transformerprime
Latest
Transformer Prime falls at the hands of XDA dev, rooted
'Twas just days ago that we reported upon developer uproar over the locked bootloader currently taking up residence on the ASUS Transformer Prime -- and now it looks like some of that pain has been alleviated. A tinkerer over at xda-developers has published viperMOD Primer to help you easily root -- or unroot -- your shiny new laptop-tablet hybrid. The software necessary to apply the mod is only available for Windows at the moment, although developer -viperboy- is promising a Linux version in the not-too-distant future. Go ahead, pop the hood on your Prime and take a good look around. Update: While XDA member -viperboy- created the viperMOD Primer tool, it should be noted that the NachoRoot exploit used by viperMOD was developed by TeamAndIRC. [Thanks, Gez]
Ice Cream Sandwich coming to the Transformer Prime January 12th
You might still be reveling in all the fun delivered by the latest update to the Transformer Prime firmware, but ASUS has some even better news -- Ice Cream Sandwich is coming, and soon! In a post on Facebook the company announced that it would begin rolling out the latest version of the Android OS to its flagship tablet starting January 12th. The post isn't all celebration and back pats however, ASUS takes time to thank its customers for their patience before addressing the elephants in the room -- GPS and the locked bootloader. While it does acknowledge there is an issue with GPS signal, thanks to the metal unibody construction, the company does skirt responsibility by claiming the Transformer is "not a professional GPS device" and admits to removing the feature from its specs and marketing materials. Lastly, ASUS explains that the locked bootloader is essential for access to content from Google's video market thanks to DRM restrictions, but it promises an unlock utility is in the work for those who want it.
ASUS Transformer Prime sees v8.8.3.33 OTA update, GPS and performance improved
For as much grief as ASUS is getting for its Transformer Prime, we're actually kind of surprised it's throwing the masses any bones at all. 'Course, one might say that having a riled-up customer base is better than having no customer base at all. Regardless of all that, a relatively small v8.8.3.33 update is purportedly hitting select Prime tablets today, with the over-the-air update bringing improved focus on the camera, bolstered touchscreen performance and enhanced GPS speed. Unfortunately, that last one seems to be nothing more than the automatic enabling of WiFi to "download satellite location information," but hey -- that's one less step for you, right?. As with all updates, we'd caution against installing this one if you're already working with some homegrown firmware, but everyone else should be welcoming the new bits and bytes with open arms.
ASUS now catching heat for locked Transformer Prime bootloader, probably wishes the thing was never made
Man, talk about not being able to catch a break. After launching what was largely considered the first Android tablet worth drooling over at AsiaD, ASUS has ran into every conceivable issue in the months since. Delays, on-again / off-again claims about GPS and now, a locked bootloader that has the vocal Android modding community all sorts of angry. The primary issue here is that the Prime is a WiFi-only device, which leaves little room for ASUS to justify its decision to thwart the use of uncertified ROMs. Of course, HTC has faced similar pressures in the past, and its decision to cut loose of the locked bootloader chains won it universal praise from a universal audience. Time for ASUS to step up and do likewise?
Switched On: The 2011 Switchies
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. It's that special time of year between the post-holiday sales and the pre-CES hype that presents an opportunity to consider some of the most innovative devices of the year. Switched On is proud to present the Saluting Wares Improving Technology's Contribution to Humanity awards, also known as The Switchies. This year marks the sixth annual Switchies, which are decided based on a rigorous examination of the opinion of me, and do not reflect the opinion of Engadget or its editors. For that latter honor, nominees will need to win an Engadget Award. Let's roll out the red carpet then.
Transformer Optimus Prime wants his name back, right now preferably
In a cunning bid to remind the adult world of its long-lost childhood, in which even the most vacuous fictional characters could somehow seem magical, Hasbro has suddenly decided to sue ASUS over its 'Transformer Prime' branding. It doesn't matter that the Transformer Prime really does transform -- you know, in real-life -- or that it exists in a non-competing market, or that the latest Transformers movie was a complete waste of everybody's time. Nope, Hasbro still feels the need to "aggressively protect its brands and products" from illusory enemies, and it's fully prepared to threaten ASUS with a sales injunction until some sort of conciliatory gesture appears on its bank statement. If this lawsuit takes hold -- please, not another Düsseldorf -- then we promise that our future children will never buy, watch or touch a single Hasbro product. Except maybe that R2-D2 version of Operation, which is pretty sweet.
