02/13, 7:45am
Pegatron maybe pressed to choose Apple vs ASUS
A tentative rumor has had Pegatron allegedly forced to choose between manufacturing ASUS' Zenbooks and Apple's iOS devices. Taiwan's Commercial Times had heard that Apple was supposedly unhappy with the similarity to the MacBook Air and didn't want one of its own contractors to be making what was perceived to be a clone. If it happened, production wouldn't stop until at least March and would be outsourced to a nearby contractor like Compal or Wistron.
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02/07, 9:35am
Garnter paints bleak picture for Windows in Europe
New Gartner data breaking down European computer market share has shown poor results for almost every computer builder outside of Apple. Continent-wide, both market leader HP as well as Acer, Dell, and Toshiba were all dropping market share. Only ASUS (up 1.5 points) increased share based solely on its own merits among the top five; Lenovo's gain was inflated by its acquiring Medion last June.
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02/06, 12:10pm
Honeywell files suit against Nest, Best Buy
Honeywell on Monday sued Nest Labs, makers of thermostats, for allegedly violating its patents in the US. Seven patents related to thermostat technology are in contention, with some focusing on methods of operating and programming the devices. The lawsuit also aims to involve Best Buy into it, which sells Nest Labs' thermostats.
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02/02, 5:15pm
ASUS TF300T tablet may be a future Transformer
ASUS may be working on yet another version of its Eee Pad tablet, the TF300T. Its design and model number indicate it's a follow-up to the company's quad-core Transformer Prime TF101. Spotted by Taiwanese site NCCC, the photos are accompanied by a certification from QuieTek, which provides wireless testing for electronics.
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01/31, 11:35am
PadFone coming to MWC, ASUS invite promises
ASUS will bring its long-delayed PadFone device to the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona at the tail end of February, confirming earlier rumors. This news comes from ASUS itself, who sent out a media invite shared by Android Central. The PadFone was introduced in May and is actually two devices in one, with a 4.3-inch smartphone at the core and a 10-inch tablet serving as a dock and larger screen.
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01/31, 9:15am
Kinect notebooks being tested, ASUS a partner
The upcoming notebooks with built-in Kinect will be licensed to makers such as ASUS but no other motion-sensing technology can be used in these, The Daily claimed Tuesday. Likewise, while the Windows 8 notebooks with Kinect were ASUS-branded, the Taiwanese computer maker isn't involved in testing the gear, but it will likely be a launch partner. The test units are almost always plugged in as well, suggesting the technology is heavy on energy use. A dedicated battery pack just for the Kinect camera and sensor that clips onto notebooks may be required in order to alleviate this issue.
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01/27, 9:45am
Kinect notebooks may use motion for Windows 8
Microsoft is not only planning to release Kinect for Windows but is aiming to make motion control a built-in feature for PCs, according to fresh leaks. Those at The Daily claim to have used two prototype Windows 8 notebooks where the Kinect sensor system replaces the normal webcam. A Microsoft insider claimed that the ASUS-branded systems are testbeds with the hint they may become real products.
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01/27, 9:00am
ASUS Transformer Prime plagued by locking too
ASUS technical marketing overseer Gary Key has responded to complaints from Transformer Prime owners for another flaw. Responding to some reports on XDA-Developers' forums that the tablet freezes randomly after loading up the Android 4.0 update, Key anticipated a fix in early February. He hadn't pinpointed the cause, which didn't appeared to be tied to running any specific app or using the Prime for certain periods.
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01/23, 2:35pm
Transformer Prime GPS worse after software update
The weak GPS performance of the ASUS Transformer Prime was reportedly made even worse by a recent update from the maker. Members posting on the XDA-Developers forums claim the signal went from very weak before the update to absolutely non-existent after installing the second update after the original upgrade to Android 4.0. Leaving the tablet on the window sill for 25 minutes resulted in zero satellites being picked up by the tablet's GPS sensor, one member said.
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01/22, 1:15pm
ASUS B23E ups business notebook design
ASUS has quietly slipped out a new pro-oriented notebook in admist the more home-focused designs of CES. The 12.5-inch B23E has a relatively sleek magnesium alloy chassis. Although 1.1 inches thick and 3.4 pounds, it's intended as a true complete replacement with a DVD burner, up to 750GB of storage, and as much as 8GB of RAM.
