ASUS Transformer AiO launching Q2 for $1,299 and up, marries Windows 8 desktop with monster Android tablet

ASUS Transformer AiO launching Q2 for $1,299 and up, marries Windows 8 desktop with monster Android tablet

We were beginning to think the ASUS Transformer AiO was just a figment of a summer daydream after hearing nothing of it since our chance look many months ago. As it turns out, we were right about the furtive FCC filing last December, and with all that paperwork in order, we've now been granted a formal introduction. The Transformer AiO (all-in-one) is very true to its name, as like the Autobots, it has two completely different configurations. In desktop mode, you're looking at a Windows 8 machine running on a Core i3 / i5 / i7, with a 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT730M GPU, between 4 and 8GB of RAM, and up to a 2TB SATA HDD. It also has a DVD-RW optical drive (can you believe it?), a card reader, a bunch of ports and even a TV Tuner should you want one. Being a Windows 8 rig, it's not surprising that the 18.4-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 IPS display has ten-point multitouch, but it gets even more interesting when you free that screen from its desktop restraints.

Popping it from the dock means you're now looking at a monster tablet with its own internal specs: a quad-core Tegra 3, 2 gigs of RAM and 32GB of flash storage. If you're in the mood to continue peering at Redmond's squares, it'll work as a remote terminal for the "PC Station." But, if you've got a sweet tooth, you can switch the slate to Android mode and knock around in 4.1 Jelly Bean. The Transformer AiO (P1801) is expected to be available in North America early second quarter at $1,299 for the basic model, which doesn't sound all that extortionate given the versatility of the desktop-come-tablet. Head to the source link for the full spec sheet, or check out the video below if you'd like a visual tour.

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Via: PhoneArena

Source: ASUS

Refresh Roundup: week of February 25th, 2013

Refresh Roundup week of February 25th, 2013

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

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LG Optimus L3 II hands-on: Jelly Bean comes in a pebble (video)

LG Optimus L3 II handson Jelly Bean comes in a pebble video

The blink-and-you-miss-it phone you see above is the LG Optimus L3 II, the smallest in the Korean manufacturer's trio of style-driven devices. Much like its predecessor, the L3 II is a 3.2-inch Android handset; the difference this time is the fact that it's running Jelly Bean, a firmware version that way too many larger smartphones -- even some new ones -- are still lacking. The twist here is that only Android fans with small hands and no need for raw processing power need apply, as there's only a Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 chipset (MSM7225) and 512MB RAM running the magic behind the show. Additionally, we were greeted by a QVGA (320 x 240) resolution, 3.15MP rear camera and 1,540mAh battery.

The fact that such a small phone with rather "budget-friendly" specs can run Jelly Bean without too much concern is a fact-check to manufacturers that claim their older devices can't be upgraded to it due to fears that it won't perform properly. Granted, the device was slower than we're accustomed to seeing on other Android 4.1 phones, but we have a feeling that it wouldn't be that much different a story if it were using Ice Cream Sandwich.

When it comes to the fit and feel of the L3 II, you probably won't be terribly surprised to learn that it wasn't terribly comfortable, though admittedly we're now conditioned to do hands-ons with phones as large as 5.5-inch (and even 6.1-inch). That said, its pebble-like form factor nearly got buried in our hands and it was difficult to see even the most trivial of apps, thanks to the vastly limited screen real estate. Still, we recognize that this particular size is designed to fit a very specific demographic, and it will likely delight anyone who is in the market for a smaller handset. Regardless of its size, the L3 II at least feels as if it's made with solid build quality. The white version offers a matte finish, while the black remains glossy -- and yes, a massively annoying fingerprint magnet.

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Refresh Roundup: week of February 18th, 2013

Refresh Roundup week of February 18th, 2013

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

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LG Optimus F5 and F7 smartphones now official with LTE and Jelly Bean

LG Optimus F5 and F7 smartphones now official with LTE connectivity and Jelly Bean

Based on this morning's leak, you already knew that LG's smartphone lineup was about to become more diversified, but now we're able to share concrete details of the Optimus F5 and F7, which will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress. As the naming scheme suggests, the Optimus F7 is the larger of the two with a 4.7-inch (312ppi) True HD IPS display, a dual-core 1.5GHz CPU, an 8-megapixel primary camera, 2GB RAM and a 2,540mAh battery. Meanwhile, the Optimus F5 will be targeted at those who prefer a more compact smartphone, as it wields a 4.3-inch (256ppi) IPS display, a dual-core 1.2GHz CPU, a 5-megapixel primary camera, 1GB RAM and a 2,150mAh battery.

