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I don't currently own a G Tablet. I'm in the market for a tablet though. Would you guys buy this device again?? How is development community? I was thinking about buying a Barnes and Noble nook, but for 50 dollars more you can get this device with much better hardware. What do you guys think as owners of this device?
Tynen said:
I don't currently own a G Tablet. I'm in the market for a tablet though. Would you guys buy this device again?? How is development community? I was thinking about buying a Barnes and Noble nook, but for 50 dollars more you can get this device with much better hardware. What do you guys think as owners of this device?
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Using search, I found the exact same topic I replied to the last time.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1068794
Oddly enough, the title was "would you buy again/still"
Tynen said:
Would you guys buy this device again??
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For sub $300 BNIB and sub $250 (used with accessories) hell yes
And BTW I do have a nook color as well as a gtab.
Just check all the threads here about the honey comb port, over clocking kernels, custom ROMs, ..
In a skinny minute.
No. The screen is just abysmal. I knew going in the poor viewing angles and reflectivity. But I cannot stress enough how poor on both counts. The screen is so poor that color shifts occur at the edges when viewing straight on. The angles so poor that rotations, very normal and expected with a pad, are visually tedious on the yes. Each orientation offers its own set of problems.
I love the hardware. I love the tweakability. I'm a hardcore Android phone user of almost two years now. I am committed to Android over iOS. But I just cannot tolerate the screen.
In a heartbeat! I have a number of Android devices and the Grab is my favorite! I bought for the price and stayed because I love it.
gwalborn
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0b5.1.1 using Tapatalk
Yes, and I actually did buy again (2nd one, for my son).
Mine is still stock, and I use it daily, for web and news. My son has CM7 on his.
Jim
Yup. Love it.
Well it's been a week with the one I bought for my kid....
And I am trying to talk myself off the ledge of buying 1-2 more, it is that good...
I never booted the stock rom, went right to Vegantab7, smooth as silk....XDA should be PAID BIG TIME by viewsonic...Really viewsonic might consider letting XDA run their tablet division, and they would SMOKE all competition.
I am a hardcore laptop user, but this thing really could replace quite a lot, except for windows specific apps...
Plus I can tether wirelessly through my rooted OG droid, really elegant all around..
Money WELL spent.
Good luck.
Scott
Without a doubt! Running Honeycomb thanks to the development community!
I wouldn't pay the original $399 but for under $300 its the best bang for the buck. I'm hoping to get a second one soon. I like the nook but the 7 inch screen is just too small. I really don't get all the complaints about the screen.
I have two G-Tablets. After purchasing the first one, I really thought the whole screen issue was overblown, so when I saw an ad for a used tab with a case and micro sd for $200, I jumped on it. As it turns out, the viewing angels are noticeably worse. I have to believe there are quality control issues from the Chinese manufacturer, and explains the amount of people who complain of this. The original one did not have a great screen, but it was acceptable. The latter, however, is worse yet. My opinion only.
My biggest complain against purchasing again would have been the lack of vendor support. However this has been resolved based on the support of the developers here and elsewhere. I would not however, pay more than $250 for the device, as it is clearly reaching its end of hardware life; although the developers are extending its software life.
The device is also a good gateway into the world of android and should help people decide what type of device to purchase in the future. One with 'proven' vendor support vs one that is more risky. Which in reality translates into more expensive verus less.
I also think the only way to explain the wide range in screen experiences, has to be build based. I don't have problem with the screen; to me it looks and behaves as a typical netbook screen would.
So my answer would be, I would buy again if I could find one around $250 and could be assured of the screen quality.
Nope, I returned mine after 7 days. The screen is truly awful (or was on mine) and while the developer support is great and certainly makes the device worlds better than it is stock, my opinion is that it's still too flawed. I kept running into things that simply wouldn't work (multiple apps and widgets) and these issues were causing me to fuss with more than just use the device. But what it did show me was that I think I would enjoy regularly using a tablet so for now I'll wait for Asus to ramp up production of the Transformer and for $100 more than G-Tab I'll have something with a native OS that runs and a screen that is likely to be 10x better. Or for less $ I may pick up a Nook color and mess around with that.
That's my 2c anyway.
Absolutely. I don't know where else you'll match the value (price/performance combo).
The screen could bother some...depends on your expectations. For me, it's a non issue. The audio issue (occasional steady buzz that takes a reboot to fix) is worse for me.
If you expect a $600+ device, this isn't it. But it's close, and can be had for less than half that.
I did buy mine. I agree that it's an amazing tablet and the community is awesome! But the screen is horrendous.
Now that I've got Netflix installed, I am very happy. In the process, I've come to the conclusion that the CM7 nightlies are the way to go if only for the increased battery life. Also, TNT and Vegan both had the deep sleep problems that I have yet to encounter with CM7
So, yes. It took a while, but I've finally gotten this to run the way I want it to. I'd certainly buy again at the WOOT! pricepoint.
Probably not. Its a great tablet for the price, but the vendor support just isn't there. The best support/info is from this site.
Just too many bugs with it.
But I must admit that I mostly use it for surfing the net while I am at work, and that does it just fine.
Absolutely!
I made an educated decision to buy it in the first place. I came here and other forums to research and understood that I was getting a tablet that had a lackluster screen, really good internals, and a crappy default OS. However I also knew that the quality of the ROMs and community support here on XDA and was comfortable with that. I did not walk into this blind and I think that makes my answer easier.
The screen is not as bad as I thought it would be. So that has not been an issue for me. I do think it is inconsistent or some people are making it sound worse than it is. Maybe a personal issue or preference.
However for less than $300 I have a device and with Vegan Ginger on it, I have had both IPAD and Xoom users be shocked how good it is for half the price.
My intention was also to purchase one of these for a lower price and wait for this rush of new tablets to come out. You generally see much better products after the initial rush. This way in a year I will hand this to my kids and get a high end tablet that will most likely blow anything that is out there now, out of the water.
Im buying the new transformer prime... but about 4 days ago i was heading out the door to buy an ipad 2 before a friend showed me this great device. So far in the last 4 days since i heard of this tablet ive told 20 different people about this and NO ONE knows about it, NO ONE!! not a soul, and who can blame them?
there's no commercials, there's almost no add campaign at all... there's not even a solid release date yet!!
im finding it hard to make an investment in this company.
I won't get into how much money Apple dunks into marketing their products. This all comes down to how much more they will gain by dumping millions on advertising it. Will they make 10x profit compared to the cost? If they can't get a good estimate, then most company chooses to just let online "press" and retailers advertise in their stead. See how it goes and promote it further. Most people learn about products on TV and the Internet, but what makes them want to buy a product is from knowing someone that owns it or have experienced it first hand. There's no reason for a corporation to invest in marketing a product if it is not a 100% sure hit. It has something to do with corporate decisions.
