transformer on the list. Asus has said that they are still “investigating” it.

Asus on Jelly Bean Updates: Transformer Pad, Transformer Prime, and Pad Infinity Receiving It in the “Coming Months” is a post from: Droid Life

Earlier this week, Asus teased their upcoming Computex appearance by talking about “next transformations” and showing what appeared to be the outline of a new tablet and keyboard dock combo on video. Today, two new teasers give us a better hint, one that leads us to believe they have developed some sort of dual-booting tablet that can run both Windows 8 and Android. As you’ll see in the video below and the screenshot above, one water droplet is pulled into two, giving us logos for each separate OS.

There have been rumors of dual-booting Windows and Android tablets floating about for the last few months, so this move by Asus is not all that surprising. We are just wondering if anyone is interested. With the tablet and keyboard dock, plus what we would assume would be high-end specs, you could really have an all-in-one device here. Android tablet for fun, Windows tablet for work-related stuff.

Thoughts? 

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via:  Android and Me

Asus to Unveil Dual-booting Windows and Android Tablet at Computex? is a post from: Droid Life

Computex, one of the major tech conventions, kicks off around June 5, but Asus is planning to unveil something before that and it will more than likely be some sort of new Transformer. The teaser video for it – which is the cheesiest thing on the planet – talks about multiple form factors, the changing of the cloud, and their “Next Transformations.” We aren’t exactly sure why we need yet another Transformer tablet/keyboard combo, but why not, right? Are we thinking a 7″ version that is dock-able? Or is this another look at the Transformer TF700, which is Asus’ take on a retina-type display?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Cheers Jacob!

Asus Plans to Unveil “Next Transformations” at Computex Next Week, New Transformers Already Ready? is a post from: Droid Life

Asus is continuing their excellent service record for “OG” Eee Pad Transformer owners with a new firmware update. The newest update will bring you up to build number 9.2.1.24-20120503 and has a few needed bug fixes and added features. For starters, Transformer owners really wanted Face Unlock, a popular feature from Ice Cream Sandwich, which is now baked into the tablet. Go download the update and tell us if you can spot any other noteworthy features or fixes.

Cheers Jose and Mahers!

Asus Eee Pad Transformer 9.2.1.24 Update Rolling Out, Bug Fixes and Face Unlock Included is a post from: Droid Life

Asus is sending out another update to the Transformer Eee Pad that should address the newest case of lag and other bugs that have become apparent to TF101 owners. The build that is being pushed out now is numbered 9.2.1.21 and as far as we can see on the About page, that is the only change. Once we find some additional info or an official changelog, we shall update the post.

Are you noticing some better performance on your Transformer Eee Pads this morning after the update?

Cheers Adam and Bret!

Asus Transformer TF101 Receiving Update to Build Number 9.2.1.21, Should Fix Newest Case of Lag is a post from: Droid Life

The folks over at Asus were nice enough to send us a brand new Transformer Pad before they hit the US market here in a few days. The tablet itself is Asus’ attempt at creating a powerful tablet with strong on-paper specs, but keeping it at an affordable entry-level price for people who could possibly be shopping for either an Android tablet or a netbook. Coupled with the separately sold lapdock accessory, the Transformer Pad is capable of taking on your most important business and then handling your favorite Android apps with ease. Read on to see how it is almost the perfect example of when good looks meets affordable functionality.

The Good:

• Speed:  We get it already – NVIDIA’s Tegra 3  processor is capable of turning almost any Android tablet into a competitor for best tab on the market. With many apps and great games coming out that are specifically designed to show off the Tegra 3′s capabilities, there is no doubt that this tablet’s chipset should be used as a selling point. When you hear that your tablet has a Tegra chip, you can rest assured that it will keep up with the best of them and power any type of activities you may throw its way.
• Specs:  The Transformer Pad is a 10.1″ tablet with a WXGA (1280×800) IPS display featuring the Tegra 3 processor along with a full 1GB of RAM. It weighs in at 1.39lbs and will be available in three different colors:  blue (at launch), red, and white (by June). Along the backside is the 8MP shooter, then on the front is the 1.2MP camera for video chatting. You have your WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS (take that Prime!), and even a Gyroscope, so straight out of the box this thing comes packed with goodies. Specs like these aren’t often seen with a $380 price tag, so it’s all a major plus in this instance.
• Camera:  At the beginning of the review, I had to ask myself which Transformer tablet I would be comparing this T-Pad to. Would I compare it to the Transformer Prime, or to the first TF101 tablet. In the camera department, I would have to compare to the first Transformer Eee Pad, due to the fact that this tab’s camera beats it outright and that at the $380 price point, we know this is not being marketed as the Prime’s successor. It is an 8MP shooter with a f2.2 aperture, capable of shooting video in 1080p HD. The auto-focus is spot on and it shoots like a champ. But let’s face it, are we actually buying tablets for the camera?

