ASUS launches the ASUS Fonepad yesterday (23rd April) in Singapore. As the name implies, it has the capability of a phone and the size of a tablet. The ASUS Fonepad will be available at S$369 from 27 April. All 3 Telcos will be bundling the Fonepad with attractive packages. More information in the Press Release.
ASUS touted the Fonepad as a solution for people who wants to own a tablet and also to make phone calls. In some ways, I agree. Currently, I use more data on my phone than on phone calls.
Here is the specs for the ASUS Fonepad.
[1] Specifications, content, prices and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment and other factors.
[2] Measured with 720p HD video playback, 100 nits brightness, with Wi-Fi and 3G enabled. Actual battery life may vary depending on operating conditions, and the specific hardware and software used.
A video on the device.
Press Release
ASUS Launches 7-inch Fonepad™ with 3G Mobile Data and Voice Calling
Built-in 3G for fast mobile data and full telephony support for two-in-one flexibility
Singapore (23 April, 2013) — ASUS today announced the availability of Fonepad™, a versatile 7-inch handheld equipped with 3G voice and mobile data for all the features of an Android smartphone, in Singapore. Powered by the new Intel® Atom™ processor Z2420 with Android 4.1, ASUS Fonepad features a vibrant HD display with IPS technology for wide viewing angles and outstanding clarity.
“ASUS design thinking philosophy begins with the idea that technology must adapt to our ever-changing lifestyles, and not the other way around,” said Alvin Huang, Country Manager, ASUS Singapore. “Increasingly, there is a demand for consumers who would like to have the best of both worlds – larger screen for entertainment purposes that could also offer telephony support. Hence we designed the ASUS Fonepad, which creates the perfect 2-in-1 combination of a tablet and phone with only one mobile data plan,” said Huang.
“Every consumer wants to carry a mobile device that runs fast and responsive applications, with eye-popping graphics and advanced camera features at consumer friendly price points. Users in value segment are no exception. The Intel® Atom™ processor Z2420 offers these capabilities through processing performance up to 1.2GHz built on Intel’s 32nm process technology. It delivers the required power efficiency, performance capability and flexibility to accommodate a range of devices and market needs,” said Uday Marty, Managing Director, Intel South East Asia. “The Asus Fonepad built on Intel® Atom™ processor Z2420 is optimised for the Google Android platform.”
Beautiful metallic design with Intel® Atom™ performance
ASUS Fonepad is ideal for people who value both the voice communication features of a smartphone and the entertainment opportunities afforded by a tablet, but prefer the convenience of carrying just one device.
Weighing at 340g and with a 10.4mm slim profile, ASUS Fonepad is a sleek and compact tablet with a metallic design that can be held comfortably in one hand. Powered by the latest Intel® Atom™ processor Z2420 with full Android compatibility, ASUS Fonepad features a perfect balance of performance and energy efficiency, with hardware-accelerated 1080p full HD video decoding and up to nine hours of battery life*.
The 7-inch screen features 10-point multi-touch, and a crisp 1280 x 800 HD resolution for crisp, readable web page text and incredibly detailed photos. IPS technology ensures vibrant colour with 178-degree wide viewing angles, and images that are clear and bright, even outdoors.
Built-in 3G for mobile data and voice calls
Built-in 3G with HSPA+ mobile data means ASUS Fonepad is an always-connected mobile device for seamless web browsing, fast downloads from Google Play Store, and smooth streaming of audio and video. Furthermore with its full 3G telephony support, ASUS Fonepad can also be used for voice calls using the built-in noise-cancelling digital microphone or an optional Bluetooth headset. With just one mobile data plan to pay for, running costs are also much lower than those of a separate smartphone and 3G tablet.
ASUS Fonepad is available in 8GB, and has an SD card slot to provide up to 32GB of additional storage. It also features a front 1.2-megapixel camera for easy video chat and an optional rear 3-megapixel autofocus camera with 720p HD video recording. ASUS SonicMaster audio technology with MaxxAudio 3 processing by Waves ensures clear, well-rounded sound quality.
Exclusive ASUS apps and accessories enhance productivity
ASUS Fonepad comes with a number of exclusive ASUS productivity apps: Floating App for easy management of running apps and multi-tasking; SuperNote Lite for handwritten notes and drawing; and WebStorage Office Online for Microsoft Office-compatible document editing on the move. ASUS Fonepad users also get 5GB of free lifetime ASUS WebStorage for syncing and sharing data with other devices.
Two new optional accessories will also be available for ASUS Fonepad. Available in four snazzy colors, VersaSleeve 7 is a wraparound cover with a folding design that both protects the tablet and props up the screen. Turn Case is a lightweight hardshell case for the ASUS Fonepad, and it features a soft interior that keeps the screen clean and a built-in stand that puts the screen at the perfect angle for watching video. Both accessories will be available in Singapore at a later date.
Availability and pricing
ASUS Fonepad will be available at S$369 from 27 April. It will be available at all Singtel, StarHub and M1 shops. All three telcos will offer the ASUS Fonepad at a range of attractive mobile price plans that will allow customers to connect to the respective DC-HSPA+ mobile networks. More details will be announced by the respective telcos closer to the availability date. ASUS Fonepad will also be available for purchase from ASUS authorised stores at a later date. All purchases will be entitled to an Audio-Technica $10 voucher and while stock lasts.
About ASUS
ASUS is a worldwide top-three consumer notebook vendor and maker of the world’s best-selling, most award-winning, motherboards. A leading enterprise in the new digital era, ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s digital home and office, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, displays, desktop and all-in-one PCs, notebooks, netbooks, servers, multimedia devices, wireless solutions, networking devices, tablets and smartphones. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 4,168 awards in 2012 and is widely credited with revolutionising the PC industry with its Eee PC™. ASUS has more than 12,500 employees around the globe with a world-class R&D team of 3,800 engineers. Company revenue for 2012 was approximately US$14 billion.
* Actual battery life may vary depending on operating conditions, and the specific hardware and software used.
All product information on the ASUS Fonepad are provided by ASUS. Please contact ASUS for more details.
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