The EeePad Transformer was a pretty good device with AWESOME support. That is what Asus does. I can verify that is what Asus does best; slow at getting customers, but keeps them forever because they stay behind their products. If you ever purchase their video cards, or other hardware, you will find that Asus will treat you like family.
Apple may have good Customer Support but that lasts how long? 90 days without a warranty?
But also, this is a new product as its not just another Tablet. While current Transformer users love the product, it does seem a little unusual. The Transformer line-up will become a pretty big thing in the next few years I'm sure.
I was surprised that in a group of 20 people 2 recognised Asus Transformer for what it was and no one called it iPad. It was in Poland. I don't know if there were advertisements in TV for it or sth. It's in most big shops though, maybe people know it from their ad flyers (I don't know how it's called - ads for big stores that are left on your front door with information about new promotions).
Android tablets suffer from hardware-war. But the thing is that majority of consumers are mainly interested in CONTENT, not the device and its hardware. This is why Amazon Kindle jumped amazingly fast in sales even though their custom skin for Android and hardware of the device are relatively lacklustre.
Android makers mainly battle with their features and hardware. But that's not the way to make an impact.
I understand word of mouth is a great way to sell products, but since no one i know has ever heard of this thing, i got lucky that some random xbl friend happened to know about it. I find it hard to beleave that ASUS is a marketing geniuses that is using a unique marketing trick which is the opposite of what everyone else does.
Apple has everyone brain washed, including me a little while ago, and thats what ASUS should be striving for.. not hide in the shadows and let the fans do the selling.
blaziner18 said:
I understand word of mouth is a great way to sell products, but since no one i know has ever heard of this thing, i got lucky that some random xbl friend happened to know about it. I find it hard to beleave that ASUS is a marketing geniuses that is using a unique marketing trick which is the opposite of what everyone else does.
Apple has everyone brain washed, including me a little while ago, and thats what ASUS should be striving for.. not hide in the shadows and let the fans do the selling.
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I don't think anyone's trying to argue that Asus is a marketing genius. But they don't have anywhere close to Apple's financial resources. So instead of a billion dollar ad campaign, they spend that money on developing and continuously supporting their products. Apple may have people brainwashed, but Asus doesn't need to resort to that, as their products speak for themselves.
And if you look at the release of the Transformer 1, which sold much faster than it could be produced initially (and it looks like the same might be the case for the TF2), you can see they must be doing something right.
Thank god I won't have to see a billion other people holding the same device as me. I want to throw up when I see everyone on the bus using the same iPhone.
xTRICKYxx said:
Apple may have good Customer Support but that lasts how long? 90 days without a warranty?
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Just wanted to clarify that Apple products have a 1 year warranty included, and you can just drive to an Apple store to get it serviced, and not having to pay to RMA your products by mailing it and wait...
I've been thinking about this tablet, and it's release date wondering why it's not out yet.
All I can think of is
1) Want to get rid of inventory of TF101's
or
2) Really want to wait to get the ICS out with the tablet. Because it significantly increases the performance of the Tegra 3 quad core tablet. Maybe, if they release with Honeycomb, and the Quad core is slightly better performance than Dual core, they look overpriced, and low benchmarks get circulated around the web.
Both are pure speculation without but there has to be some reason it's not out yet.
farplaner said:
Just wanted to clarify that Apple products have a 1 year warranty included, and you can just drive to an Apple store to get it serviced, and not having to pay to RMA your products by mailing it and wait...
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..and have to deal with an Apple Store Genius. I've seen many smarmy Apple users, but these "Geniuses" take it to a new level... No thanks.
They remind me of the "Santa's helper Elves" in A Christmas Story (yeah, the one with Ralphie).
They re definitly waiting for ICS to launch the Prime. And they are right to do so. don't ship an unfinished product, especialy when hopes and demands are so high about it.
nook-color said:
I've been thinking about this tablet, and it's release date wondering why it's not out yet.
All I can think of is
1) Want to get rid of inventory of TF101's
or
2) Really want to wait to get the ICS out with the tablet. Because it significantly increases the performance of the Tegra 3 quad core tablet. Maybe, if they release with Honeycomb, and the Quad core is slightly better performance than Dual core, they look overpriced, and low benchmarks get circulated around the web.
Both are pure speculation without but there has to be some reason it's not out yet.
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Or they want to be sure they have plenty of stock, and that stock it where it's supposed to go, before releasing it. I imagine there's a lot of demand, and more places than ever wanting to sell it. Logistically, it's a lot of work.
Smyc151 said:
Or they want to be sure they have plenty of stock, and that stock it where it's supposed to go, before releasing it. I imagine there's a lot of demand, and more places than ever wanting to sell it. Logistically, it's a lot of work.
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This is what I'm thinking is the case. The first time around, the TF101 was back-ordered for weeks and the dock didn't launch for a month after the tablet. This is not a fun situation to be in for the company or consumers. I'm sure that not being able to meet demand takes a toll on potential sales.
That said, it is also possible that they are wanting to deliver what had been rumored, since it was within their abilities to do. The tech blogs were making a lot of noise at the end of last month, beginning of this month about the Prime as being the first Tegra 3 and first ICS tablet to market. It does not seem out of the question that Asus would try to live up to the rumors if possible, especially while trying to justify a higher price-point than the original.
well this is making me feel better about ASUS, but my last argument is more of a nuh-uhh then anything else. I still say, even if they lack the resources there should be some small add campaign, a release date, internet adds. I was extremely lucky to find this product.
farplaner said:
Just wanted to clarify that Apple products have a 1 year warranty included, and you can just drive to an Apple store to get it serviced, and not having to pay to RMA your products by mailing it and wait...
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To be fair, Asus has service centers all over their home country Taiwan that are similar to Apple's genius bars.
I think it's just because Asus is based in Taiwan that we don't see much of their advertising and great service. They seem to focus most of their efforts in their home country. If you go look around there you'll see Asus ads everywhere.
Just because they don't advertise; makes it a bad product. Most people buy IOS devices because they simply aren't geekish and just want a device that works ,(Not counting the ever annoying and ignorant iSheep/iFanboys).
What i love about Asus, is that the products speak for themselves.
I remember when the HTC Evo 4G had been announced but not yet released... and everyone was clamoring and *****ing, wondering why HTC & Sprint didn't bother with any pre-release advertising and hype. And look, it went to become one of the more popular Android offerings in recent history.
Don't sweat it...
