ASUS Padfone revealed...

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
http://pocketnow.com/android/asus-padfone-fully-exposed-images

asus-padfone-open.jpg


asus-padfone-hero.jpg


asus-padfone-back.jpg


asus-padfone-flat.jpg


I like the innovative design, want to see some reviews now...
 
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smartpatrol

Senior member
Mar 8, 2006
870
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I don't get it.

If the tablet has its own processor/memory/storage/etc., wouldn't it be better to sync content between the two of them some other way, like wireless? That seems better than making a tablet that's fat enough to put a smartphone inside.

If the tablet is just a dock that requires the phone inside it to run, then what's the point? Why wouldn't you just buy a real table that doesn't require an Asus smartphone along with it?
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
No one knows yet, BUT, if it's a shell tablet, essentially a screen with a battery, it'd make sharing the data easier, and give you serious battery life.

They'd have to be sure the phone features could be used in tablet mode, but I kind of like it...
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
48,813
5,511
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Most people I know put their phones in cases for protection. Seems like it'd get awkward...
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,739
452
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Most people I know put their phones in cases for protection. Seems like it'd get awkward...

This. Definitely worthless for me and everybody else I know. I can't think of anybody I know that has a smartphone NOT in a case. Very poor design choice.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
This. Definitely worthless for me and everybody else I know. I can't think of anybody I know that has a smartphone NOT in a case. Very poor design choice.

Oh snap, I'm a naked phone guy, and definitely in the minority. This is going to be a massive fail.
 

Generator

Senior member
Mar 4, 2005
793
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Its probably a $100 tablet shell. Yall may have forgotten long ago but cell phones suck. Watching media on a 4 in screen is pitiful. Its a great scheme by Asus as they're locking people into their hardware path. A phone that works with a tablet that works with a keyboard dock.

I guess it DID make sense to buy a phone, laptop, and tablet individually. But when Asus can offer all 3 for a cheaper price might as well. Where the fuck is Apple? After looking at their macbook air this would have been a no brainer. Why aren't they transforming their hardware?
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
This. Definitely worthless for me and everybody else I know. I can't think of anybody I know that has a smartphone NOT in a case. Very poor design choice.

its all relative

i dont know a single person who puts their smartphone in a case. BB apple Android Win 7,.... no one does, people i know personally and people i work with

i dont and most likely never will
 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
its all relative

i dont know a single person who puts their smartphone in a case. BB apple Android Win 7,.... no one does, people i know personally and people i work with

i dont and most likely never will

same here...I never liked cases and no one I know uses a case.
 

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
359
126
its all relative

i dont know a single person who puts their smartphone in a case. BB apple Android Win 7,.... no one does, people i know personally and people i work with

i dont and most likely never will

yep. I think I did for one phone, but I've grown tired of case choices. They make the phone more bulky, and most smartphones today are already bulky enough... a case might mean it won't go in my pocket.

And yes, I should use a holster to protect my future children and hamstrings (according to fairly recent studies, having it in a pocket and thus that close to skin for an entire day, all the time, isn't a great idea)... but that opens up problems on its own, and is rather unsightly imho.
 

WelshBloke

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
31,587
9,495
136
I don't get it.

If the tablet has its own processor/memory/storage/etc., wouldn't it be better to sync content between the two of them some other way, like wireless? That seems better than making a tablet that's fat enough to put a smartphone inside.

If the tablet is just a dock that requires the phone inside it to run, then what's the point? Why wouldn't you just buy a real table that doesn't require an Asus smartphone along with it?

Yeah I'm going with this.

If your primarily a smartphone user your not going to want to lug that tablet/dock around on the off chance you need a big screen.

If you want a tablet and are prepared to carry one around why wouldnt you get one that dosnt need some weird docking system before you can use it.
 

YoungGun21

Platinum Member
Aug 17, 2006
2,546
1
81
Certainly interesting, will need to see actual implementation to see if it is feasible though. Could work if Ice Cream Sandwich truly merges all phone and tablet functions.
 

Oyeve

Lifer
Oct 18, 1999
22,004
861
126
I like this. Its good if you don't want to travel with both a phone and a separate tablet. For those complaining about not being able to use a phone case I say you have issues. How hard is it to take the phone out of the case?are you that lazy? What do you need a case for anyway? Are you that clumsy that you drop your phone all the time? I find cases useless and a hindrance. It covers the beauty of the phone. Its like buying a sports car then riding around with heftybags over it. I for one have never dropped any of my phones nor scratched the glass. Myphone is always inmy pocket when not in use and cases just make it harder to remove from any pocket it is in. I think this asus phone tablet thing is pretty freaking cool. And practical.
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
This. Definitely worthless for me and everybody else I know. I can't think of anybody I know that has a smartphone NOT in a case. Very poor design choice.

