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.