Asus Unveils Padfone Hybrid Android Smartphone-Tablet

#1

Post by bigwophh » Mon, May 30, 2011, 1:12 PM UTC

Asus Unveils Padfone Hybrid Android Smartphone-Tablet
hothardware.com

Re: Asus Unveils Padfone Hybrid Android Smartphone-Tablet

#2

Post by borism » Mon, May 30, 2011, 1:54 PM UTC

Phones merging more and more with PC's.

I've made a promise to myself that HDMI-out is a must for my next Android phone (currently I have HTC EVO 4G which has one, but is unusable as a phone since I'm in Europe).

This is even better, at least on paper.

Re: Asus Unveils Padfone Hybrid Android Smartphone-Tablet

#3

Post by jwtanner » Mon, May 30, 2011, 2:48 PM UTC

Why is docking your phone into your tablet a good thing?

Re: Asus Unveils Padfone Hybrid Android Smartphone-Tablet

#4

Post by Argorak » Mon, May 30, 2011, 2:49 PM UTC

I am not sure whether I trust that latch to hold for the lifetime of the tablet. If it doesn't, I won't bet on the lifetime of the phone.

Also, taking calls while the phone is in the table could be awkward.

Otherwise: interesting concept, I will watch it.

Re: Asus Unveils Padfone Hybrid Android Smartphone-Tablet

#5

Post by cleverjake » Mon, May 30, 2011, 2:51 PM UTC

"unveils" is a bit of a misnomer. they showed off a plastic mockup. While I do like the idea of a hybrid device, every time I have seen something this far from production be publicly launched, it hasn't turned out great.

Re: Asus Unveils Padfone Hybrid Android Smartphone-Tablet

#6

Post by cleverjake » Mon, May 30, 2011, 2:52 PM UTC

jwtanner wrote: post #3

Why is docking your phone into your tablet a good thing?

not have to sync the two together, extended battery for the phone, reduction of gadget space are hte first few that come to mind

Re: Asus Unveils Padfone Hybrid Android Smartphone-Tablet

#7

Post by cstuder » Mon, May 30, 2011, 2:54 PM UTC

I'm not sure if this is gonna work.

Please note:

- The pad is only a dock, so it doesn't offer any functionality by itself, without the phone docked.

- These are just mockups. Asus won't ship until the end of the year.

- Don't we have wireless connections enough by now? Do we really have to put a phone behind a display secured by a latch?

Actually I'm sure it won't.

Re: Asus Unveils Padfone Hybrid Android Smartphone-Tablet

#8

Post by 83457 » Mon, May 30, 2011, 3:01 PM UTC

cstuder wrote: post #7

I'm not sure if this is gonna work. Please note: - The pad is only a dock, so it doesn't offer any functionality by itself, without the phone docked. - These are just mockups. Asus won't ship until the end of the year. - Don't we have wireless connections enough by now? Do we really have to put a phone behind a display secured by a latch? Actually I'm sure it won't.

Why?

Re: Asus Unveils Padfone Hybrid Android Smartphone-Tablet

#9

Post by tobinator » Mon, May 30, 2011, 3:06 PM UTC

The pad is basically a screen magnifier. That's valuable, but I'd probably leave it at home most of the time.

Re: Asus Unveils Padfone Hybrid Android Smartphone-Tablet

#10

Post by bad_user » Mon, May 30, 2011, 3:13 PM UTC

cstuder wrote: post #7

I'm not sure if this is gonna work. Please note: - The pad is only a dock, so it doesn't offer any functionality by itself, without the phone docked. - These are just mockups. Asus won't ship until the end of the year. - Don't we have wireless connections enough by now? Do we really have to put a phone behind a display secured by a latch? Actually I'm sure it won't.

It's an interesting concept, since it also has advantages.

    The pad is only a dock, so it doesn't offer 
    any functionality by itself

Which means the acquisition cost should be lower than buying both an iPhone and an iPad. And these recent phones have enough processing power for most people's needs, but not enough battery or sufficient display size and the pad takes care of that.

About wireless, everytime I actually need a phone or a tablet (as when I'm on the move) I don't have wireless. When sitting on my bed or other such activities, the tablet is only more convenient, but I can very well use my laptop (and I do, depending on my mood).

The only thing that worries me about this product is build quality and the user experience coming from an interface that should scale from small to big.