ASUS Tablet: Like That. But Better.

I just posted an article yesterday about Apple releasing their first commercial ad for the iPad 2.  Like it or not, iPad is the Big Dawg and all other tablets are trying to nip at it’s heels. Closest contended would be Android’s Honeycomb Tablets like the Motorola XOOM, but as innovative as the user experience is, it’s still not catching on to match the hype it rode into town with. Now there is no denying the dual core processor or the HD Screen, but hardware isn’t the whole selling point to buying a tablet. Today, Bryan sent me a link to some killer marketing and ASUS’s new angle to contest the iPad 2. In their marketing it simply states: “Like That. But Better”. Again very arguable, but what ASUS is doing is including more hardware to better enhance the Honeycomb user experience. Check out this ad by Best Buy:

The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101 is betting some optional hardware like the keyboard will help put over their new tablet. The TF101 is also making use of some other cool hardware options missing from the iPad 2 such as:

• Optional QWERTY Keyboard Docking Station with Unique Android Function (Fn) Keyes. (adds 16 hours of battery life)
• NVIDIA Tegra 2 Dual Core Processor
• 2qty USB 2.0 ports (nice)
• 4-1 Card Reader
• Better Cameras 1.2mp front shooter and 5 mp rear.
• Yep, Adobe Flash 10.2
• SRS Sound with dynamic 3D Stereo (iPad 2 is not all the great here)
• Memory: 1GB DDR2

But at the end of the day you still have to love Android and the whole Honeycomb experieince and Apple still has them beat with Apps and a better Marketplace. For me, I don’t want ot need the optional laptop docking station. I have centered my tablet needs between my smartphone and laptop and enjoy having a larger viewing area to follow media and respond to work related needs with a very lightweight, easy to use thin device. When the situation needs a full keyboard or lots of data entry, I just prefer my laptop. Like the Motorola ATRIX and as cool as the docking station keyboard is. It remains too much money for something falls way short of what a laptop can do.

Thanks Bryan for the tip and please share your thoughts on tablets and how it I has fit into your mobile life.

No pricing on the Eee yet but we will keep you posted.

Best Buy Link

Press release:

ASUS Introduces the Eee Pad Transformer

– Innovation meets Versatility as ASUS launches the Eee Pad Transformer TF101 tablet with a unique expandable keyboard docking station –

Fremont, CA (March 25, 2011) – ASUS is excited to announce the launch* of the Eee Pad Transformer, the best tablet choice for users looking for media consumption and mobile productivity in an elegant yet versatile design. The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer features the powerful and responsive Android 3.0 operating system, an optional expandable keyboard docking station, and ASUS’ intuitive Waveshare user interface that results in an exciting portable tablet for content creation, social communication, high-definition media playback and smooth realistic game play.

Exciting mini-cinema entertainment on-the-go
Powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 dual-core processor, the Transformer browses the web at blazing speeds, providing snappier response times and excellent multi-tasking performance. An IPS (in-plane switching) Panel made from durable and scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass is viewable at angles up to 178°, perfect for sharing your favorite photos, web pages, work documents and more with co-workers, friends or family next you or across the room. The 10.1” IPS panel features LED backlighting that provides brilliant and vivid colors at a 1280×800 resolution, perfect for viewing high-definition movies and other media content.

Built-in SRS Sound technology provides a dynamic 3D stereo audio experience, with maximum bass response and a wide sound field from the discrete speakers housed in a thin 0.51” thick chassis that only weighs 1.49lbs. A 1.2MP front-facing camera is perfect for video conferencing while the rear-facing 5MP camera can shoot and record HD video, which can be played back on HDTVs via the mini HDMI output port, making the Eee Pad Transformer a true mobile entertainment device.

Transform from pad to notebook mode with optional keyboard docking station
The Transformer sets itself apart from other tablets on the market by featuring an optional docking station. This unique docking station provides access to a full QWERTY keyboard along with unique Android Function keys, instantly turning the Transformer into a mobile content creation device.

A touchpad, 3.5mm audio jack, two USB ports as well as a built-in SD Card reader for easy file sharing and storage expandability makes the Transformer a versatile media hub. The docking station also extends the Transformer’s 9.5 hours** of battery life up to 16 hours**, so users can use it all day for work or play. In addition, the ultra-convenient ASUS WebStorage* with one year of unlimited storage space provides worry-free cloud computing.

Android 3.0 OS melds with ASUS’ Waveshare UI for a unique user experience
Google’s Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) is a revolutionary operating system specially designed and optimized for tablets, which enables users a rich web experience for on-the-go web browsing, social media activities, video playback and casual gaming. Supporting Adobe® Flash® 10.2*** and the ever growing Android Market, media entertainment is just a finger swipe away. The convenient ASUS Launcher also allows users to easily launch software, manage content and access online services and connect devices with a few simple taps, while ASUS’ Waveshare Interface hosts a variety of unique applications* such as MyNet, MyLibrary, MyCloud and more.

MyNet easily streams digital media wirelessly within home network devices so HD videos or music can be played on devices such as an HDTV or desktop PCs for an even better experience from the Transformer. MyLibrary consolidates downloaded books, magazines and newspapers in to one easy to browse profile while MyCloud is a total cloud solution, providing access to digital content such as music, videos and files from the cloud anywhere, anytime. Users can even use MyCloud to remotely access and control any PC or Mac system and access applications or files to extend the versatility of the Eee Pad Transformer experience.