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01/21, 4:45pm
ASUS sets original Transformer upgrade schedule
ASUS in a brief answer on Facebook explained that the original Eee Pad Transformer would get its Android 4.0 update in February. The terse answer didn't give a schedule for the rollout, although the Wi-Fi only releases should let most owners upgrade within days. The upgrade should bring the updated interface and improved speed, although it won't be as dramatic an improvement as on phones.
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01/20, 2:10pm
Quad-core LG phone shows in leaked image
LG's first quad-core handset, carrying the working name of X3 thus far, has been spotted by PocketNow. It would get the same NVIDIA Tegra 3 chip as used in the Transformer Prime tablet from ASUS and would run Android 4.0. Along with this, the early specs would give it a large 4.7-inch, 1280x720 display and a thickness of less than 0.35 inches.
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01/19, 6:50am
ASUS issues OS build, updates GPS, Wi-Fi drivers
ASUS has rolled out an update for its troubled quad-core Tegra 3 Transformer Prime that is said to address its GPS and Wi-Fi performance issues. Since its hyped launch, users have complained that the metal back of the device hinders its Wi-Fi reception its GPS performance. The latest software build is 9.4.2.11 and includes a version of Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) that also addresses issues some users had when trying to upgrade from Android 3.2 (Honeycomb).
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01/18, 4:40pm
MeMic BT accessory for ASUS tablet shows at FCC
A new accessory for ASUS' upcoming Eee Pad MeMO unveiled at CES has just shown up at the FCC. Called the MeMic, it's meant to connect over Bluetooth to the seven-inch tablet and allow users to make phone calls without holding the large tablet next to their head. It will also double as a remote control for the tablet.
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01/18, 8:35am
ASUS talks Transformer Prime returns and TF700
ASUS UK in an update has given local buyers extra support in the wake of Transformer Prime GPS issues. Along with promising that shops would give full refunds for those that didn't like the underpowered positioning, ASUS was giving locals an extra six months of warranty beyond the base year. Concerns over Wi-Fi weren't as serious, with no "known" versions of the quad tablet having problems getting online.
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01/16, 8:25pm
OTA update doesn't recognize device serial numbers
Late last month, after several delays, ASUS began shipping its much anticipated Transformer Prime tablet, but with Android 3.2 instead of Android 4.0. The company promised that it would begin offering an over-the-air (OTA) update to early adopters on January 12. ASUS met that deadline, but xda developers reports that owners are experiencing problems with updating their slates.
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01/16, 1:30pm
No 3G Transformer Prime in the works: ASUS
ASUS on Monday said it isn't planning on releasing a 3G version of its Transformer Prime tablet, contradicting an earlier report to the contrary. That report was based on a presentation from Eee Systems chief Samsung Hu. ASUS now said the 3G radio version isn't currently on the company's roadmap, Focus Taiwan reported.
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01/16, 7:55am
intel, Microsoft may start W8 tablets at 599 plus
An insistence on earlier pricing policies from Intel and Microsoft may put Windows 8 tablets out of contention, notebook PC builders getting into the field claimed Monday. Intel was reported by Digitimes contacts as unwilling to cut profit margins on its Clover Trail-based Atom chips, while Microsoft wasn't planning on trimming its Windows 8 price. As such, Intel-based Windows 8 tablets might start at a minimum $599 and scale up to $899, all well over the benchmark $499 price of the iPad.
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01/11, 5:50pm
IDC shows Apple 3rd in US, Acer drop
Fall 2011 was the worst season for PC growth in the US in a decade, IDC found in preliminary results. The overall PC field shrank 6.7 percent compared to what it had in late 2010, based partly on hard drive shortages triggered by Thailand flooding. However, the iPad and other tablets like it, combined with a tough economy, meant many didn't want PCs, particularly in the "difficult competitive landscape" of the US as well as Western Europe.
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01/11, 5:25pm
Economies, Thailand take toll on industry
In spite of two previous quarters of gains, computer industry shipments slipped 1.4 percent in Q4 2011 to 92.2 million units, according to preliminary Gartner estimates. The research firm had been forecasting a 1 percent drop. "Continuously low consumer PC demand resulted in weak holiday PC shipments," analyst Mikako Kitagawa is quoted as saying. "While economic uncertainty in Western Europe had an effect on consumer PC shipments, expectations of a healthier economic outlook in North America could not stimulate consumer PC demand in that region. The healthy professional PC market as well as growth in emerging markets could not compensate for the weaknesses in mature markets, with overall growth still negative."
