[CES 2014] ASUS unveils PadFone X, headed to AT&T, could Canada be next?

ASUS's Original Padfone is surprisingly headed towards its second birthday this summer and really was the start of ASUS' attempt at bridge the gap between smartphones and tablets by making them use the same hardware. While the idea is still quite novel to North Americans, the PadFone name is soon to make its first big splash in North America with the PadFone X headed to AT&T to our friends in the U.S.

Little is known about the PadFone X's official specs other than Voice over LTE Support, which is quite interesting and quite possibly a North American first, and HD Voice. We also know that the phone will have a 5-inch 1080p display while the tablet will have a 9-inch display, will have dual front facing stereo speakers and will be running Android 4.4 KitKat. Other than that no word on internal specifications.

What does this mean for Canadians however? While there is no word on Canadian availability, the fact that a deal has been brokered between ASUS and AT&T has us believing that we would not be surprised if one or more of the Canadian Big Three, Rogers, Bell or TELUS were to piggy back on the bulk AT&T purchase to nab their own units.

Google Play Editions of the Sony Xperia Z Ultra and LG G Pad 8.3 as well as white Nexus 7 (2013) annouced

Yesterday was a surprising day for fans of Stock Android as Google has unveiled a trio of new devices available on the Google Play Store. The Sony Xperia Z Ultra and LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition join the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Play Edition and the Nexus 7 (2013) gets a makeover in white.

Unfortunately these new devices are only available to US customers. This isn't surprising when it comes to Google Play Edition devices as the S4 and One GPe were never made available to Canadians, but to see the white Nexus 7 (2013) be unavailable to us is quite disappointing.

Nevertheless it is good to see more devices get the GPe treatment. Hopefully they make their way to Canadian in an official manner in the future.

Nexus 7 (2013) LTE available from Canadian Google Play Store

We'll classify this as "slipped right under our noses" as the LTE enabled Google Nexus 7 (2013) is now available to Canadians via the Google Play Store. This should be a fantastic option for people with large data plans and happen to have the share tablet data add-ons.

Here's a refresher of specs: 7-inch 1080p capable 1920x1200 pixel display, Quad Core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM, wireless Qi charging capabilities, Stereo Speakers, 16/32GB of storage and of course the latest version of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

Nexus 7 2013 now available in Canada through the Google Play store

With the excitement around the the new 2013 Nexus 7, the first thing that probably came to mind was when can I get one. For Canadians, as usual, we had a bit if you wanted to buy straight from the Google Play store. But today the wait is over as the Nexus 7 (2013) is now available in 16GB and 32GB version for $229.00 and $269.00 which is surprisingly on par with US prices!

Here's a refresher of specs: 7-inch 1080p capable 1920x1200 pixel display, Quad Core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM, wireless Qi charging capabilities, Stereo Speakers, 16/32GB of storage and of course the latest version of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

Unfortunately there is no sign of an LTE version yet.

Leaked shots of the new 2013 Nexus 7 show us what to expect on Wednesday

Well it's just about official, the Nexus 7 2013 edition is about to finally get unveiled and as we get closer to the announcement more and more leaks are coming in.

This time it's the full set of press images expected to make the rounds for the official unveiling of the ASUS made Nexus 7 2013. Specs are also expected to include a 1.5GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Processor, 2GB of RAM, a 7-inch 1980x1200 (effectively 1080p) and will come packing Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. It will come in two storage flavors of 16GB and 32GB at $229 and $269 respectively (with an expected surcharge for us Canadians).

No word on LTE capabilities but it's expected to be made available at some point.

Check out the rest of the press pictures after the break.

Nexus 7 with upgraded specs hits the FCC

To say that the Nexus 7 has been a success would a grave understatement for one of the most successful Android Tablets to date. So when Google I/O rolled around many expected to see a Nexus 7 Refresh. We are now getting clue of such a device with an ASUS made devices going through the FCC and seems to very well be the successor to the very popular Nexus 7.

Reported specs include a 1.5GHz Quad Core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, Adreno 320 graphics, 4000mAh battery, LTE capabilities and a 5MP rear facing camera. We look forward to the release of this refreshed Nexus 7. With LTE capabilities, we wouldn't be surprised to see it be available from carriers in the near future.

It's Nexus day! The Nexus 4 has come and gone (in Canada)

If you were planning to pickup a Nexus 4, either 8 or 16GB, chances are you're out of luck. According to various social media (reddit, Twitter) the Play store started selling the Nexus 4 at 11:45-11:50AM ahead of the rumored 12PM launch. We were planning to grab a Nexus 4 of our own to review to no avail.

Fortunately, those planning to get the Nexus 7 32GB /w HSPA+ or Nexus 10 16GB/32GB should still be in luck as the seem to still be available as of this post. But considering the speed with which the Nexus 4 sold out, we wouldn't wait too long.