Plenty of people carry their smartphones outside of cases, myself included. Only iPhone users have to use a case, so they can get some semblance of a signal. ;)
 

wirednuts

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2007
7,121
4
0
whats wrong with the design? if your phone is in a case, then take it out and put it in the "laptop". its not going to be a full fledged tablet that you sync to, its going to be a screen and battery. you insert the phone, and the tablet just makes the screen bigger and the battery gives you days of life.

essentially, this is the ultimate "case" for your phone. and for a lot of people, it could replace their laptops. the convenience would be dramatic... no more syncing anything besides timely backups to another storage device somewhere (or internet).

your netbook and phone would be one in the same.. youre just transforming its form factor at will. i really like this, and cant wait until faster phones are out.
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,739
452
126
whats wrong with the design? if your phone is in a case, then take it out and put it in the "laptop". its not going to be a full fledged tablet that you sync to, its going to be a screen and battery. you insert the phone, and the tablet just makes the screen bigger and the battery gives you days of life.

essentially, this is the ultimate "case" for your phone. and for a lot of people, it could replace their laptops. the convenience would be dramatic... no more syncing anything besides timely backups to another storage device somewhere (or internet).

your netbook and phone would be one in the same.. youre just transforming its form factor at will. i really like this, and cant wait until faster phones are out.

Most cases these days worth their salt aren't easy to slip on and off. Trust me, if you're a case user it does not get removed. I base my accessory purchases on if they'll work with my case or not... it's that important.
 

smartpatrol

Senior member
Mar 8, 2006
870
0
0
Consider this....one data plan for your phone and tablet.

Good point.

Engadget has some more details up today. It looks like the pad is just a screen + extra battery. It could be a pretty cool device if the price is right.

Personally, I think that HP's approach to connectivity with the Veer/Pre 3 and the Touchpad is the way to go.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
I'm still on the fence, can't decide if it's massive fail or genius. Am sort of on the genius side. It would be cool as hell if they had a Transformer type keyboard that hooked up to it.

Also, if ASUS would commit to keeping the phone's form factor through another generation, and the tablet/dock functionality would be guaranteed for 3-4 years of non obsolescence, I'd be sold.

Looking at the video, it seems like you'd need a BT headset to use the phone while it's docked to the tablet.
 
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wirednuts

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2007
7,121
4
0
so no mic on it? thats a fail... also, id like to see a forward facing camera (they saved money by just making a hole on the back so you can use the phones camera.

i mean if you cant easily take and make phone calls while the phone is inside the tablet, then this thing is useless.

so i guess its another good idea but not quite there yet. but seriously, this has got to be the future of personal computing. phones will eventually have more power then today's netbooks, and at that point it would be silly to own a separate netbook when your phone does the same thing.
 

poofyhairguy

Lifer
Nov 20, 2005
14,612
318
126
I thought of this exact concept the other day. This is the logical next step to an Atrix- give me a quad core phone that connects to a monitor and docks into both tablet and laptop form (for less than a tablet or laptop costs) and I cut the number of computerist devices in my house in half. That way I can have one device that does everything (no more need for tethering, or multiple app accounts), one device that holds critical data (that can be remote wiped), one device that I would use for work and play.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
I thought of this exact concept the other day. This is the logical next step to an Atrix- give me a quad core phone that connects to a monitor and docks into both tablet and laptop form (for less than a tablet or laptop costs) and I cut the number of computerist devices in my house in half. That way I can have one device that does everything (no more need for tethering, or multiple app accounts), one device that holds critical data (that can be remote wiped), one device that I would use for work and play.

And I'd be screwed, because 1/2 the time my devices are non functional because of my ham fisted haxxoring :D

Last week, I hosed my EVO and Thunderbolt at the same time, and I tether for internets access. Had to go to the community room at my apt and DL roms on my laptop (over public WiFi) that I haven't used for so long, the 19 udpates that dl'd in the background and BSOD'd me once installing the updates :colbert:

Am still not so sure that just tethering to a WiFi tablet isn't the best option (tethering on the ThunderBolt is showing up as regular unlimited data so far, hoping Verizon doesn't clamp down anytime soon...)