At
this year’s Computex IT conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Asus Chairman Jonney Shih
unveiled the Padfone, along with a slew of other new Asus products.
Also
debuting at the show was Asus' new UX Series notebooks; its redesigned N Series
notebooks with SonicMaster audio technology; its versatile Eee Pad MeMO 3D, ultra-thin
Eee PC X101 netbooks; and home entertainment devices such as the motion-sensing
WAVI Xtion and the 27-inch All-in-One high-definition ET2700XVT desktop PC.
The
Padfone, which Shih termed a “convergent device,” combines a smartphone and a
tablet computer into one symbiotic gadget that allows users to choose the
screen size that best fits their activities while sharing data and 3G Internet
access. With the Padfone, the smartphone docks inside the tablet to give users
an expanded view. With the phone docked, it can recharge from the tablet's
larger battery and the tablet can also make use of the smartphone's 3G Internet
connection. The dual interfaces for both the pad and phone ensure the layout is
automatically adjusted for all activities such as video conferencing, Web
browsing and emailing.
The
UX Series thin ultraportables are made possible through the use of a strong but
light aluminum alloy shell with a unique "spun" finish on polished
surfaces. The series draws inspiration from luxury timepieces, displaying sharp
edges, an oversized keyboard and smartphonelike touchpad for added comfort, as
well as reinforced hinges for extended longevity. Measuring a mere 17mm at its
thickest point, the needle-thin UX Series nonetheless boasts a host of high-end
specifications, with the latest second-generation Intel Core mobile processors
up to the i7, SATA 6Gb/s solid-state drives and the Instant On feature, which
resumes the notebook in seconds.
In
addition, the same SonicMaster technology that Asus first developed with Bang
& Olufsen ICEpower for the NX90 can now be used on the new N Series, where
high-gloss designs meet mobile technology. This latest N Series, co-designed by
Asus and designer David Lewis, comes with the addition of a dedicated external
subwoofer for deep bass extension. Desktop PC users can also experience the
same features with the 27-inch HD All-in-One ET2700XVT desktop PC, which offers
ultra-wide 178-degree viewing angles and optional 10-point multitouch for fully
consolidated computing.
Asus
also introduced a fourth tablet to go alongside the recently announced Eee Pad
Transformer, Eee Pad Slider and Eee Slate. Powered by the latest version of the
Android operating system, the Eee Pad MeMO 3D has a 7-inch multi-touch screen
that can also be used with the supplied stylus for note taking in portrait
orientation, plus a glasses-free 3D display mode. The Eee Pad MeMO 3D is
designed to be an alternative take on the 10-inch tablet that is fast becoming
a standard size. This portrait-oriented device uses a screen that can also be
used more traditionally with all Android Honeycomb applications, the company
noted.
With
"Break the Rules, Innovation Beyond Expectations" as the dominant
theme this year, Shih reiterated the company's strength in cutting-edge designs
and superior engineering skills to help bring users the devices of their
dreams. "Breaking the rules and changing the status quo are the keys to
our success, and we strive to offer customers an experience that surpasses
their expectations," said Shih.
Midmarket News & Reviews 