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01/10, 5:55am
ASUS unveils strong new tablet range for 2012
ASUS has revealed the new Eee Pad MeMO, a 7-inch, quad-core Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) tablet. The processor is a Tegra 3 matched with 1GB of RAM, while the display is also a high-quality IPS WXGA-type. The headlining feature, however, is the price – just $249, which is likely to give early adopting Kindle Fire users pause.
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01/09, 1:50pm
ASUS, other notebook makers suffer HDD shortages
Apple shipped about 1.2 million MacBook Airs during the December quarter, claims Digitimes. The company is said to have been the only vendor to maintain notebook shipments between the third and fourth quarters, and Air shipments in fact increased. Other companies like ASUS and Lenovo reportedly suffered as a result of flooding in Thailand, which shut down many hard drive manufacturers in addition to taking a human toll.
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01/07, 8:10pm
ASUS previews Windows 8, sharp Android tablets
ASUS in a presentation in Taiwan confirmed its commitment to Windows 8 tablets while also renewing its efforts in Android. Eee Systems chief Samson Hu mentioned with Netbook News present that there would be an ARM-based tablet using Microsoft's new OS. Partly supporting rumors of a September date, Hu said it would arrive before the end of the year, hinting at a wait for Windows 8 itself.
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01/06, 11:05am
Dell puts Steve Felice in to simplify business
Dell finished the week by consolidating its customer-facing groups under one leader. Its former Consumer, Small, and Medium Business president Steve Felice will as of February 4 handle every segment, including both the groups he managed before as well as enterprise and public sector groups. The step, coming earlier than expected because of the retirement of enterprise and public group head Paul Bell, was "further simplifying" Dell's actions.
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01/05, 12:00pm
Broadcom adds first four 802.11ac chipsets
Broadcom claimed the distinction of being the first to make chipsets with 802.11ac, being nicknamed 5G Wi-Fi, on Thursday. The BCM43516, BCM43526, BCM4352, and BCM4360 all have twice as much bandwidth per channel as the current-fastest 802.11n and can stack multiple streams together to get very high speeds. The flagship chip, the BCM4360, can unite three streams and hit 1.3Gbps.
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01/04, 10:50pm
ASUS said to be maintaining Android strategy
Acer is reportedly changing is tablet strategy, shifting its focus toward Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 platform. Although Acer has yet to formally announce its full product lineup for 2012, unnamed sources within the supply chain have told DigiTimes that the company will be diverging from the Android tablet market in the near future.
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01/04, 2:20pm
Simple Transformer Prime root tool released
Those with an ASUS Transformer Prime and the need to modify its software can now do so thanks to a new, unofficially root tool shared by ViperBoy over on the RootzWiki forums. The root is simple, requiring Windows users only to download a ZIP file, install the contained drivers onto their tablet, and run the viperMOD Primer Tool executable. With this process, users can freely root or unroot their devices.
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01/03, 6:40pm
Image shows superuser access
Corroborating earlier reports, ASUS' Transformer Prime tablet appears to have been hacked to gain root access. A YouTube video shows an unnamed exploit being used to enable superuser privileges, using the unofficial tool "NachoRoot" that was developed by TeamAndIRC.
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01/03, 12:00pm
ASUS Transformer Prime gets Android 4 timetable
ASUS posted word of a definitive timetable for the Android 4.0 upgrade on the Transformer Prime. The over-the-air update will be ready worldwide starting from January 12. ASUS hasn't said how quickly it expects the updates to finish, or if owners can push the update manually.
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01/02, 7:45pm
HP Spectre may be ultrabook Envy
HP has teased that it might have more at CES than it has told the media in a teaser slipped out Monday. Called just the Spectre in the video (below) seeded to Engadget and multiple other sites, and believed to be part of the Envy line, it looks to be an extremely thin notebook with a flat lid. Very little else is shown other than patterns that infer the very thin design.
