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ASUS' MeMO Pad 7 gets a new chic look, lighter body and sharper screen
It's IFA, so of course ASUS is going to launch a new tablet. This time it's a new MeMO Pad 7 (ME572C) that not only sports a different Intel Atom chip (the 64-bit quad-core Z3560 that clocks up to 1.83GHz), but also has a new chic look that's "inspired by clutch bags and wallets," as well as a screen upgrade to a whopping 1,920 x 1,200 resolution (323 ppi) -- a nice jump from the predecessor's 1,280 x 800 panel. The new Android 4.4 tablet is also thinner at 8.3mm and slimmer at 269 grams, thanks to its fiberglass body, duralumin frame and slim screen bezels. Other features include 2GB of RAM, 16 or 32GB of internal storage, up to 64GB of microSD expansion, up to 16GB of free cloud storage, dual speakers and 5MP/2MP cameras.
ASUS MeMO Pad 7 and 8 review: small, speedy tablets that cut a few corners
The MeMO Pad HD 7 was arguably the sleeper hit among small tablets in 2013. ASUS' device didn't have the speed of the Nexus 7 or the interface tricks of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 line, but it was superbly balanced. It ran smoothly, packed smart software and (most importantly) carried a sub-$200 price. For that reason, this year's MeMO Pad 7 and 8 are potentially exciting; they stick to that familiar formula while bringing in faster processors and a fresher interface. What's not to like? As you'll find out in our review, there are a few aspects that definitely need improvement, or even take steps backward -- but it's also clear that ASUS has budget-tablet design down to a science.
ASUS shows off MeMO Pad 8 and 10, budget tablets arriving before year's end (hands-on)
Hungry for more ASUS IFA debuts? The company trucked out the two newest additions to its MeMO Pad tablet line, the 8 and 10, both budget devices set to arrive before the holidays. What all that actually means in terms of pricing and availability, however, the company's not quite ready to say -- though we assume that, at the very least, they'll come in under flagship slates of similar size. Thankfully, however, ASUS did let us spend some time with both products. The 8-inch device isn't the highest-end mini-tablet we've seen (that might be the new Nexus 7), but the company's done a good job building a solid-feeling slate. The front of the MeMO Pad 8 is extremely glossy -- it's fine in normal indoor lighting, but when we took the tablet up on the roof to check out the panoramic view of Berlin, it was a bit more problematic. Continuing our tour, above the 1,280 x 800 display you'll find a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera, and in the bottom bezel there's a shiny silver ASUS logo.
The Daily Roundup for 07.31.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Listing for 7-inch ASUS tablet with Bluetooth LE sets tongues a-wagging
We've been hearing mumblings that the next version of Android will get a new Bluetooth stack with v4.0 Low Energy (LE) goodness for a while now. That, at least, explains why the Nexus 4 and Galaxy Nexus have been re-sent through the Bluetooth SIG in order to gain approval for the newer standard. What's less clear is what the ASUS K008, an apparently new 7-inch slate from the company, is doing supporting v4.0 LE. Our dour belief is that ASUS is merely future-proofing its forthcoming MeMo Pad HD 7, but perhaps "K008" is optimistic latin for "second-generation Nexus 7 with Android 4.3."
ASUS' Jerry Shen flaunts unannounced MeMo Pad FHD 10 LTE, due Q3 with Snapdragon
Even after its press events earlier this week, ASUS still had something up its sleeve for Computex. At a Qualcomm keynote just now, ASUS CEO Jerry Shen took the opportunity to tease an unannounced Android tablet, which is due Q3 this year. Given that it was a Qualcomm event, it was no surprise that the exec confirmed the presence of a Snapdragon chip along with LTE radio on this mysterious slate. Shen also mentioned a full HD display, and given the similar appearance but with a different port layout, we are led to believe that this device will simply be an LTE variant of the new MeMo Pad FHD 10 sans Intel Atom. This could even turn out to be the K005 that we saw in the FCC database, as the MeMo Pad FHD 10 carries the K00A model number. Anyhow, here's Shen's full speech about the tablet: "In Q3 of this year, we will raise the bar of mobile devices by launching an incredible LTE tablet, which will have Qualcomm Snapdragon, full HD display and ASUS SonicMaster to bring our consumers the most superior and seamless mobile experience. I will save the rest for our launch event in the fall." Update: ASUS just confirmed to us that the tablet is conveniently called the MeMo Pad FHD 10 LTE. What a mouthful!