ASUS Transformer Prime pre-order shipments delayed at Best Buy, Amazon
ASUS' Eee Pad Transformer Prime has already suffered a few setbacks on its march to the US market and unfortunately, it looks as if another obstacle may be on the horizon. According to a handful of tips we've received this morning, Best Buy has been sending out emails to users who pre-ordered the new tablet for delivery this week, informing them that shipments have been "back-ordered," and delayed by one to two weeks. This means, of course, that some buyers may not receive the device until after Christmas. In its email, Best Buy gave its customers the option of canceling their orders outright, replacing it with a similar device, or searching the product at a brick and mortar location (a customer service rep told us that the Transformer Prime is not in stock). Some who ordered the slate on Amazon, meanwhile, have received emails informing them that their orders were "inadvertently canceled," and offering them the chance to pre-order it again today, along with a $10 gift card to make up for the inconvenience. We'll be following this story closely, so check this space for any further updates. Here's ASUS's official statement: "ASUS started filling the inventory pipelines this past week for our new Eee Pad Transformer Prime and will continue to do so on an expedited basis for the foreseeable future. We will reach normal inventory levels in January for the North American market based on current orders and forecasts. Based on forecasted supply schedules to our valued partners we expect pre-order allocation fulfillment to occur shortly and online or in-store availability in the very near future. We will continue to work closely with our partners to fill customer orders as quickly as possible." [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Transformer Prime heading to UK shelves next month, bundled with dock for complete transformation
ASUS has excelled at building up the global Transformer craze, and although there's been a few hiccups along the way, the quad-core beast is set to start hitting shelves around the world in the weeks ahead. According to Pocket-lint, the Taiwanese company has given confirmation that the newest Eee Pad on the block is hitting Great Britain in January. You'll be surprised to hear that the Prime won't be coming as a lone wolf, instead being bundled with its mighty dock companion and priced at £499 (around $770 in Greenbacks) for the 32GB WiFI-only version. We'd offer you a look at our review in the meantime, but on second thought, that probably makes the wait that much more unbearable...
Motorola Xyboard 8.2 review
The march of the Honeycomb tablets goes on, playing a tune that's starting to get a bit muted thanks to the promise of fresher beats coming from Ice Cream Sandwich. Still, there are plenty of ways for manufacturers to add their own bit of swing to the same 'ol song. Motorola, of course, paved the way for all these slates with the Xoom. It's hard to believe that first Honeycomb tablet was released just 10 months ago, but now we have its successor, the Xyboard, here in its 8.2-inch guise. At least, that's what it's being called domestically. Elsewhere it's the Xoom 2 (we reviewed the 10.1-inch flavor already), but in America we get a patently unfortunate moniker for a tablet that offers an interesting design at an interesting size with the interesting bonus of LTE. But, all that mobile bandwidth is going to cost you: $430 for the 16GB model or $530 for 32GB if you sign on for a two-year data contract. Does the funky design, convenient size and high-rate connectivity make up for the added cost over something like the class-leading Transformer Prime? Let's find out. %Gallery-141915%
ASUS delays Transformer Prime's release until WiFi fix is found (update: Prime to be released the week of 12/19)
If you were hoping to get you hands on a Transformer Prime this month, prepare to be disappointed. After hearing rumors of the ASUS slate's delay due to Wifi issues, we've now received confirmation from ASUS Canada via one of our tipsters. The company says that "the WiFi range on the TF201 did not meet our quality standards" and that it will not release the product until the wireless is up to snuff. In order to combat the issue, ASUS "will be implementing a new solution," though it declined to elaborate on what the solution would be. Naturally, no timetable for the Transformer Prime's release was provided either. So, if you jumped on the pre-order, let us know if you've heard the same song and dance from ASUS in the comments below. [Thanks, George] Update: We heard back from ASUS US and were told the Prime is still scheduled for release the week of 12 / 19.