Guys here in the US the Prime is 100% sold out on Amazon, has been since 48 hours from being made available. Doesn't matter if it has commercials or not, it's already making money and isn't even on shelves.
kristovaher said:
Android tablets suffer from hardware-war. But the thing is that majority of consumers are mainly interested in CONTENT, not the device and its hardware. This is why Amazon Kindle jumped amazingly fast in sales even though their custom skin for Android and hardware of the device are relatively lacklustre.
Android makers mainly battle with their features and hardware. But that's not the way to make an impact.
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Tegra 3 is better than the A5 Chip.
The GPU in Tegra 3 is actually better than the SGX543, but its 2 GPU not one which is why its benchmark is higher, if you half the score in GLBenchmark for iPad 2 you see that Tegra 3 is btter. So hardware Android isnt far behind.
Interested in knowing what ASUS is up to for the rest of the year when it comes to the subject of tablets? You’re in luck because at a press event in Taipei today, Samson Hu, the Vice President and General Manager of the Eee Systems Business Unit revealed the company’s tablet roadmap for 2012.
The Transformer Prime will also be getting a 3G version sometime this March and it will pack a more powerful GPS module. At CES, ASUS will be unveiling a 7″ tablet (rumored to be the ASUS Memo) and a 10″ with a high resolution display (could be a completely new tablet or the upgraded Transformer Prime with 3G and better GPS). There are also two more 10″ tablets slated for the second half of 2012.
http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/01/asus-tablet-roadmap-2012-revealed/
the fact that Asus is basically doubling it android division to like 400 or more employees and Windows 8 division will only have 150 employees doesn't look too good for Windows 8 at the moment. Clearly shows their focus is mainly on Android. Either way once Windows 8 releases, we will be able to load it up on Prime or dual boot. I'd rather be able to do that vs. a single OS device only. We already got Backtrack5(Hacker Linux) running on Prime so outlook looks good.
I feel like this is the bait and switch. They put out the Prime, it sells like hot cakes but disappoints some users. Then they learn from their mistakes at the cost of the consumer and introduce new products to correct the mistakes.
I'm really trying to be positive about this whole thing, but this really makes it difficult. This is where competition really bites the consumer in the ass.
adampdx said:
I feel like this is the bait and switch. They put out the Prime, it sells like hot cakes but disappoints some users. Then they learn from their mistakes at the cost of the consumer and introduce new products to correct the mistakes.
I'm really trying to be positive about this whole thing, but this really makes it difficult. This is where competition really bites the consumer in the ass.
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How is this bait and switch? Would you prefer that the next product they come out with still have the same problems some have complained about? I'm glad they're learning and are willing to put that knowledge to use on the next product. If companies didn't do that, we'd all be driving Model A cars.
soulctcher said:
How is this bait and switch? Would you prefer that the next product they come out with still have the same problems some have complained about? I'm glad they're learning and are willing to put that knowledge to use on the next product. If companies didn't do that, we'd all be driving Model A cars.
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+1 on that, even if I realize I'm lucky being Italian, which means that I had the chance to see various reactions and enough time to decide whether going for the Prime or not. Obviously, if Asus will announce the Prime 3G at CES, I'll wait for it since I have an Acer Iconia A500 in the meanwhile.
adampdx said:
I feel like this is the bait and switch. They put out the Prime, it sells like hot cakes but disappoints some users. Then they learn from their mistakes at the cost of the consumer and introduce new products to correct the mistakes.
I'm really trying to be positive about this whole thing, but this really makes it difficult. This is where competition really bites the consumer in the ass.
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It wasn't "bait and switch", unless the ONLY reason you bought a TFP was for the GPS. If you did, that's just sad...
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
soulctcher said:
How is this bait and switch? Would you prefer that the next product they come out with still have the same problems some have complained about? I'm glad they're learning and are willing to put that knowledge to use on the next product. If companies didn't do that, we'd all be driving Model A cars.
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That's true. But what if they released the Model A, and then six months later released an updated Model A with more features? The people who bought the first Model A might feel burned. OK, I'm done being negative. I agree with your point of view, and I believe that progress is good. Sorry, super tired and still struggling with all of the buggers in the General forum that are trying really hard to make people not enjoy this super awesome tablet. I wish there was a "View Positive Posts Only" option in the XDA.
one will be called the transformer light! tf201x and tf201xg (found this info in the honeycomb system files!)
I am thinking they might go with maybe a 10.1 inch, higher than 1080p screen made of superlight plastic along with a super IPS++ display! Kinda like how you had a DS lite! along with 2gb of ram...... Hopefully it will be able to be used with the same dock as the tf201!
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201
adampdx said:
That's true. But what if they released the Model A, and then six months later released an updated Model A with more features? The people who bought the first Model A might feel burned. OK, I'm done being negative. I agree with your point of view, and I believe that progress is good. Sorry, super tired and still struggling with all of the buggers in the General forum that are trying really hard to make people not enjoy this super awesome tablet. I wish there was a "View Positive Posts Only" option in the XDA.
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I get what you're saying.
(I do want to point out though that it was almost the exact scenario between the first Model A and the first Model B...it was about 6 months between their releases back in 1903/1904.)
You just have to bite the bullet on technology purchases in general; find yourself something you want to buy, then realize that just after you unboxed it, it's no longer the top dog anymore.
I think what Adam is trying to say is it sucks doing research and sinking hard earned money into something that 6 months later will be yesterdays news. I know that's the way it goes but still kind of disappointing. I'm looking for that complete product. Gets expensive ebaying the old and sinking several hundred into another new product.
On another front for those RMA'ing the Prime for GPS issues and ASUS saying they will fix, could they be putting in a Beefier GPS like what's in the upcoming ones? Just a thought.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
That is kind of weird, I would expect them to put more people on windows instead of android. I love android for what it is but I feel like windows is just a much more complete platform. I mean its a little early to judge how well windows 8 is going to run on ARM systems, if its anything close to the windows 8 I installed on my eee slate (ULV i5), then I think it's going be incredible.
sdelliott31 said:
Gets expensive ebaying the old and sinking several hundred into another new product.
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The unfortunate cost of surfing the front wave of technology, right?
i plan on waiting for CES then if something cooler with way better specs comes out I will RMA my dock and tablet plus case to amazon (will only lose about 100 bucks...)
But they catch is it needs to be out within a few weeks after CES!
But anyways we all know we will have tegra4 this summer! kael+ so yeah technology is always moving forward! they never stop and try to squeeze all they life out of it like Game consoles have (ps3 and xbox now 5 years old!)
You just gotta get something stick with your purchase and be happy! then in a year to a year and a half sell it and buy something new!
I plan on buying the Galaxy Nexus when it is released on sprint! even though the next nexus will probaly be out 8 months later!
But i badly need the replacement i cant stand my evo 4g that wont charge unless you hold down the cord! its a pain in the but!