  
(Click to enlarge)

• Display:  The T-Pad has a 10.1″ IPS display with close to 180 degree viewing angles, is backlit with 10-finger multi-touch, and with 350 nits brightness, you may even be able to use it outside in sunlight at times. It doesn’t get quite as bright as the Prime, but then it also wouldn’t be this affordable. The touch sensitivity on this tablet is also very good, responding instantly to anything you ask of it.
• Battery:  When the tablet first arrived, Asus instructed me that I would need to power on the tablet and then allow it to die, then fully charge it to make sure the battery was cycled properly. Well, at first I had troubles doing that because the darn thing wouldn’t die. I first powered it on and it held about 65% left and even after all my playing around and checking out the features I was only down to 55%. I haven’t had any battery problems so far and from only the short time I have had with it, I don’t see battery being a problem for me in the future either.
• Lapdock Accessory:  For the extra $150, you can buy the lapdock accessory which turns this tablet into the full package. A powerful tablet that can play your favorite mobile games, but also handle all of your business as it has just been made into a sporty notebook. The lapdock isn’t a gimmick either – it works quite well. And with the added benefit of having an extra 5 hours of battery life on your tablet, that’s a win win in my book. Quick tip – Asus said that none of the docks and tablets (previous models) would work interchangeably, but I found that isn’t exactly true. The Prime will work in the TF300′s dock, but not vice-versa. The TF300T is too fat to fit inside the Prime’s dock. I was unable to try the TF101 as I do not own one.

• Ice Cream Sandwich:  Let us hope that all future Android tablets will come shipped with Ice Cream Sandwich from now on. If you are looking to buy a tablet, but it is still running Honeycomb, run away as fast as you can. And as far as companies updating their devices is concerned, there is no better in my eyes than Asus. After receiving the tablet, there has already been one OTA update and you have to respect that in a company. Knowing your device will receive timely updates to newest firmware and having bugs fixed is a huge plus.
• Price:  Hard to argue with the price of this tablet. You get high-end specs but at one of the more reasonable prices we have seen in a tablet of this caliber to date. The 16GB model will run $379 at launch with the 32GB model dropping in at $399. This tablet should hit retail stores around 4/30 and online shops by 4/23.

The Not-so-Good:

• Build Quality/Construction:  Yes, I have this listed as a negative. That is not to say that the Transformer Pad is cheaply built, but it almost feels like it’s missing a few screws somewhere. Sure, tablets are not made to be bent or twisted, but I know that if you drop this slate from waist high onto something harder than carpet, you may be out a few hundred dollars. The casing is easily separated from the screen with a fingernail and holding the tablet just isn’t all that fun. Whether this plastic material was used to fit inside the design budget or if they wanted to shy away from the metal they used on the Prime, it seems that some steps were skipped when assuring the tab wouldn’t fall apart after some heavy use.
• Speaker Location:  I stressed this same topic on the my Transformer Prime review. Companies, please do not put the speaker in a location that will be covered by my hand when holding. When I’m playing a game and watching videos, I am constantly having to re-position my hand to make sure I can hear the audio. No thank you.

• Overall Feel:  This sort of ties in with the construction part, but that just wasn’t enough to portray the sense of worry I had when holding the tablet. For example, when firmly (not too firmly) pressing on the backside of the slate, you can see the front display begin to bleed in front from where you are holding it. It’s fine if you handle your tablet like a newborn, but when you are playing a racing game and holding it in front of your face in the air, you are going to want to have a strong hold of it  from the back and even during that you can witness the bleeding. I have a Transformer Prime and also a XOOM WiFi and neither have had something like that. Definitely a pointer to the plastic backing they used instead of something a bit more sturdy .

Video Overview:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Gallery:

Transformer Series Compared:

The Verdict:

The Transformer Pad nails Asus’ goal to have top of the line specs at a price point that can compete in a market place that is cluttered with other noteworthy competitors. But is it worth it? At $380 for 16GB or $400 for 32GB, it may in fact seem like a good deal at first look, but if the Transformer Prime ($500) begins to see a lesser price tag, then I would suggest to save up for that instead. As a successor to the TF101, the T-Pad plays its role as a high performance entry-level tablet just fine, but when you throw in the extra $150 for a new lapdock, you are looking at a grand total of about $530 or more. Just $100 more and you can have the Prime with a lapdock which sports a better camera and overall higher build quality in general. That’s just my personal belief.

At the end of the day, the Transformer Pad is an option which will deliver high performance at a very reasonable price. If that is what you seek, then this is the tablet for you.