ASUS Transformer Prime origami-style Smart Cover is ready for its closeup (video)
ASUS Taiwan's been busy updating its Facebook with pictures of all its BFFs, completing the 30-day music challenge and posting a video of the Transformer Prime's new origami-style smart cover. Slotting into two hook-holes on the side of the bezel, it folds into a cunning stand that props the tablet at a variety of angles -- disconnecting with a gentle pull (and a slightly sickening metallic scraping noise). After which, it probably posted a message about wanting an unlike button and played some Farmville. If you wanna see how easy the cover is to position, head on past the break to watch it in action in glorious high definition. [Thanks, dy4me]
Amazon canceling some Transformer Prime pre-orders, supply shortages to blame
Were you one of the eager beavers who pre-ordered ASUS' new superslate, the Transformer Prime, from Amazon? It turns out, demand for the tablet was so great that it's outstripped the retailer's supply, so Bezos' business is apparently canceling orders placed on or after November 22nd and issuing refunds. Sad news for those who had their hearts set on getting the Prime this holiday season, but maybe it's a blessing in disguise -- the delay gives you the opportunity to size up the competition before taking the quad-core plunge. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime review
Is there any tablet that's hotter than the Transformer Prime right now? (Please, don't say the Kindle Fire.) For weeks we geeks, early adopters and people who love their tech toys have been awaiting this, and none too patiently. Make no mistake: this will be one of the slickest products we test this year and it isn't just because the original Transformer had such an inventive design. The Prime is the first device packing NVIDIA's hot-off-the-presses Tegra 3 SoC, making it the world's first quad-core tablet. This comes with promises of longer-than-ever runtime and blazing performance (five times faster than Tegra 2, to be exact), all wrapped in a package measuring just 8.3mm (0.33 inches) thick -- even skinnier than the iPad 2 or Galaxy Tab 10.1. Throw in specs like a Super IPS+ Gorilla Glass display, eight megapixel rear camera and a confirmed ICS update in the pipe and even we seen-it-all Engadget editors were drooling. All of which means we dropped just everything when a 32GB Prime showed up on our doorstep earlier this week, and soon enough, you'll have your chance to nab one too. ASUS announced today that the WiFi-only models will be available through online sellers the week of December 19th, and in retail the week after. (No word yet on 3G versions for the US just yet.) It'll start at $499 for the 32GB model -- not bad considering five hundred bucks is the going rate for a high-end tablet with 16GB of storage. From there you can get a 64GB number for $599, while that signature keyboard dock will set you back a further $149. Worth it? Read on to find out. %Gallery-140706%
ASUS Transformer Prime pre-order page points to December 8th release date
We were expecting ASUS' Eee Pad Transformer Prime to hit the market sometime next month, but a new pre-order page on Newegg may have just revealed a slightly more specific date. Of course, the Tegra 3-packing tablet has already gone up for pre-order on a host of retail sites, but Newegg's listing is the first to peg December 8th for its release. Its $500 price tag also dovetails nicely with what we've previously heard, though ASUS has yet to weigh in with its official word. Interested parties can grab a piece of the Prime at the source link, below. [Thanks, Nivin]
Eee Pad Transformer Prime gets handled, fawned over
We've seen the Eee Pad Transformer Prime work out its camera, take a bite out of Ice Cream Sandwich and slide through a Portuguese hands-on, but we're more than happy to take a peek at Ritchie's Room's "first look" as well. Their impressions? Pretty positive -- Ritchie had nary a negative thing to say about the ASUS slate, optimistically noting that folks screaming for ice cream will eventually be able to sooth their throats with an update. The outfit confirmed a handful of details we'd already deduced -- the prime's svelte 8.33mm (0.33 inches) and 586 gram (1.29 pound) measurements leave it just a hair thinner than the iPad 2, and as we suspected, make it incompatible with the original Transformer's keyboard dock. Hit the source link below for a mess of photos and a glowing write-up.