Plus i know the galaxy nexus software will be supported for atleast 20 months long enough to get me to my next upgrade!!
So if you want it buy it basically you cant stop better stuff from coming out!
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201
Those in the U.S., unless offered by a carrier, a 3G Prime will do you absolutely no good. HTC, LG, Sony, Acer, Archos, Samsung, and Motorola all already offer carrier-free 3G tablets, none of which are available in the U.S. You can import a 3G Prime from overseas but it'll cost you $700ish. If you get a carrier version, you'll either pay $700ish or have to commit to a two year data plan to get a subsidized price. So unless Asus does something that they nor any manufacturer have never done before, bring a 3G device to the U.S. without carrier support, the 3G announcement doesn't mean a whole lot here. And the iPad's not a relevant comparison. Apple dictates what the carriers do, not vice versa. Asus isn't Apple.
As for a higher spec 10" tablet that makes all the sense in the world. With the Lenovo and Acer already announced with higher-res displays, more RAM, and faster processors, Asus should offer a more premium tablet priced higher than the Prime to compete. Display resolution (whether it matters or not) is going to be the hot topic in tablets in 2012. Venturing a guess, I'd say the premium tablet won't have a keyboard dock still leaving that as the Prime's biggest singular feature.
In spite of all issues I am still buying prime. Why? I don't care about gps - i didn't intend to use it as gps-turn-by-turn device anyway, I love its performance, I love the fact, that we will get unlock tool, I hope we as xda-community will be able to run Win8 and Ubuntu on it.
In regard to other announced primes:
- 3g version - I have good internet plan on my mobile, even now I am just ad-hoc connected from my eee 1000he, i dont plan to sign any other contract for mobile carriers. They are literary robbing me every month anyway .
- HD version in H2. If it is announced for H2, it will be avalible in the week before Christmas in Q4, not a day sooner. I need tablet earlier.
HD screen? Why would you need it? -For movies? -For Christ sake it's a tablet, go to your living room and watch a move on 47'' LCD! If you are away from home - 720p should suffice.
can't wait for windows 8 tablets I will be first in line to get one I really have a lot of games and programs that will only run on windows that I would love to have on tablet.
jdbaker82 said:
can't wait for windows 8 tablets I will be first in line to get one I really have a lot of games and programs that will only run on windows that I would love to have on tablet.
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Programs that currently run on Windows under x86/x64 technology won't run under the ARM version of Windows unless someone compiles a version specifically for ARM processors. In fact most information out there states that the classic desktop interface won't be available on the ARM devices, only the metro interface.
Its pretty screwey for a company to release improved versions of a tablet (in less than 6 months).
A lot of Primes have major defects (GPS is broken on all primes but GPS isnt the only defect some primes have), i was lucky and finally got one that seems perfect so far but I had to order two, first one was crap (bad wifi,bad bluetooth,slow performance,long bootup time,screen bleed and a lot of FCs in apps).
Even apple gives people at least a year before they drop on a new and improved product. To me it def sounds like bait and switch sales tactics...
Oh well, my prime now is working well (i don't need gps) and i don't see a reason to upgrade for at least a year.
jdbaker82 said:
can't wait for windows 8 tablets I will be first in line to get one I really have a lot of games and programs that will only run on windows that I would love to have on tablet.
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See this is why windows 8 tablet edition is doomed.
The majority of people honestly believe they'll be getting the same windows they'd be getting on a desktop or laptop.
Windows 8 tablet is ARM, not x86. Meaning that you will only be able to run things developed or ported for ARM. You will NOT be able to just run any windows program.
It's yet another OS that needs things written for it specifically trying to play catch up with android and apples app market. I can't see it being useful at all for at least 6 months unless it's incredibly easy to port apps over, and I'm guessing it won't be considering you're looking at different APIs between OSes.
The only leg up this thing has over RIM, HP, and anyone else running something non ios/android is windows has name recognition and large market share in the x86 world. I imagine a lot of folks will be pissed to discover their exes won't just work on a tablet win8 though since I see folks constantly getting this wrong.
One of the things I like about the Prime is the price: $499 is still an industry-leading price for a leading-edge tablet with 32GB storage. I'm guessing that any sort of uber-Prime (HD screen, 2GB RAM, etc.) will be considerably more expensive.
I'm willing to go $650 for the Prime+keyboard dock. Anything more than that and I'd just bite the bullet and step up to an ultrabook and Kindle Fire combo.
http://online.wsj.com/article_email...12043639469540-lMyQjAxMTAyMDIwOTEyNDkyWj.html
good find. I can only see this as being positive for Android. plus Google store will likely be stocked up. some tablets won't be hard to find anymore. I'm sure Google would keep their online supplies stocked up. then this will also tie into Google wallet accounts. purchases made easy on Google online store through Google wallet.
Assuming this comes true, it confirms the obvious, that the laissez faire vendor adoption method has failed. Google needed to be more hands-on. Hopefully it'll be the first step in a process, as by itself, it isn't enough to win market share.
Much as I would like to get a decent $199 tab, selling widgets at a loss (or break-even) is not a winning strategy. Goog will have to cook up some magic jelly beans, then grow a beanstalk and climb out of the low-rent district. Apple the Jolly Giant is waiting at the top.
Exciting times!
dec. esryse
Ya im not disappointed by this
e.mote said:
Much as I would like to get a decent $199 tab, selling widgets at a loss (or break-even) is not a winning strategy. Goog will have to cook up some magic jelly beans, then grow a beanstalk and climb out of the low-rent district. Apple the Jolly Giant is waiting at the top.
Exciting times!
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How can you say it's not a winning strategy? Razor blade manufacturers have been doing it for years--sell the razor at a loss, make it back big-time with the razors. Amazon is doing it with the Kindle, and I think Google could benefit significantly from doing it as well. They want to sell ads on mobile devices, and I'm sure they recognize that Apple would like to take this business away from them on iOS devices. And that's not to mention selling content via Google Play.
I think a subsidized tablet could help kick-start the Android tablet market in general. At the very least, it could convince developers that they should be investing in tablet-optimized apps, which is the one thing that's missing from the equation.
While this is good news and all, Google REALLY need to start trying to get developers into making good Android Tablet apps, we are getting close to an even keel on phone apps, but Android Tablet apps lag so far behind iPad it isnt even funny!
e.mote said:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303404704577312043639469540.html
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Google bought Motorola Mobility and would NEVER rely or use Asus to throw it's own name on their tablets. Google knows Asus tablets aren't up to par with quality and could never compete with Apple on quality. I'll buy a Google branded Moto tablet instantly cause it will be of high quality and defect free. I've used 3 ipad3's already and not one had ANY light bleed at all. Strangely every Asus tablet I've touched or used had some kind of light bleed. People do see the inferior products being used.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/nvidia-ceo-suggests-199-tegra-3-tablets-in-the-summer/
He's been saying that since last year... however, I also find it to be annoying.