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01/02, 2:40pm
ASUS may have Eee Pad Memo sequel ready
ASUS may have a sequel to the Eee Pad Memo ready if a leaked shot and details prove true. The seven-inch slate, possibly the Memo Pad appears a straightforward tablet in Notebook Italia's details, but it would be relatively high-grade relative to competitors. In tandem with a 1280x800 display, it would pick up a dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor, carry between 16GB to 64GB of storage, and even have optional 3G wireless and 3D display versions.
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01/02, 12:10pm
ASUS Transformer Prime foudn with encrypted boot
Early Transformer Prime buyers have discovered that ASUS has locked the bootloader on the quad-core tablet. A 128-bit AES encryption layer spotted by XDA-Developers forum members effectively prevents custom firmware from being loaded on the Android device. The limit prevents users from upgrading to Android 4.0 early or otherwise instituting any third-party code that needs a fundamental OS-level change.
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01/02, 9:30am
ASUS Eee PC Flare to mark late netbook era at CES
ASUS has given a tease of the full strategy for the Eee PC 1200 series with renders and details of how they'll appear at CES. Now called the Eee PC Flare, the netbooks will have curvier designs colored almost end-to-end, with black, blue, red, and purple wrapping around the entire body. They should have a MacBook-style hinge that brings the display behind the base as well as a chiclet keyboard and a 'stealth' trackpad.
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01/01, 9:30pm
ASUS Transformer Wi-Fi, GPS performance flaky?
After initially thought to have been delayed due to Wi-Fi issues, early adopters of the ASUS Transformer Prime have been hit with varying signal strength issues with its GPS functionality. Although not a 3G-capable device, the Prime is fitted with a GPS radio that receives signals from satellites in order to triangulate its position. According to a purported statement to a customer from ASUS, the issue pertains to the Transformer Prime’s use of a “metallic unibody design.”
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12/29, 3:45pm
ASUS shows USB wireless headset, PC speakers
Computer maker ASUS has just introduced two new USB audio products for notebook and desktop computers with the HS-W1 Wireless USB Headset and MS-100 speakers. The headsets have 70mm leather earpads for comfort and use 2.4GHz wireless tech that offers up to 50 feet of range. Users need to plug in a small USB dongle to send CD-quality wireless audio.
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12/28, 2:20pm
Intel Atom N2600 and N2800 ship
Intel ushered in what might be the swansong for netbooks on Wednesday by finally shipping Atom processors based on its Cedar Trail platform. Confirming rumors of another delay, it was shipping the 1.6GHz N2600 and 1.83GHz N2800 with the expectation that they would be available in early 2012. Familiar netbook supporters Acer, ASUS, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and Toshiba had pledged new systems using the chips.
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12/27, 6:30am
ASUS Eee PC 1225B inbound
ASUS has made the Eee PC 1225B with AMD Fusion APUs official. The new ultraportable-netbook crossover centres on an 11.6-inch display, which is slightly smaller than its 12.1-inch 1215B predecessor. Resolution, however, remains at 1366x768 pixels resulting in a sharper image thanks to the increased pixel density of the new display.
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12/26, 11:25pm
Thunderbolt said ready to go for April
Intel's Thunderbolt for Windows PCs could arrive in April, purported insiders stated Monday night. Apple is reportedly helping Intel adopt the standard the two co-created, Digitimes heard. PC builders ASUS and Sony, as well as mainboard builders ASRock and Gigabyte, are expected to be part of the first wave.
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12/26, 9:10am
CUPP PunkThis makes dual Android, Windows tablets
CUPP Computing has shown off a new version of its PunkThis board that could lead to tablets with both Android and Windows without compromising both. Taking residence inside an ASUS Eee Slate, the board tested by Engadget would replace the 2.5-inch SATA drive with a full Android device with a 1GHz TI OMAP3730 processor, 512MB of RAM, its own Wi-Fi, and Android 2.3.4. A mini PCIe slot would provide room for a solid-state drive to give storage to the Windows side.
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12/23, 6:05pm
ASUS sets modest targets for 2012 tablets
ASUS chairman Jonney Shih set broad but modest targets for his company's tablets in statements this week. He expected three million to six million tablets shipping through all of the year, CENS said. The company has repeatedly estimated that it would deliver 1.8 million Eee Pads in 2011.