Asus Transformer Pad TF300 Review is a post from: Droid Life

Since being upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich, OG Asus Transformer owners have been plagued with bugs. Luckily for them, Asus is on the ball and has began sending out updates to all tablets that are infected. Bugs included random reboots and various freezes that would require a hard restart along with reports of the sound to completely stop working in the middle of use. Whatever the problems, hopefully they’re being fixed with this new update. Go grab it and let us know if you see anything else.

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Asus TF101 Transformer Receiving Update, We Assume to Fix the Reboot Issues is a post from: Droid Life

The Asus Transformer 300 tablet that we have been hearing rumors for has been officially shown at MWC. The folks over at Engadget have had a good hands-on with the tablet whose purpose many folks have been questioning. Is it the next Prime? Does it have top-of-the-line specs? Well, no actually. The Transformer 300 will be Asus’ more affordable, slightly less super-tablet for folks who don’t need to spend $600+ on an Android slate. 

The 300 still has the fantastic quad-core Tegra 3 which is the essence of the Prime, but with an IPS display instead of Super IPS+, you won’t have the best display on the market. Only a 16GB version will be made available versus having a 32GB or 64GB alongside, so basically, it’s just going to be an affordable Prime. How affordable? Well, no official word has been spoken, but we can’t expect more than $300, can we?

Via: Engadget

Asus Transformer Pad 300 Outed At MWC, New Affordable Yet Powerful Tablet is a post from: Droid Life

Asus said it would be today and they weren’t messing around. The Ice Cream Sandwich update for the “OG” Transformer is available now to all users. From your tablet, cruise into Settings>About and then check for system updates. It should be there. Welcome to Android 4.0.

Cheers Mike61969, Adam, Colton, 

Original Asus Transformer Receiving Ice Cream Sandwich Update Now is a post from: Droid Life

According to the “official” Asus Twitter account, Ice Cream Sandwich should arrive on your Transformer starting tomorrow. Only hours after the update was announced for Taiwan with a “soon after” timeline for the rest of the world, this is fantastic news.

Via:  Twitter

Cheers @bstag!

Asus Twitter: Transformer ICS Update Starts Rolling Out Tomorrow in the U.S. is a post from: Droid Life

Update:  It looks like it could happen as early as tomorrow for U.S. customers.

Taiwan isn’t exactly what you wanted to hear, but at least it’s a start, right? Asus has indicated through Facebook that Ice Cream Sandwich for the original Transformer will rollout to other countries “soon after” though, so hopefully that means weeks rather than months. After Prime owners were given the update basically at launch, the OG crowd has been itching for it themselves. Shouldn’t be that much longer.

Via:  Facebook

Cheers Colton!

Asus Announces Original Transformer Ice Cream Sandwich Update…For Taiwan is a post from: Droid Life

Specs have leaked before Asus’ official announcement at this year’s MWC for the next Transformer tablet. Just a week back, a couple shots of the rumored tablet made their way onto the Internet with the model number “TF300T” accompanying the pictures. We thought they could have been misleading, due to the fact that there was no flash on the backside of the tablet, but according to this new list of leaked specs, that may have in fact been the next Eee Pad. 

According to the leaked sheet down below, there doesn’t seem to be too much different between the new Transformer and the Transformer Prime that was just released a couple months ago. We can see that the display’s resolution won’t be changed, NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 processor will still power the tablet, but instead of there being a 32GB and 16GB option, there will only be the one 16GB option for consumers.

Along with the minor changes in specs, the TF300T is getting a minor downgrade in battery size as well. It has the Prime listed as being able to do deliver roughly 9.5 hours of use, while the newest slate will only deliver about 8.5 hours of life. Could this be a cheaper, more affordable Transformer tablet that ASUS hinted at previously?

The Transformer Prime is the pinnacle of the Android tablets in terms of specifications. If ASUS is choosing to push out this seemingly lackluster slate, does anyone feel that they will remain at the top of everyone’s tablet wish list? Toss out your opinions down below.

Via: BGR

ASUS Transformer TF300T Info Leaked Ahead of MWC, 16GB of Storage and Less Battery? is a post from: Droid Life

A statement regarding the eventual update of the original Eee Pad Transformer to Ice Cream Sandwich has been issued to concerned customers via the Asus Facebook page. The Transformer Prime has been enjoying ICS for a bit now, so we can understand the impatience some Transformer owners may be experiencing.

Asus’ statement:

Dear fellow Asus members, we would like to say that we appreciate all the support we see in our Asus Facebook page every day. It makes our contributions worthwhile and fulfilling.

We are informed that the ICS upgrade for TF101 will be ready within theFeb/March 2012 period. You will be able to receive the upgrade notification via FOTA once we have a confirmation date.

We thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.

So, February/March time frame? That’s not bad. Seeing as how we are already half way through the month, March is right around the corner. Just a little bit longer, folks.

Via: Android Police

Asus Facebook: Original Transformer to Receive Ice Cream Sandwich In February or March is a post from: Droid Life