Anyways, if Tegra 3 devices do hit $199 price, I can only imagine how crippled other aspects in the system specifications will look like.
Btw, this notion that if more "android tablets" are in the wild.. you will see more 3rd parties developing dedicated tablet apps due to the increased potential in profit/revenue.
However, if you look into smartphone market, it's not exactly true. You certainly see growth compared to when Android Market started, but if you compared to iOS app store... it's nothing to boast about considering that Android Smartphone (as a whole) leads the share in smartphone market over iPhone.
Simply put, Android users do not spend money on apps as much as iOS users. Until this TREND changes... you won't see 3rd parties developing unique tablets apps for Android. Btw, Google's approach with unified "app" between tablet & smartphone doesn't help either.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/android-vs-iphone-economics-apps-160608285.html
>How can you say it's not a winning strategy? Razor blade manufacturers have been doing it for years...Amazon is doing it with the Kindle, and I think Google could benefit significantly from doing it as well. They want to sell ads on mobile devices
It's not a winning strategy because the razor-blade model is not yet proven on tablets. I haven't seen Amazon break out the champagne for the loads of profit from selling things through the Fire. Amazon is in a much better position to monetize from its tablet because a) it has more stuff to sell, not just ads, and b) the Fire is intentionally limited to get all its contents exclusively from Amazon. A Goog tablet won't have the same luxury, not if it were to be "open" as prior Nexus devices.
Fundamentally, it's not a winning strategy because you can't base a platform around the idea of pushing ads/wares into the user's face. Amazon is selling a portable kiosk. Google is trying to sell an entire mobile platform, and the platform has to succeed on its own merit, ie have an intrinsic worth. The rumored $199 tablet can only be a barebone, stripped down unit. It cannot compete with the incumbent iPad, nor with the more functional Win8 tablets when those appear.
I'd agree that it's a necessary stop-gap action. Goog needs to get enough devices out there so devs would develop for it. It's the same as what RIM is doing with Playbook. A $199 tab is also needed not to compete with Amazon, but prevent it from hijacking the Android platform.
The only winning strategy has to be based on the user experience, which in turn depends on the OS. Simply put, HC wasn't good enough. Based on what I've seen here of the Prime's update travails, ICS is still a beta. Fully 5 months after launch, the main improvements in 4.0.4 changelog still have the words "faster" and "more stable" and "fixes" in them. Fine for enthusiasts, not so fine for Joe Blow.
You can make it good, or you can make it cheap. Android failed on the first, so it needed to resort to the second. But the long-term solution is still to make it good.
The more tablets they spew out, the more work it takes for devs to port/update apps for that specific tablet. When the TFP came out a bunch of games didn't work (Dead Space, Gameloft, etc) and they had to take time to port it. How big of the market share do you think the TFP represents 1%? Then tmw some ABCD tablet is gonna come out and they will have to port for that again. I read somewhere that interest for Android tab delopment is actually declining unlike the smartphone market. They better get their stuff together before W8 hits.
^^^
Same thing goes for accessories...
Modded by MBOK
What Google could hopefully do is to subsidize them a bit. While we pay our 400-700€ for a tablet most of the "normal" consumer won't and most people I also won't recommend such an expensive device for the few things they would do with it.
Tablet market in general is still very small and even Apple has just a little tiny piece of it. To get it attractive for the "normal" users they have to be around 200€/$ max and Google hopefully can do that.
MysteriousDiary said:
What Google could hopefully do is to subsidize them a bit. While we pay our 400-700€ for a tablet most of the "normal" consumer won't and most people I also won't recommend such an expensive device for the few things they would do with it.
Tablet market in general is still very small and even Apple has just a little tiny piece of it. To get it attractive for the "normal" users they have to be around 200€/$ max and Google hopefully can do that.
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I dont think pricing them cheaper is gonna do a whole lot anymore. You have the iPad 2 setting the upper bar at 400 and the iPad 3 setting the absolute highest at 500 then you have the Fire setting the low bar at 200. All other tablets are stuck in the 300 area or is forced to compete with the iPad head on. And you bet 99% of consumers are gonna ask why they would want to pay more for an Android tab when they can get an iPad for cheaper.
The problem is that they need more devs on Android. How many times do we have to wait for iOS apps to hopefully be ported over. When does it ever happen the other way around?
Well there are great Android Apps who are not available for iOS. I'm always wondering why people look at iOS apps and want the exact same instead of looking what Android has to get the same job done. It's about getting the things done people want to do on their tablet - doesn't matter if the app is called a or b. Especially since ICS more and more Apps also have a native Tablet UI - thanks to the fragments. On the other side iOS still is like a stretched phone OS with it's 4x4(5) grid - even on a big tablet.
The new iPad doesn't sell well too. The sells of it are much worser than Apple seems to have expected and the workers in Foxconn got already "just" 4 day weeks and holiday because of the reduced iPad production. They also switched some production lines to other products because of the less demand in new iPads. Even the chinese sellers in blackmarket are sitting on their new iPads and can barely sell them.
http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1102&MainCatID&id=20120328000090
And while maybe about 50% of people have a SmartPhone it's maybe less than 10% or 5% for tablets. We're still far away from a bit tablet boom. For most usecases the current ones were just too expensive - those are tablets for us...the geeks. Kindle Fire is just available in the US and not all want a tablet where you barely can see and feel the Android underneath it.
I still believe in a big success of a good 199$ Tablet from Google/ASUS. It's also the perfect price range for birthday gifts.
>http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1102&MainCatID&id=20120328000090
Good anecdotal piece. It's a bit too soon to determine iPad sales, but there are caution flags out (also anecdote-based).
http://blogs.barrons.com/techtrader...s-avoid-shares-till-fyq2-ipad-sales-play-out/
>I still believe in a big success of a good 199$ Tablet from Google/ASUS.
Assuming a bit better specs than Fire, it should be a best-seller. By itself, it may well jump-start Android tab adoption/development, especially as iPad & Win8 won't be in this price range. Then again, Apple may well release the rumored $300 miniPad in 2H to put a choke hold on Android.
In that same vein, Acer & Co, masters of the cheap netbooks, may want to repeat their fortune with cheap Win8 tabs. The sticking point here is Win8's 1366x768 min res, which would preclude Win8 from cheap 7" units.
Going down the line, I can't imagine Amazon will sit still for Google to eat its lunch. We may well see a $149 Fire yet.
How low can they go?
