PadFone officially revealed, ASUS hints at Ice Cream Sandwich and second-gen tablets

By Adam Rosenberg May 31, 2011

padfone-computex

Some images slipped out over the weekend with an early look at ASUS‘ planned device reveal at Computex this week, one that’s been teased with incomplete images and a question that reads, “Pad or Phone?” As we learned on Sunday, that answer to that question is “both.” Sort of.

At first glance, ASUS’ PadFone is a tablet/smartphone fusion in which a company-branded, iPhone-like cellular device fits snugly into a docking compartment that is part of a larger tablet. That’s what the weekend’s images showed us, but now Engadget has actually gotten to go hands on with the thing, and some additional details have emerged. Most importantly, the “pad” portion of this device does not function independently. It is essentially a tablet-shaped display, with the phone’s powers being enhanced in the joining.

What does that mean? Well, extended battery life, for starters. The display device apparently sports a built-in battery, much like the keyboard dock that goes with ASUS’ Eee Pad Transformer. The display also includes speakers and a small opening in the phone dock’s secret compartment that allows the camera to continue working, as well as, of course, a larger screen to gawk at. ASUS also hinted at other features, though nothing more was revealed.

Engadget also reports that the company is putting some thought into designing the display dock to remain compatible with future generations of branded phones, but no decisions have been made. There’s also no confirmation on which version of the Android operating system the phone will sport, but the ASUS rep pointed out to Engadget that Honeycomb is tablet-only, and this is technically a smartphone. With the PadFone targeted for a Christmas release, arriving alongside ASUS’ second generation of tablets, an Ice Cream Sandwich-powered release seems possibly, if not likely.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…

Mobile

Hack shows Android Ice Cream Sandwich on the Kindle Fire

While manufacturers begin to announce their own official Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update schedules, hackers are hard at work modifying the source code to function on other devices.
In this case it's Android developer JackpotClavin who has squeezed Ice Cream Sandwich on to the Amazon Fire tablet, and although it's not quite ready for everyday use, it's not far off. Based on CyanogenMod 9, the developer hopes the build and accompanying video will inspire others to get involved with the project.
On the positive side, the homescreen and widgets work, plus you can install the Android Market as well as download apps. However, those apps don't always respond as you'd hope, and video doesn't seem to work at all. There are also issues with the internal storage, with apps unable to write to the required section.
If you love tweaking Android, or are curious as to what the very latest version looks like on the Fire, give it a try. If you've already installed CyanogenMod 7 or a different custom ROM, then the process sounds similar. Liliputting.com has further instructions if you're interested.
For those who would rather wait for a more stable, working build for Amazon's popular little tablet, you can see ICS in action in the video below.

Mobile

LG finalizes its Ice Cream Sandwich update schedule

LG has been evaluating its Optimus smartphone range over the past few weeks, in order to see which models would be blessed with an upgrade to Android 4.0. Initially, it was just a handful of phones on the list, but according to a new post on their official Facebook page, several other devices have been deemed suitable too.
However, while LG gives, it also takes away, as those in line for a taste of Google's new version of Android are potentially in for a long wait. There are going to be two phases to the update, running through the second and third quarters of 2012.
The first wave of updates to Ice Cream Sandwich will consist of the brand-new Prada 3.0, the Optimus LTE, Optimus 2X, Optimus Sol, LG Eclipse and the LG my Touch Q. These will receive the new software sometime between April and June.
Next, LG will be dealing with the Optimus 3D, Optimus Big, Optimus Q2, Optimus EX and the Optimus Black; all of which are in the second wave of updates, potentially beginning in July next year. CNET points out that the Optimus Black's update should cover AT&T's Nitro HD and Sprint's Marquee, as they're essentially the same devices.
So, to recap, owners of relevant phones could get Ice Cream Sandwich as early as late March/early April 2012, or as late as September 2012. Put like that, it's easy to see why the Facebook comments are less than complimentary of LG's efforts.
However, it's now understood how complicated the process can be and we're still grateful that LG -- and others -- are so readily sharing their ICS plans, and that it's getting done at all.

Mobile

Samsung says TouchWiz keeps Galaxy S from Ice Cream Sandwich

Bad news—if you're one of the 10 million or so people that owns a Samsung Galaxy S phone, you won't be partaking in the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) update that the other Galaxy smartphones will be getting next year.
Samsung recently announced that a number of the Galaxy line will be joining the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S in running Android 4.0 early 2012, but on the company blog they confirmed that the Galaxy S as well as the 7 inch Galaxy Tab will not be getting the upgrade.
The reason for the upset? Samsung points out that the culpability lies with TouchWiz, Samsung Widgets, Video Calls and other functions which rob both the Galaxy Tab and the the Galaxy S of the necessary RAM or ROM to run the new OS without taking a hit in usability. There's just no room for the Ice Cream Sandwich update.
The Verge points out that this comes as a major disappointment as the Galaxy S runs the same 1GHz Hummingbird processor and memory as the Nexus S, which is currently able to accommodate ICS, but of course the Samsung Nexus S doesn't run TouchWiz.
Those of you that don't want to shell out for a completely new phone for ICS, TechCrunch points to a fully functioning Ice Cream Sandwich ROM for the Galaxy S; TouchWiz gets the boot, though its supposedly not the smoothest. Keep in mind that if you go this route you'll invalidate your warranty or you could possibly screw up your smartphone.
Some of the phones that are getting the ICS update include the Galaxy S II, Galaxy S II LTE, Galaxy Note, and the Galaxy R. Owners will most likely get the update in the early months of 2012.