Common among both devices are Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), support for LG's QSlide and Live Zooming software features, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing shooter, 8GB built-in storage, microSD support and LTE connectivity. The Optimus F5 will come to market first in Europe during the second quarter, which is to be followed by the Optimus F7 "in select markets." Sadly, pricing has yet to be announced for either smartphone. For those curious, we've included the complete list of known specs after the break.

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Source: LG

Toshiba’s REGZA AT501 comes with Android 4.1, vague sense of unfulfillment

Toshibas REGZA AT501 comes with Android 41, vague sense of unfulfillment

Dear Uncle Toshiba. Thank you so much for announcing this REGZA Tablet AT501, the followup to the AT500. We noticed that you'd thrown in a 10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800 IPS display alongside a 1.3GHz Tegra 3 system and 1GB of RAM, which is very nice. We also like the feature that lets it act as a companion to compatible REGZA TVs. It was a bit sad, however, to see that it only came with a 3-megapixel rear facing camera. On the upside, you did manage to install Android 4.1, Splashtop and a battery that's rated for 10 hours -- which is probably why it weighs 625 grams. Unfortunately, you priced it at 40,000 yen ($425), more than a Nexus 10 -- so if you don't mind, can we keep the receipt?

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Via: Engadget Japanese (Translated)

Source: Toshiba (Translated)

Refresh Roundup: week of February 4th, 2013

Refresh Roundup week of February 4th, 2013

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

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HTC’s 603e shows up in Chinese database, ready to step in for One SU

HTC's dualSIM 603e shows up

Another day, another new phone pops up in China's telecom equipment certification database. This time it's an HTC Android 4.1 phone dubbed the 603e, and judging by the specs, it seems to be a follow-up to the One SU with WCDMA radio in China: 4.3-inch 800 x 480 display, 1.15GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 5-megapixel main camera (capable of 720p video capture) and microSD expansion. On top of this near-identical set of features (but very different appearance), the 603e benefits from an additional 2-megapixel front-facing camera; and overall, this would conveniently place said phone somewhere in between the rumored M4 and G2. The body comes in at 9.8mm thick and 130g heavy, and it'll apparently be available in black, white, green and yellow. What we don't know is whether this modest-looking device will also have a second SIM card slot, but chances are we'll find out very soon.

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Via: Blog of Mobile

Source: TENAA

Refresh Roundup: week of January 28th, 2013

Refresh Roundup week of January 28th, 2013

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

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Refresh Roundup: week of January 21st, 2013

Refresh Roundup week of January 21st, 2013

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Official Android updates

  • HTC One X: Following in Rogers' footsteps, Telus has released its Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and Sense 4+ update for over-the-air installation. The software weighs in at approximately 629MB. [MobileSyrup]
  • Samsung Galaxy S II: T-Mobile has begun delivery of an incremental update to address an issue with the Qualcomm SoC. The software also brings security fixes and S Voice improvements. [Android Central]
  • Samsung Galaxy S II: Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) is now available for the international version of this handset (i9100), which includes Samsung's Nature UX enhancements. Owners of this handset can grab the update either over-the-air or within Samsung Kies. You'll also find a walkthrough video and a screenshot tour at the source link. [SamMobile]
  • ASUS PadFone 2: Build 10.4.11.13 is now available with a hefty number of performance and stability tweaks for the WWE version of this smartphone. The software also brings improved power management software and refinements to the HDR capture and white balance functions of the camera. [Android Police]
  • Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery

  • AOKP: A new milestone build of this popular Android 4.2 custom ROM is now available. With this release, the Galaxy S III on AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon are all supported, as is the Nexus 10 and the Nexus 7 (HSPA+). Among the customizations in this build, you'll find the ability to use the power button as a makeshift camera shutter button and enhancements to the boot animation chooser. [Android Police]

Other platforms

  • Nokia Lumia 900: An update to Windows Phone 7.8 now seems imminent for this AT&T handset, as the revised OS (build 8878) has been spotted on Nokia's servers. For what it's worth, January 31st is currently being kicked around as the rollout date, but you might wanna circle that date in pencil, just to be safe. [WPCentral]
  • HTC 8X: Rogers has released the 'Portico' update for this smartphone, which brings improvements to text messaging and WiFi connectivity. [MobileSyrup]

Refreshes we covered this week

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