ASUS MeMo Pad HD 7 coming to the US for $149; emerging markets get 8GB $129 version (hands-on)
Joining ASUS' MeMo Pad family today are a couple of self-explanatory models: the MeMo Pad HD 7 and the MeMo Pad FHD 10. While we've already gotten to test out the 10-inch model, this is the first we've seen of the 7-incher. Like the current Nexus 7, which this is going to replace, it has a 1,280 x 800 screen. With this new generation, though, it adds 5-megapixel and 1.2-megapixel cameras, SonicMaster audio and an ARM Cortex A7 quad-core CPU. Oh, and it adds a microSD slot and a micro-USB socket, two things the Nexus 7 doesn't have. Unlike a Nexus product, the OS is the slightly older Android 4.0. (Update: ASUS has confirmed that the tablet will launch with up-to-date Android 4.2. Apologies for any confusion.) The big news here, however, is the price. As Chairman Jonney Shih said during its reveal, we needed our cameras, because it'll arrive priced at a pretty incredible $149 for 16GB and $129 for 8GB. In addition, he clarified that the super-low-cost $129 version is aimed at emerging markets for now, though the $149 model is headed to the US and elsewhere. We're not sure when that'll be, but for now, with these prices and specs, consider us tempted. In the meantime, head past the break for the full hands-on treatment.%Gallery-190088%
ASUS announces the MeMo Pad FHD 10: dual-core Intel Atom processor and a 1,920 x 1,200 display (hands-on)
ASUS has just unveiled a new tablet, and it marks the return of the MeMo Pad series. This one is a 10-inch, 9.5mm-thick slab, housing both a dual-core, 1.6GHz Intel processor and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean -- another Clover Trail+ powered tablet from the Taiwanese company. Perhaps just as notable is the inclusion of a 1,920 x 1,200 backlit 10-inch screen -- one that's capable of 1080p video playback and one that performed just as admirably as recent ASUS tablets. We're promised 10 hours of use from the 25Wh battery, with all the requisite Bluetooth (3.0), WiFi (802.11 a/b/g/n) and GPS connectivity. There are also dual speakers but we're waiting to confirm if this means stereo sound. It'll arrive in two configurations: 16GB and 32GB, in either dark blue and white. The whole package weighs in at just 580g and we just got to handle it for ourselves -- check out our impressions and hands-on video right after the break. We'll be updating the post with pricing and availability when we hear more. %Gallery-190075%
ASUS' 7-inch MeMo Pad now on sale for $150
Cheap tablets are currently on the rise, but not just low-end hardware from manufacturers that you've probably never heard of -- true consumer electronics heavyweights are getting in on the action. Today, ASUS unleashed its $150 MeMo Pad to the frugal masses. This 7-inch slab packs a 1GHz single-core VIA WM8950 processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, a 1-megapixel front-facing shooter and Android 4.1. While its specs aren't anything to sound-off about, this distant cousin to the highly acclaimed Nexus 7, might be worth considering if your budget happens to fall $50 shy of Google's entry-level slate.
ASUS sends two MeMo Pad tablets with WiFi through the FCC
It's tempting to think of ASUS' Eee Pad MeMo line as a distant memory, and not entirely without merit -- the ME370T was quickly subsumed into the Google family as the Nexus 7, while the ME171 has played second fiddle to the Transformer Pad line. There might be a revival underway soon, if you believe the FCC. The agency has approved two ASUS tablets, the MSQK001 and MSQK0W, with both tentatively rebranded as MeMo Pads. Unfortunately, that's about all we know; other than the slabs carrying WiFi networking, there's no clear giveaways in the relevant filings. We consequently can't tell whether any of them is the rumored ME172V or something truly undiscovered. As long as these aren't retreads of existing models, they still sustain ASUS' plans for a low-cost tablet line under its own name.
Google Nexus tablet appears in benchmarks, appears to run on quad-core Tegra 3
ASUS's seven-inch MeMo tablet has just ducked under the FCC's gates, but some benchmark results for a purported Google and ASUS team-up could tally with the same device. According to the listing, the Google Asus Nexus 7 will arrive with NVIDIA's quad-core Tegra 3 CPU, clocked at 1.3 GHz, while that (presumably) 7-inch screen packs a 768 x 1280 resolution. The hardware specs end there, but thanks to some investigation by Android Police and Rightware, it appears that this mystery tablet is running Android 4.1 -- possibly the version number for Android's next iteration, Jelly Bean. There are several more hints adding credence to these benchmark results, including the fish-based "grouper" codename, which follows the Stingray moniker that was handed to the Motorola Xoom ahead of its reveal. We're just itching to know whether it'll still manage a sub-$300 price-tag.
7-inch ASUS Eee Memo Pad gets leaked, 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon inside
The ASUS news, it just keeps on flowin'. Shortly after getting a sneak peek at the Eee PC Flare, in flies yet another leaked image of yet another leaked ASUS product. This go 'round, we're looking at what's purportedly the 7-inch Eee Memo Pad, a handy little fellow that we've actually heard about before. We're told that it'll ship with a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 16GB to 64GB of internal storage space, built-in 3G, WiFi and a 1,280 x 800 screen resolution, and it's apt to be revisited at CES 2012 before launching as an Asia-only product later in the year. It's hard to say what edition of Android will pop up when this is formally unveiled next week at CES, but we're guessing that it'll stick its tongue out at the long-awaited Padfone as it's introduced, regardless.