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12/21, 7:10pm
Hasbro says ASUS stole Transformer name without OK
Hasbro late last week sued ASUS for allegedly violating its trademarks with the Transformer Prime. The toy designer claims ASUS is too close to blending the Transformers and Optimus Prime names. In a statement, Hasbro asserted that ASUS was effectively banking on association with the legendary animated show, comics, and toys to sell the Transformer Prime.
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12/20, 10:40pm
ASUS hints it stays unafraid of Apple lawsuits
ASUS isn't worried about being sued over patents, company chairman Jonney Shih stated at an awards ceremony Tuesday. Picking up the Pan Wen Yuan Prize with Digitimes in attendance, he said ASUS had "many" 3G patents and wasn't worried about being sued. Although not stated, he was likely referencing HTC's loss to Apple after an ITC complaint, which will likely lead to a favorable ruling if HTC doesn't settle ahead of other ITC verdicts and matching civil lawsuits.
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12/19, 12:15pm
Clove delays 64GB Transformer Prime to spring
Talk of the Transformer Prime from ASUS being delayed in the US have just gained more traction, as the tablet was pushed back in the UK as well. Retailer Clove has updated those who preordered the device, stating that the 64GB model has been pushed back to spring from January, while the 32GB model's bundle price that include a keyboard dock was reduced to £499 (about $775) tax-inclusive, saving an extra premium. Those who pre-ordered the 32GB bundle will get the lower price automatically.
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12/19, 7:55am
Best Buy and Amazon delay ASUS Transformer Prime
ASUS' claims of the Transformer Prime arriving on time have been cast into doubt on Monday. In spite of an intended launch Monday, new reports from Engadget readers buying from Amazon have seen their orders "inadvertently cancelled" and ask them to pre-order again with a $10 gift card as compensation. Best Buy, meanwhile, has told advance order customers that theirs have been "back-ordered" by one to two weeks.
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12/15, 8:50pm
UK pricing set at £499 for package
Asus' Transformer Prime tablet has been confirmed for a January launch in the UK, however customers will not be able to purchase the tablet by itself. The company will only offer the tablet in a package that includes the notebook dock. Current UK launch plans are also said to be limited to the Wi-Fi model, rather than the 3G variant.
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12/14, 6:50pm
May have Android Ice Cream Sanwich preinstalled
ASUS Italy has revealed on their Facebook site that the availability of the Transformer Prime tablet has moved back until the end of January. The company has apologized to potential customers for the device not being available in time for the Christmas shopping season. The Italian arm of ASUS also indicated that corporate HQ had decided that the tablet worldwide will have Wi-Fi, but not 3G.
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12/14, 12:10pm
Merrill Lynch estimates iPad, Android real winners
Merrill Lynch analyst Scott Craig in a research note estimated that 2012 would see multiple tablet designers cut out of the market. RIM would be the primary victim, as its poor BlackBerry PlayBook sales had not only lacked momentum but created a ripple effect where developers didn't write apps. In his projection, the analyst saw the PlayBook as non-existent in 2012's market share.
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12/13, 5:00pm
Atom N2600 posts favorable early test numbers
A series of early benchmark tests centering around the upcoming Intel Atom N2600 have been performed by NetbookLive. The low-power Cedar Trail chip uses 32nm architecture and uses dual cores to attain its 1.6GHz clock speed, though these specs aren't yet official. Intel's integrated HD 3600 graphics running at 400MHz are onboard and it should support as much as 2GB of RAM.
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12/11, 1:55am
ASUS quickly dampens Transformer Prime rumors
ASUS quickly responded to NCIX's claims of a Transformer Prime delay by issuing a countering response. It claimed to SlashGear that the warnings of missing the December 19 target weren't official. The suggestion was made either that NCIX didn't have full details or that an outsider had fed bad information.
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12/10, 7:45pm
ASUS to give up market share to fix Wi-Fi range
ASUS encountered a large setback in its attempt to take the tablet market with the Transformer Prime late Friday. Online retailer NCIX messaged pre-order buyers at Phandroid and elsewhere that the quad-core Android tablet had been delayed "worldwide" and likely wouldn't make Christmas, if not the whole year. The Wi-Fi range on the metal-shelled tablet didn't "meet their standards" and was being improved before shipments started.
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