Tablets & eReaders

[AZ_Dweller]

ASUS

Thank you very much for all of the support you have given to ASUS. Eee Pad Transformer Prime received excellent reviews and great demand when it launched in December 2011. Now, we are continuing to make the Transformer Prime available in the worldwide market, and doing our best to fulfill the incredible demand. ASUS strives to create the best products and provide the best service for our customers..., and will be releasing an FOTA update for the Transformer Prime shortly. This update, version 8.8.3.33, will improve the focus of the camera, the fluidity of the touch experience, and the APK capabilities in Android Market.

ASUS has been working hard to make the highly anticipated Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich available on the Transformer Prime, and today, we have good news for you. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich FOTA worldwide update for the Transformer Prime will start from Jan 12th, 2012. Thank you for your patience and support through this process.

In addition, we would like to address your concerns related to GPS and bootloader on the Transformer Prime.

The ASUS Transformer Prime is made from a metallic unibody design, so the material may affect the performance of the GPS when receiving signals from satellites. Please note that this product is not a professional GPS device, and signal performance can be easily influenced by factors including, but not limited to: weather, buildings, and surrounding environments. Please understand there are limitations when using the GPS function. To avoid inconveniencing users who demand a powerful GPS device, we made the decision to remove it from our specification sheet and marketing communications. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

Regarding the bootloader, the reason we chose to lock it is due to content providers' requirement for DRM client devices to be as secure as possible. ASUS supports Google DRM in order to provide users with a high quality video rental experience. Also, based on our experience, users who choose to root their devices risk breaking the system completely. However, we know there is demand in the modding community to have an unlocked bootloader. Therefore, ASUS is developing an unlock tool for that community. Please do note that if you choose to unlock your device, the ASUS warranty will be void, and Google video rental will also be unavailable because the device will be no longer protected by security mechanism.

Thank you for all the understanding and support for the ASUS Transformer Prime. Happy New Year!

[Entropy]

Glad I didn't purchase the Prime.  Locked bootloader = won't touch with a ten foot pole.  After HTC failed to deliver on their promises there's no way I'll trust anyone when they say, "trust us, we'll eventually onlock it".

[Hoogie]

Holly smokes!  Locked boot loader?  No GPS?  Metal casing hindering WiFi signal and GPS?  Sound to me like they rushed this one out the door before Xmas and completely messed it up.  Glad I cancelled Xmas Eve after not getting any response from BB regarding my 11/23 order.

Who the heck wants anything "LOCKED!"

Anyone know who is next in line to put all the original specs for this device into a like Tablet/Laptop combo that's running Microsoft OS?

[Entropy]

Even the original Transformer had its own quirks...

Look for Samsung to have a refresh of the 10.1 in a few months - IMO, Samsung's 10.1 was the most refined and polished of the 10.1" tablets.

Even if they just refreshed to an Exynos I'd sell my current 10.1 and grab the refresh in a heartbeat.  Too bad right now the choices are 10.1" Tegra or smaller 7" units with better CPUs (OMAP4 or Exynos)

[Hoogie]

I think you've got the right idea.  Watching Samsung closely now.  I just found the Samsung Galaxy Note 5.3" unlocked cell phone that looks real interesting.  I'm a very light Pay-As-You-Go cell phone user, but heavy WiFi user; thus my original interest in the Prime.  I may try out an UNLOCKED Galaxy Note when it arrives in the US with my BB gift cards.  The question is the same old story, if/when will BB get it compared to everyone else.  I can buy it now elsewhere...

Is Samsung or any others planning a 10" Tablet with UNLOCKED GSM cell phone integration?  Not really interested in the coming Asus PadFone combo.

That Samsung Galaxy Note with stylus, plus planned financial transaction NFC chip set and ICS might just be my next UNLOCKED toy!

[Namuh]

This is why I just canceled my BB order I placed on Nov. 30th. Good riddance to BB and Asus! NEVER again.

[Entropy]

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Hoogie wrote:

I think you've got the right idea.  Watching Samsung closely now.  I just found the Samsung Galaxy Note 5.3" unlocked cell phone that looks real interesting.  I'm a very light Pay-As-You-Go cell phone user, but heavy WiFi user; thus my original interest in the Prime.  I may try out an UNLOCKED Galaxy Note when it arrives in the US with my BB gift cards.  The question is the same old story, if/when will BB get it compared to everyone else.  I can buy it now elsewhere...

Is Samsung or any others planning a 10" Tablet with UNLOCKED GSM cell phone integration?  Not really interested in the coming Asus PadFone combo.

That Samsung Galaxy Note with stylus, plus planned financial transaction NFC chip set and ICS might just be my next UNLOCKED toy!

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I think 10" unlocked GSM Tab 10.1s may exist internationally - but the market for unlocked GSM devices without contract subsidy in this country is poor so it's rare for unlocked phones to come here - I was surprised to see BBY carrying the GT-I9100.  I just tether my Tab 10.1 to my Galaxy S II (AT&T version, I777).

Note that the AT&T version of the Note that is rumored to be in process is also rumored to be crippled with oddball hardware like the Skyrocket is.

[Hoogie]

What oddball hardware are you referring to?

Not interested in a Tablet without removable folding Laptop-Style keyboard, but a smaller "Phablet" like the Note will meet my needs; actually meet my needs better than a Phone and Tablet.  IMHO the Note with Ice Cream Sandwich is a SWEET SPOT device.  Functioning "USA"  LTE is a must, so I believe importing is out for me (and of course those pesky BB Gift Cards I'm saddled with...).

[RickRiss]

I don't get it! I ordered my Prime 11/30 and have no correspondence as to when it is expected to ship or when they expect to receive them. At one point before christmas I received an email offering to let me change from Champagne color to the Gray but when I called customer service they said no Gray in stock and to either cancel or keep my existing order with no idea when it would be filled. At this point they seem to have no idea when the Champagne is going to be available. I would be happy to change to Gray as long as I have an expected ship date but customer sernvice has been useless in trying to accomplish that. I run a small business and know the importance of customer service. I'm sticking with Best Buy only because the Prime Dick was purchased with Gift Cards. Any ideas on where better info on Prime production is available?

[Namuh]

I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note last week since my prime never came. I highly recommend it. I live this phablet!