Skip to main content

New Asus Eee Pads offer QWERTY keypads, detachable laptop bases, 1080p playback

Image used with permission by copyright holder

In a show that has already seen its share of iPad wannabes attempting to elbow in on the tablet spotlight, it will take more than a flashy screen and a thin body to stand out. Emphasizing the choice in its model line, Asus launched three new Android-powered Eee Pad models on Tuesday, including one with a sliding keyboard and another that turns into a quasi-laptop, that will attempt to do just that.

Recommended Videos

Eee Pad MeMO

The most straightforward of the bunch, Asus’ Eee Pad MeMo uses a seven-inch capacitive screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon processor from the smartphone parts bin, and runs Android 3.0 Honeycomb. The most notable spec might be the IPS screen – the same high-end display tech used in the iPad and a common thread among all three of Asus’ latest tablet offerings. In an unusual throwback to pre-iPhone days, it also includes a built-in stylus. It will retail between $499 and $699 in July.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Eee Pad Transformer

Moving up a peg in size, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer stays true to its namesake by transforming into a miniature laptop when you add a mobile docking station, similar to the Lenovo IdeaPad U1 we saw at CES 2010. Besides adding a keyboard, the docking station also imbues it with a claimed 16 hours of battery life. Even without it, the Transformer offers a 1.2-megapixel front camera, 5-megapixel rear camera, and a built-in mini HDMI port – potentially useful considering Nvidia’s Tegra 2 processor supplies it with enough grunt for smooth 1080p playback. The screen measures 10.1 inches, offers 1280 x 800 resolution, and without the docking station, Asus claims the Transformer measures just 12.98mm, making it thinner than the iPad. Asus will begin offering it in April for between $399 and $699.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Eee Pad Slider

Reinforcing an emphasis on choice that included a not-so-subtle jab at Apple, the Eee Pad Slider will offer nearly identical specs to the Transformer, but with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard rather than a full docking station. A slide-out keyboard on a 10.1-inch tablet? Indeed. And possibly as awkward as it sounds. The Slider includes a fold-out stand on that back that makes it possible to prop it up, but the pint-sized keyboard still looked awkward to type on, and produced a couple mistakes even during the carefully orchestrated on-stage demo. Despite the extra feature, though, Asus has kept weight to just 1.98 pounds, and thickness to a hair under 2/3 of an inch. The Slider will be available in May for between $499 and $799.

Image used with permission by copyright holder
Nick Mokey
As Digital Trends’ Editor in Chief, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team covering every gadget under the sun, along with…
Luxury watch brand Movado has a smart watch — it’s over $350 below retail price today
A Movado Bold Motion smart watch with a metal band, seen from the side, has a small circular Jomashop watermark.

Smart watches are fascinating ways to track our sleep, health, and fitness and make an interesting use of the wrist slot on our body in a world where the time is more available than ever. But we can criticize even the best smartwatches for looking a bit too techy. That is, if you want something that looks more traditional and fear looking too health-conscious, a smartwatch is seemingly not for you.

Fortunately, we're seeing an increasing interest in hybrid smartwatches — watches that use old world style with modern day tech. And, sometimes, they get a pretty good sale. Take the Movado Bold Motion in stainless steel that we're now seeing on Jomashop. It retails for $795, but they're selling it for just $442. That's a discount of $353, or around 44% off. Tap the button below to see and buy the watch or keep reading to learn about all of its details.

Read more
At 20% off, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL just became Android’s best phone
Pixel 9 Pro XL display.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is one of our favorite phones. In fact, it is right there at slot number two in our list of the best Android phones, where we call it the "best big Android phone." It's also 20% off today, knocking a 128GB storage and obsidian black version of the phone down to $884, from $1,099. That's a savings of $215. You can also get a discount on the , but it costs a few more dollars at $899. Tap the button below to see the phone we're highlighting in today's best deal or keep on reading to see why this is one of our favored phones.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is a powerhouse. It has 16GB of RAM, and excellent display, legitimately helpful AI tools, and what our Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review calls the "best Pixel hardware yet." As mentioned, it is the second phone detailed in our list of the best Android phones, labelled as a "big" phone. And it is, the XL referring to its 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED display with a 1344 x 2992 resolution and up to 120Hz refresh rate. Our review calls this display "outstanding" and tells us that the "screen is bright and vibrant without being too punchy." You begin to wonder why this is number two.

Read more
Preorder the Light Phone III and save $200 (and your sanity)
Light Phone 3

We're now living in a world where a significant proportion of people are actually wanting to "de-tech" parts of their lives without going tech-free altogether. Compare this year's article about the joys of dumb phones over this classic from 2011 that told us young people prefer tech over the ability to smell. And that brings us to the Light Phone III, an upcoming phone that you can pre-order today that will help simplify your life without going "dumb." It's actually quite techy, but, as our Light Phone III teaser described it, it is all done in an "intentional" way. In other words it is a phone meant to serve you and not advertisers or the parts of our brains that respond to flashing lights and sounds. Preorder it now (it's estimated to ship in August) for a $200 discount, dropping the phone from $799 to $599, by tapping the button below. Or, keep reading to see why less is sometimes more.

Why you should preorder the Light Phone III
Matter and anti-matter, protons and electrons, the lightness and the darkness — opposites create balance, or so the story goes. The Light Phone III provides all of the most important features of a modern day smartphone: A camera, alarm, timer, calculator, calendar, directory, directions, a notes app, and a simple music and podcast player. It has GPS, Bluetooth, finger print ID, flashlight, noise-cancelling mic, and can even be used as a hotspot for your other devices. There's even a nice AMOLED screen.

Read more