ASUS Claim Triple Threat With PadFone

  • Smartphone turns into tablet
  • Comes in at just under $1000
  • Has Ice Cream Sandwich operating system

ASUS has launched its PadFone, which is an all-in-one Android device that acts as a smartphone, a tablet and can be converted into a netbook.

A ‘triple threat’, the 4.3-inch PadFone (smartphone), features a 9.2 millimetre profile that fits into the back of the 10.1-inch PadFone Station (tablet/pad), which can then be plugged into the optional keyboard dock to experience the ASUS PadFone as a netbook.

ASUS devised the PadFone to eliminate issues experienced by smartphone and tablet owners. Offering one-stop storage and shared 3G network access, the smartphone provides the processing power and storage of the PadFone. Users will not need to sync data between devices and only require one data plan, and eliminating the use for wifi connectivity.

Equipped with the latest Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system and Qualcomm’s fourth generation Snapdragon S4 8260A Dual-Core 1.5 GHz processor, the ASUS PadFone also has a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED capacitive multi-touch panel with 540×960 screen resolution and pixel density of 256ppi, while the PadFone Station has a 10.1-inch WXGA 1280×800 TFT capacitive touchscreen.

Both the PadFone and PadFone Station displays feature scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass with HCLR film. ASUS’ DynamicDisplay technology is said to ensure seamless transitions when switching between phone and pad modes, automatically adjusting display layout and continuing content when the PadFone is placed in the PadFone Station.

It includes 32GB internal eMMC flash storage with an additional free 32GB ASUS Webstorage for three years. A microSD expansion slot also allows users to further the PadFone’s memory, currently up to 32GB with a software update in the near future offering up to 64GB. Achieve more with the PadFone’s 1520 mAh Lithium battery that supplies up to 63 hours of extended talk time. Charge the PadFone via the PadFone Station dock for expanded usage and up to 102 hours of extended talk time. Answering telephone calls in pad mode is made easier with the included nifty Bluetooth Stylus pen which doubles as a headset, complete with vibration and LED light indicator for incoming calls. The Bluetooth Stylus even has a reminder alarm that sounds when it is left behind, up to 10 metres away from the PadFone.

This device is fitted with an 8 megapixel camera, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, F2.2 aperture and 5-element lens for photography and HD 1080p video recording under low light conditions. Tuned by ASUS audio specialists, the PadFone Station’s sound output transmits audio through its built-in speakers.

Cased in a shield of coffee coloured concentric circles, the design is derived from the concept of Zen – merging traditional thought and culture with the newest, most advanced technology that is the very essence of Zen. A smart sleeve houses the entire PadFone package – the PadFone, PadFone Station and Bluetooth Stylus, which includes a SIM card slot, a holder for the stylus pen and a cleverly hidden cleaning cloth in the sleeve. Additionally, the versatile sleeve can be tilted at a low angle for typing and a high angle for reading and viewing.

RRP
$999