ASUS Transformer Prime gets a stomach full of Ice Cream Sandwich (video)
Sure, the Transformer Prime has been official for a couple of weeks now, but we haven't seen the 10-inch tablet get much action, aside from a few quick hands-ons. ASUS is finally ready to show us the quad-core Tegra 3 tablet -- running Ice Cream Sandwich, no less. The tablet won't actually ship with the brain-freezing mobile OS, but the company has promised a sweet, sweet upgrade. Check out the video, including 1080p video playback and some time with the quad-core-friendly Riptide GP after the break.%Gallery-140063%%Gallery-140066% Update: We've also gotten a peek at what looks to be the user manual for the new Transformer. Check it out in the second gallery above. [Thanks, Jeremy]
ASUS' Origami-like Transformer Prime Smart Cover hits Amazon, sporting luxurious folds
The Eee Pad Transformer Prime has yet to start shipping, but when it does, you'll be able to wrap it up in this specialized Smart Cover, from ASUS. Spotted on Amazon's German site, this Origami-like accessory will prop up your Prime in either a vertical or horizontal lying position, much like some of those other "intelligent" covers we've seen. The folds look decidedly ornate, but we'll have to wait a little longer before trying it out for ourselves. It's available now for €39 (about $53), though at the time of this writing, it's also out of stock. %Gallery-139723%
Sample shots: ASUS Transformer Prime camera gets a workout
The photographer's mantra is "the best camera is the one that's with you" -- a lazy philosophy that gets them out of having to walk everywhere with a DSLR in case the aliens invade. Fortunately, if they're toting 'round ASUS' new Eee Pad Transformer Prime, it won't matter. Instead they can use the eight megapixel, f/2.4 aperture auto-focusing snapper to capture the carnage in glorious HD, with a back-illuminated CMOS to ensure that color enhancement is 30 percent better than similar devices. We've got some sample shots from the company to show off just how good your pictures will be (if you've got the backing of a major hardware corporation, a world-class lighting rig and Photoshop) if you start capturing life with just this handy transforming tablet. [Thanks, Timlot] %Gallery-139388%
ASUS Transformer Prime already getting the hands-on treatment
Considering ASUS just officially let the quad-core cat out of the bag two days ago, we didn't expect to see an Eee Pad Transformer Prime hands-on claw its way to the surface quite this quickly. Nonetheless, here's the first hands-on (that we've seen anyway) of an engineering model of the pioneering tablet. According to Mr. Henrique Martin over at ZTOP, the Prime's big standouts are sound quality and speed (no real surprise there). He's also given us a glimpse at a couple of software updates courtesy of ASUS. It's not the most in-depth first look we've ever seen, but we'll take it. For more photos and videos of the Tegra 3 tablet running Shadowgun and Supernotes, hit the source link below.
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime: 10-inch Super IPS+ display, 12-hour battery and quad-core Tegra 3, ships in December for $499
For three weeks now, Android fans have been fidgeting impatiently. Specifically, ever since ASUS chairman Jonney Shih took the stage at last month's AsiaD conference and teased the next-gen Transformer tablet. Though he only gave us a quick glimpse, he recited a laundry list of specs: a 10.1-inch display, 8.3mm-thick body, mini-HDMI output, microSD slot and an update to Ice Cream Sandwich by the end of the year, if not sooner. Not to mention, it'll pack NVIDIA's hot-off-the-presses Tegra 3 SoC, making it the first-ever quad-core tablet. We knew this: we'd learn more on November 9th. Well, that day has come, and so have the juicy details. We just got word that the tablet will go on sale worldwide in December, starting at $499 with a beefy 32GB of storage, moving up to $599 for a 64GB model. (That signature keyboard dock you see up there will cost $149.) In addition to those basic specs Mr. Shih revealed last month, we now know this has a 1280 x 800, Super IPS+ Gorilla Glass display with a 178-degree viewing angle and a max brightness of 600 nits. It also packs 1GB of RAM, GPS, a gyroscope, SonicMaster audio and a 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera. Rounding out the list is an 8MP shooter with an auto-focusing f/2.4 lens and a back-illuminated CMOS sensor that captures 1080p video. Touch-to-focus is also an option here, and ASUS claims a 30 percent boost in color enhancement over competing tabs. As for battery life, we initially heard reports of 14.5-hour runtime, but ASUS is now saying the tablet alone can squeeze out 12 hours thanks to a 22Wh battery, and that the dock will add an additional six hours of juice. In addition, the slimmed-down, 1.2-pound dock brings all the other benefits the last-gen model offered, including a touchpad, USB 2.0 port and full-sized SD slot. Software-wise, it'll ship with Android 3.2 and apps such as SuperNote and Polaris Office, and we're told we'll learn more about that ICS update in "early December." In terms of design, you may have already noticed the Prime sports the same spun aluminum digs as the company's Zenbooks, though this is the first time we're seeing clear, close-up shots of it -- and in two colors, no less! At 8.3mm (0.33 inches) thick and 586 grams (1.29 pounds) without the dock, it's a smidge skinnier than the iPad 2 and Galaxy Tab 10.1, which means, unsurprisingly, that your old Transformer dock won't be compatible. Finally, ASUS coated both the display and metal cover with a hydro-oleophobic coating that makes it more fingerprint-resistant. For now, we've got photos below and if you can wait a few more weeks, we'll most definitely be putting this thing through its paces in a full review. And if you're looking for something a little less expensive, well, the original Transformer should be getting Ice Cream Sandwich soon, and we wouldn't be surprised if Santa brought a few holiday rebates. %Gallery-138833%
