Asus Hints at New Eee, Releases Accessories

Buzz around the Eee includes a likely WiMAX version in the works, new accessories such as extended batteries, and rumors of an 8.9-inch screen.

They say not to mess with success, so Asus is trying a different method: building on it. After the early success of its low-cost Eee PC, Asus has begun to expand the machine past its humble origins. The company recently released a line of Eee accessories, and on Monday hinted at a new model with WiMAX capability, with rumors of a bigger screen to boot.

New accessories include compact mice, earphones, power adapters and battery extensions. The 1000dpi-resolution optical mice measure just 3.5 inches long and come in pink, blue, green, white, and black. Eee earphones are designed for noise isolation, and come with three different gel tips to find the best fit. The new power adapters can be ordered to meet power code specifications for different countries, and the new batteries will be available in 4- or 6-cell variants. Prices have not yet been announced.

Meanwhile, an announcement about an Asus WiMAX event at the upcoming CES expo in Las Vegas implied that a new version of the Asus EEE would likely come with WiMAX support. The site invited attendees to “learn about the state of WiMAX technology, preview next-generation mobile solutions (including the next generation EeePC) and immerse yourself in tomorrow’s wireless protocol.”

Reports of a forthcoming 8.9-inch screen are somewhat shakier, originating from the China Times, and not directly from Asus. The Times reported on Dec. 26 that an 8.9-inch model should be coming in January. Suppliers for Asus appear to have been the source of the information.