CES 2014 - ASUS Padfone Mini

RELATED ARTICLES
Padfone X for ATandT
ASUS Zenfone 4,5,6
ASUS VivoTab note8
ASUS Transformer Book duet

Shortly after AT&T said that it will bring the Asus PadFone X smartphone/tablet hybrid to US customers, Asus announced that it has manufactured a junior-sized version of it as well. Aptly named the PadFone Mini, this device still enables users to plug their handset directly into their tablet, but in a smaller package.

The Mini smartphone includes a 4-inch IPS+ display with an 800x480-pixel resolution and Android 4.3 (which Asus reported will be upgradable to 4.4 KitKat at a later time). Powering the device is a non-removable 1,170mAh battery. Though this handset doesn't include LTE, it does include dual SIMs for those who travel frequently or desire two separate phone numbers.

Along with a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, the device features an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera. This five-element lens shooter packs a backside-illumination sensor from Sony, as well as an f/2.0 aperture. It is capable of recording 1080p video, and a few photo editing options include HDR shooting and a low-light mode.

As for the tablet, it is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen, and has a 1,280x800ppixel resolution. It's powered by a 2,100mAh, bringing the entire power capacity of the PadFone Mini unit to 3,270mAh.

On its rear side is a 24-pin connector dock, which is used to hold and connect the accompanying smartphone in its place. The tablet can also be used to juice the handset's battery while docking as well.

Altogether, the PadFone Mini unit weighs 0.82 pounds and it's powered by a 1.6GHz Atom Z2560 processor from Intel. It's equipped with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage space. If you feel like you'll need more space for your photos and videos, memory can be expanded up to 64GB via a microSD card slot.

In addition to running Android, the unit will sport Asus’ new user interface. Dubbed "ZenUI," it will feature coordinated color themes and redesigned icons and menus.

The Mini is available in five colors (black, white, red, blue, and yellow). Though Asus has yet to release pricing and availability information, it is possible that the US may never get its hands on it, similar to how the PadFone (2013) is available only in Europe and Asia. However, given the news that AT&T is bringing over the PadFone X, the Mini may find its way to our shores after all.

Whatever the outcome may be, the concept of having a two-in-one smartphone/tablet kit is unique, and consumers who prioritize consolidation and efficiency may find Asus' PadFone line compelling, if not convenient.CNET

Comments

HTC One to sell as TD 101 at China Mobile

HTC decided to invest in such a brand by launching the One series of smartphones last year, although the company was not able to impose its own product names to certain carriers. Then, just a few days ago, the company launched the HTC One, which is going to be the company’s only One-branded handset this year, a make-or-break kind of project for the Taiwanese Android maker that’s still having a tough time fighting against the competition, especially Samsung. We were under the impression that HTC will further invest in its One brand and not budge to carrier demands anymore when it comes to changing the name of the product – in the U.S., AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile are going to sell it as the HTC One. But it looks like things aren’t necessarily so, and no, it’s not Verizon that’s going to get its way selling the One as the Droid DNA Plus, as it was recently rumored. We’re looking at China Mobile this time around, which has announced the HTC One as the HTC TD 101. That’s certa...

iPad (2022) and iPad Pro with M2 announced

Apple has announced their latest iteration of the iPad (entry level model) and the iPad Pro lineup with the new M2 processor. The event, held on the 18th of October as a recorded session displayed the key features of the iPads with the most significant being the base model iPad which has now received an upgrade. iPad 2022 This model of the base model iPad ditches the almost 12 year old home button and display layout and goes for a cleaner display only design found on the iPad Air . The chassis, which now comes with flatter sides and a TouchID fingerprint sensor on the top has also abandoned the lightning port in favor of USB C and it also comes with a set of pogo style connectors for accessories including a keyboard with trackpad. Internally, the iPad comes either as a Wifi only (Wifi6) and a 5G cellular model and is offered with 64 or 256GB of storage. The processor has also been upgraded to the Apple A14 which is the same found on the iPhone 12 series and last year's iPad Air. L...

Apple iPhone 8 , 8 Plus and iPhone X announced

Apple has officially announced the iPhone 8 , the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X today at their special event held in Cupertino , California . The three new smartphones , announced right along side their new Apple TV 4K and the Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular support ,mark a new beginning for Apple as they set out to further refine the 10 year old legacy set by the original iPhone almost 10 years back . iPhone 8 and 8 Plus The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are basically successors to last year's iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models , the new duo - designed with glass backs and a metal frame , says goodbye to Apple's aluminum unibody construction as the new iPhones feature Qi Wireless charging (Metal backs are not very good for inductive charging ) . The phones , which still feature the same display sizes - 5.5" - iPhone 8 Plus and 4.7 " on the iPhone 8 will not "wow" anyone as they still feature no major resolution bump as well .But as they say , true beauty is ...

MasHD Blog

Search This Blog