MysteriousDiary said:
Well there are great Android Apps who are not available for iOS. I'm always wondering why people look at iOS apps and want the exact same instead of looking what Android has to get the same job done. It's about getting the things done people want to do on their tablet - doesn't matter if the app is called a or b. Especially since ICS more and more Apps also have a native Tablet UI - thanks to the fragments. On the other side iOS still is like a stretched phone OS with it's 4x4(5) grid - even on a big tablet.
The new iPad doesn't sell well too. The sells of it are much worser than Apple seems to have expected and the workers in Foxconn got already "just" 4 day weeks and holiday because of the reduced iPad production. They also switched some production lines to other products because of the less demand in new iPads. Even the chinese sellers in blackmarket are sitting on their new iPads and can barely sell them.
http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1102&MainCatID&id=20120328000090
And while maybe about 50% of people have a SmartPhone it's maybe less than 10% or 5% for tablets. We're still far away from a bit tablet boom. For most usecases the current ones were just too expensive - those are tablets for us...the geeks. Kindle Fire is just available in the US and not all want a tablet where you barely can see and feel the Android underneath it.
I still believe in a big success of a good 199$ Tablet from Google/ASUS. It's also the perfect price range for birthday gifts.
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Thanks for the shocking revelation, to me, on current Ipad sales. I love it..lol. seems like all the current issues with it and not really being an upgrade from ipad2 is hurting sales dramatically. Steve is rolling over in his grave over this latest Ipad. I hope this is the beginning of the downfall of apple. All that national
ITS LIKE THEY SAY, WHAT GOES UP, MUST COME DOWN. Apple has no where else to go but down. Seems like people realizing there are more choices in tablets other than Ipad.
MysteriousDiary said:
The new iPad doesn't sell well too. The sells of it are much worser than Apple seems to have expected and the workers in Foxconn got already "just" 4 day weeks and holiday because of the reduced iPad production. They also switched some production lines to other products because of the less demand in new iPads. Even the chinese sellers in blackmarket are sitting on their new iPads and can barely sell them.
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Click to collapse
If the iPad 3 isn't selling well then Android is selling at all. Because Apple sold 25% of the tablets Android ever sold in just 3 days. The lower workload and blackmarket sellers not being able to resell iPads could just be because Apple was better prepared compared to their iPad 2 launch (ie having preorders for the 3). Apple learned unlike ASUS did going from OG TF to the TFP.
You know news sites love to make controversies and because people will read anything related to Apple. Take the heat problem for example, there was all the controversy but then they found out that its not even that much hotter to other tablets.
xGary said:
If the iPad 3 isn't selling well then Android is selling at all. Because Apple sold 25% of the tablets Android ever sold in just 3 days. The lower workload and blackmarket sellers not being able to resell iPads could just be because Apple was better prepared compared to their iPad 2 launch (ie having preorders for the 3). Apple learned unlike ASUS did going from OG TF to the TFP.
You know news sites love to make controversies and because people will read anything related to Apple. Take the heat problem for example, there was all the controversy but then they found out that its not even that much hotter to other tablets.
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so the tens of thousands of ipads throwing up Shutting down due to overheating is controversy? especially since its well documented on apple forums and ipadforums.net, which is the largest Ipad forums. it wasn't controversies, that's a real issue with the new Ipad which got national television coverage on it in less than a week of its launch. that's one of the main reasons Ipad sales have halted. along with ipad2 users seeing no real benefits into upgrading. everyone totes it not as a real upgrade. more comparable to b.s. iPhone in-between builds. next Ipad to release will be the true upgrade to ipad2. current latest release is more like the ipad2S.
demandarin said:
so the tens of thousands of ipads throwing up Shutting down due to overheating is controversy? especially since its well documented on apple forums and ipadforums.net, which is the largest Ipad forums. it wasn't controversies, that's a real issue with the new Ipad which got national television coverage on it in less than a week of its launch. that's one of the main reasons Ipad sales have halted. along with ipad2 users seeing no real benefits into upgrading. everyone totes it not as a real upgrade. more comparable to b.s. iPhone in-between builds. next Ipad to release will be the true upgrade to ipad2. current latest release is more like the ipad2S.
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I did not see where tens of thousands of iPads shutting down due to overheating happen. Look on the iPad 3 section on the iPadForums right now. How many threads do you see with people complaining about heat? I looked through 4 pages and the only thread I saw about heat was someone asking if there was indeed a heat problem and people replying that it does get a little warmer but nothing crazy. It is an electronic, it gets warm. My TFP got hot when I played an hour of Dungeon Defender. Does the iPad get hotter? Probably. Do I notice it? No.
And Apple is set to release once a year. It is their schedule that they will stick to. People can't expect Apple to make a major breakthrough like the iPhone and iPad every year. They will make huge breakthroughs but just not every year. A lot of Android devices get crappy upgrades between versions and no one cries about it. Maybe for once there could be a huge breakthrough from Android and Apple will follow that. Why must it always be the other way around?
Interesting article on Why the Google store selling tablets online would succeed.
http://www.extremetech.com/electron...iled&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews
According to Engadget, ASUS PadFone priced and ready for pre-order in Taiwan tomorrow, launches mid-April, check it out
engadget com/2012/04/05/asus-padfone-priced-and-ready-for-pre-order-in-taiwan-tomorrow/ (sorry, doesn't allow me to insert full url)
megamoz said:
According to Engadget, ASUS PadFone priced and ready for pre-order in Taiwan tomorrow, launches mid-April, check it out
engadget com/2012/04/05/asus-padfone-priced-and-ready-for-pre-order-in-taiwan-tomorrow/ (sorry, doesn't allow me to insert full address)
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I'm interested to see if this concept pans out and people actually pick up on it. Personally I have my doubts that this will catch on. Especially with the price of the thing:
"...dual-core phone is priced at NT$17,990 (US$610), while the tablet set -- including that curious Bluetooth headset / stylus -- will set you back NT$24,980 (around US$850). If you're thinking keyboard add-ons are all the rage, expect to pay around NT$28,901 (US$980)..."
So if the phone itself is $610 and the tablet with keyboard is $980, there is no way this thing will make it. However, their wording around the pricing is a little confusing. Maybe it is $980 for the phone, tablet and dock. But even so, I would never pay that much for this.
I'm really tempted with one of these for the Mrs, both her phone and laptop are at deaths door.
If its sensibly priced for the Phone/Tablet Dock and it uses the TF201 Keyboard I'll probably bite
Its the ultimate set up for an electronics device but damn its expensive..lol. I really like it and would be so cool to own. Priced to high for me though. If the complete set would cost about $600, I'd say its worth it. But almost $1000 is too much. People will still buy it though.
I don't get it... WHY would people pay to get ONE device that just builds into another for the same price as buying 3 separate devices?
When Google finally comes out with its "cheap" Nexus tablet, getting an unlocked GSM Galaxy Nexus + tablet will probably be about $750. You telling me the keyboard dock is worth another $230?
jordache16 said:
So if the phone itself is $610 and the tablet with keyboard is $980, there is no way this thing will make it. However, their wording around the pricing is a little confusing. Maybe it is $980 for the phone, tablet and dock. But even so, I would never pay that much for this.
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Click to collapse
If it's $980 for the phone, dock, stylus/headset, and keyboard dock altogether, then that wouldn't be terribly bad considering:
1. Phones are typically in the $500-$700 range (sometimes more) unsubsidized.
2. That would make it $370 additional for the tablet, the stylus/headset, and the keyboard dock.
3. The Transformer keyboard dock is $150 by itself. So, that makes the stylus/headset and tablet only $220. And THAT wouldn't be bad considering that the tablet includes some of the pricier components of a standalone tablet, such as the battery and the screen.
I also don't think the tablet/stylus/headset/dock combo will be $980 by itself, given that the Transformer Prime 32GB is only $650 and includes a processor, RAM, radios, etc.
If the phone were subsidized to the typical $200, and then the tablet/stylus/headset/dock were an additional $370, it would probably do pretty well as people compared the combo to a phone+tablet alternative.
If it's $610 for the phone and $980 for the other components... Then seriously, ouch. It won't go anywhere.
wynand32 said:
If it's $980 for the phone, dock, stylus/headset, and keyboard dock altogether, then that wouldn't be terribly bad considering:
1. Phones are typically in the $500-$700 range (sometimes more) unsubsidized.
2. That would make it $370 additional for the tablet, the stylus/headset, and the keyboard dock.
3. The Transformer keyboard dock is $150 by itself. So, that makes the stylus/headset and tablet only $220. And THAT wouldn't be bad considering that the tablet includes some of the pricier components of a standalone tablet, such as the battery and the screen.
I also don't think the tablet/stylus/headset/dock combo will be $980 by itself, given that the Transformer Prime 32GB is only $650 and includes a processor, RAM, radios, etc.
If the phone were subsidized to the typical $200, and then the tablet/stylus/headset/dock were an additional $370, it would probably do pretty well as people compared the combo to a phone+tablet alternative.
If it's $610 for the phone and $980 for the other components... Then seriously, ouch. It won't go anywhere.
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Click to collapse
I guess if you put the price thing aside I think there is a fundamental usability problem with trying to combine the functionality of a phone and a tablet into a single device. And that is, what happens when someone tries to call you and you have the thing docked in the tablet? I am guessing you would have to either yank the think out of the tablet or use the bluetooth headset, which either way is going to be a clumsy and annoying experience (what if the bluetooth headset is not close to you, etc.).
Also, I don't want to constantly have to dock and undock my phone. This would be something that I personally would have to do a minimum of twice a day. In the morning I would leave for work and my phone would be docked in the tablet from the night before, so I would have to undock it to take my phone to work. Then once I get home from work I have to dock the phone in order to use the tablet. This would get old really fast. Currently I come home from work, plop down on the couch and grab my Prime which is right there ready to go. No setup is required.
It'll be cheaper, assuming it makes it to the US and gets carrier subsidy. That's the trick--navigating the carrier negotiations to get it approved, since you can't just pop in a SIM and use it. It may happen (for the US), since it would be a good halo device. Then again, the Moto Atrix didn't quite set any sales record.
The price isn't unreasonable once you account for all the trappings. But it's a sticker shock at first glance, because the iPad's $500 reference price is firmly ensconced in buyers' minds. "First-glance" eval can be make-or-break. It's definitely a niche item, even more than the usual 4G-enabled tablets. One indicator will be whether XDA gets enough requests to make a forum for it. But given the dearth of high-end Android tabs lately, it'll probably get a forum regardless.
I'm leery of its complexity. Asus has a less-than-stellar QC record with its tablets to date, both in hardware and firmware. Of course, prudence isn't exactly an early adopter trait, and kids must have their shiny toys. Prime users will have ample company in extolling their love of Asus products.
I re-watched the PadFone announcement to take stock, and Shih dude always cracks me up. He's the definition of "camp."
I would seriously pick the Padphone if it supported US Tmobile's HSPA+ (4g) 1700/2100 bands.
What is the point of this anyways. Why buy this instead of a separate phone and tablet...
e.mote said:
It'll be cheaper, assuming it makes it to the US and gets carrier subsidy. That's the trick--navigating the carrier negotiations to get it approved, since you can't just pop in a SIM and use it. It may happen (for the US), since it would be a good halo device. Then again, the Moto Atrix didn't quite set any sales record.
The price isn't unreasonable once you account for all the trappings. But it's a sticker shock at first glance, because the iPad's $500 reference price is firmly ensconced in buyers' minds. "First-glance" eval can be make-or-break. It's definitely a niche item, even more than the usual 4G-enabled tablets. One indicator will be whether XDA gets enough requests to make a forum for it. But given the dearth of high-end Android tabs lately, it'll probably get a forum regardless.
I'm leery of its complexity. Asus has a less-than-stellar QC record with its tablets to date, both in hardware and firmware. Of course, prudence isn't exactly an early adopter trait, and kids must have their shiny toys. Prime users will have ample company in extolling their love of Asus products.
I re-watched the PadFone announcement to take stock, and Shih dude always cracks me up. He's the definition of "camp."
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Click to collapse
Ah, lmfao. I had to pause the video as i couldn't stop laughing. I love it. THAT guy is quite a character. More people need to show that kind of Enthusiasm towards Prime and Asus products. That was a good laugh. Then add in the fact that he's very animated also, Classic.
He is like "Is this a pad?" Love it! Lol
megamoz said:
According to Engadget, ASUS PadFone priced and ready for pre-order in Taiwan tomorrow, launches mid-April, check it out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So Taiwan only?
jordache16 said:
So if the phone itself is $610 and the tablet with keyboard is $980, there is no way this thing will make it. However, their wording around the pricing is a little confusing. Maybe it is $980 for the phone, tablet and dock. But even so, I would never pay that much for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing it's $980 for the whole set, although the way it's worded in the article is admittedly a bit confusing. It wouldn't make sense for the padfone station with the keyboard dock to cost that much by itself, considering it's more than a prime with its keyboard dock, and the prime is actually a fully functioning tablet on its own, including on board memory, cpu etc., whereas the padfone station is just a shell for the phone with only some of the on board components of a tablet.
In any case, assuming my previous assumption is correct, $980 isn't that bad, considering the price you would pay for a separate phone and a tablet like the transformer with its keyboard dock. I wonder how much extra for the 32GB and 64GB models, considering that listed price is likely for the base 16GB model.
>$980 isn't that bad
In sales, never let the prospective buyer start talking about the price first. Sizzle always comes first, and price should be hidden away in a safe place until you finish the pitch. Once you got the mark to say "price isn't that bad," you know you've netted another one.
Anyway, as any purveyor of high-end toys would say, if you have to ask about the price, this isn't for you. The niche that this product targets is not price sensitive.
Rogue100 said:
So Taiwan only?
I'm guessing it's $980 for the whole set, although the way it's worded in the article is admittedly a bit confusing. It wouldn't make sense for the padfone station with the keyboard dock to cost that much by itself, considering it's more than a prime with its keyboard dock, and the prime is actually a fully functioning tablet on its own, including on board memory, cpu etc., whereas the padfone station is just a shell for the phone with only some of the on board components of a tablet.
In any case, assuming my previous assumption is correct, $980 isn't that bad, considering the price you would pay for a separate phone and a tablet like the transformer with its keyboard dock. I wonder how much extra for the 32GB and 64GB models, considering that listed price is likely for the base 16GB model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
32GB padfone is the only one model which will be sold in Taiwan.
some pictures from one Taiwanese website
tinyurl.com/bpagq2w
Do you guys know if you can buy just the phone? I'm looking for an upgrade in the next 3-4 months an the specs of the phone seem just perfect for my needs. But i already have the TP so no need for the other stuff
bans0n said:
32GB padfone is the only one model which will be sold in Taiwan.
some pictures from one Taiwanese website
tinyurl.com/bpagq2w
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Click to collapse
So then what about USA?
xGary said:
What is the point of this anyways. Why buy this instead of a separate phone and tablet...
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Click to collapse
The value would be:
1. All info (photos, video, downloaded files, documents, etc.) stored in one place and accessible in both phone and tablet formats.
2. One cellular plan used with both phone and tablet formats (assuming the carriers go along with it). So, imagine your usual phone and data line, only usable for both a phone and a tablet (without the pain and hassle of tethering).
3. Ability to switch instantly from the phone to the tablet in terms of workflow. Imagine taking notes on the phone and deciding you'd rather take them on the tablet. Rather than saving the note on the phone, switching to a tablet, navigating to and opening the note on the tablet, and finding your place, you just pop the phone in the tablet and keep working. Now imagine the same with the keyboard dock.
4. Instant charger for the phone. Running low on the phone's battery? Toss it into the tablet for a quick recharge. Maybe even while on a call.
I can see some real advantages to such a platform. If it came to Sprint and the phone was nicely subsidized, and $370 for the tablet, stylus/headset, keyboard dock, I'd give it a strong look.
e.mote said:
It'll be cheaper, assuming it makes it to the US and gets carrier subsidy. That's the trick--navigating the carrier negotiations to get it approved, since you can't just pop in a SIM and use it. It may happen (for the US), since it would be a good halo device. Then again, the Moto Atrix didn't quite set any sales record.
The price isn't unreasonable once you account for all the trappings. But it's a sticker shock at first glance, because the iPad's $500 reference price is firmly ensconced in buyers' minds. "First-glance" eval can be make-or-break. It's definitely a niche item, even more than the usual 4G-enabled tablets. One indicator will be whether XDA gets enough requests to make a forum for it. But given the dearth of high-end Android tabs lately, it'll probably get a forum regardless.
I'm leery of its complexity. Asus has a less-than-stellar QC record with its tablets to date, both in hardware and firmware. Of course, prudence isn't exactly an early adopter trait, and kids must have their shiny toys. Prime users will have ample company in extolling their love of Asus products.
I re-watched the PadFone announcement to take stock, and Shih dude always cracks me up. He's the definition of "camp."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might not come to the US. When it was announced at WMC I emailed Hai at asus because I wanted to know if they would also sell the handset separately without the tablet because I really like the handset but cant justify spending that much on a 4th tablet (I have the tf 101, 201 and a HTC evo view) he replied with this: I hope it does change because I am fond of the handset
"For the Padfone. I do not think it will be released in North American shores. The market it too saturated over here with cellular devices and our partnerships with USA/CANADA cellular carriers view it the same way. I’ll let you know if this changes."
>I emailed Hai at asus
Since Hai is more forthcoming about Asus info, and is a tech mgr, perhaps you can send him a query about the getting of NVFlash to work alongside the BL unlock. Seems to be a point of complaints around here, and I didn't see much movement in getting the matter to Asus' attention.
---------- Post added at 06:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:51 PM ----------
>One cellular plan used with both phone and tablet formats
From the rumblings, untied data plan is coming to US carriers anyway. From the users' view, it doesn't make sense to pay multiple data plans, now that multiple-device ownership is more common. From the carriers' view, it would be good business, since the tied-plan requirement undoubtedly inhibits sales of other devices. The more devices the user owns = the more bandwidth he's likely to use = the higher capacity plan he's likely to buy.
>Ability to switch instantly from the phone to the tablet in terms of workflow
That's the promise of all these all-in-one (AIO) devices, but the devil is in the details. Historically, most fall short. Asus doesn't have a track record in high-end consumer electronics, and its present record in tablet isn't encouraging. We'll see when the reviews roll in.
Anyway, as graffixnyc mentioned, I don't see this coming to the US. Asus has little presence in the US smartphone market. Carriers tend to be a conservative lot.
I don't see why tethering can't just apart of data plans at no additional charge; i'd willing to give-up my 'unlimited' data, that they throttle anyways, for 5gigs a month. In exchange to be able to use my phone as a wifi spot for my tablet for important needs. Hell, I don't even get close to using 5gigs of data a month anyways.
Most places have a Wifi spot, but it seems that the most ideal places to take advantage of a mobile entertainment/productivity device, are locations that don't offer Wifi. For example, sitting outside for 30min. waiting for the kids to get out of school. Inside a doctors office around complete strangers that no one really wants to socialize with.
That's why this idea of the padfone kind of makes me upset. It's just another way to force consumers into something that should already have been integrated, and can ALREADY be supported by most devices on the market.
In closing, I'm looking forward to what Windows 8 platform has to offer in the next couple of years. Whether or not people want to admit it, Windows is the most widely used O/S in terms of user end. So ALL devices under one platform, given the support from one of the biggest and most successful companies, with a 'little' bit of the freedom linux/android has. Will be really exciting.
For now, I'll enjoy my iPhone4 and ATP! I'll probably trade the i4 for a android once I qualify for an upgrade. I due love the prime, but again, can't use it in some places I'd like to use it most.