ASUS announces sales numbers for the Nexus 7, tablet sales neared a million last month

Android tablets haven't had the success that Android smartphones have enjoyed but it looks like that trend is being reversed. While their Transformer series of tablets are absolutely rock solid devices with incredible build quality and internal hardware it was the Nexus 7 that really caught mainstream attention. With its fantastic internal hardware, good build quality and incredible price points, the tablet has been one of the most if not the most successful Android Tablet to date.

ASUS has announced that its profits have ballooned to $230 million thanks to strong notebook and tablet sales (2.3million in Q3).

Nexus 7 32GB + 3G and Nexus 10 coming to Canada on November 13th

Along with the launch of the Nexus 4, Google also announced the Nexus 7 32GB, Nexus 7 32GB + 3G and the spec shattering Nexus 10.

The new Nexus 7's are similar to already existing Nexus 7s, Tegra 3 Quad Core, 1GB RAM, 7-inch 1280x800 display except this time around the refreshed models sport 32GB of storage and one of them has 3G Pentaband connectivity for compatibility on all GSM carriers in Canada.

The Nexus 10's specs are on the other hand as beastly as the leaks have shown, A world first Dual-Core 1.7 GHz Cortex A-15 Samsung Exynos 5250, Mali-T604 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 10.1 inch Retina busting 2560x1600 resolution (300 DPI pixel density), 5MP camera, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, Dual front facing speakers, Android 4.2.

With the Android event canceled for now, let's see what we know so far

Sadly, Google has canceled the October 29th event due to Hurricane Sandy hitting New York in a few hours. Regardless, the rumor mills have gone into overdrive in the past 2 weeks. We've seen leaks left and right which leaves us wondering what is there left for Google to show. For those of you who haven't kept track of all the leaks here's a rundown of what we know so far.

Pricing and Specs detailed for Asus Padfone 2

The Padfone 2 has been listed for release later this year, the successor to the original Asus Smart Phone/Tablet hybrid released only earlier this year. This update boasts a 4.7" display, a 1.5Ghz quad-core processor and is LTE-Enabled, which is the real kicker when plugged into it's included docking station, turning this smart phone device into an LTE, Ice Cream Sandwich Tablet. When connected, the docking station will provide extra battery life and a 10.1-inch, 1280x800 display. Unfortunately the device has only been priced in Europe (at 799€ base price) and considering the limited availability of it's predecessor, likely won't be making it to Canada.

While it may seem like a niche market, you have to hand it to Asus for continually making efforts at new design between their line of Padfone's and keyboard-docking Transformers.

Google releases Android 4.1.2 to the masses, hitting Nexus 7 first

Google has pushed out a minor Jelly Bean update to the Android Open Source Project, Android 4.1.2. While it isn't a massive upgrade, it does come with a few nice changes with the standard "improved performance/stability and bug fixes". Most notably, for Nexus 7 users (the only ones getting the update as of now), is the new found ability to use the tablet in landscape mode. This was a bit of a head scratcher when the Nexus 7 was announced, but we are glad it's now included. For those of you with a Nexus 7 you should be getting a notification to upgrade shortly. If you're itching to get your upgrade faster check out how to force the update after the break.

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime getting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update tonight

Looks like ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime owners are getting a treat this weekend as some users have reported that they have started receiving an upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. If you own a ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime and have been itching for the update, go to Settings -> System Firmware Update -> Check Update.

HTC or ASUS should be the next Nexus phone manufacturer

With the end of the summer looming upon us and the start of fall just around the corner, rumors of the next Nexus device will start percolating through various tech media outlets. However, this isn't the reason for writing this editorial. What I do want to explore, is why I believe that either HTC or ASUS should be the manufacturer for Google's next Nexus phone.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for ASUS tablets (Transformer Pad TF300, Transformer Prime TF201, Transformer Pad Infinity TF700) on the way

ASUS has just posted, via Facebook, this teaser picture and saying "When Mr. JellyBean is in the office, it means something good is coming. LIKE me...". This only mean one thing, Jelly Bean is close to heading out for the Transformer line of ASUS Tablet. We know that ASUS has confirmed it for the Transformer Pad TF300, Transformer Prime TF201 and finally the Transformer Pad Infinity TF700. Still murky is the fate of the cult hit Transformer TF101 and Slider SL101. We should hear how things go down in the next few days.

Playstation Mobile gains two more OEMs in ASUS and Wikipad

After HTC broke the ice as Sony's first third party partner for their PlayStation Mobile platform, we expected more OEMs to join the fray. Sony annouced today at Gamescom 2012 that ASUS and Wikipad will be joining in as Third Party OEMs as well. ASUS is well known in the Android world for their Transformer line of tablets as well as being the OEM partner to Google for the Nexus 7. Wikipad on the other hand is a company behind a tablet also called Wikipad that will be aimed at the consumer gaming market with hardware chosen for gaming and actual gamepad controls.

Original ASUS Eee Pad Transformer and Slider to get Jelly Bean afterall

Looks like our doubts were founded in the last report we had about the Transformer not getting Jelly Bean. ASUS Germany has come out to say that the reports from Dutch website TabletsMagazine was not accurate and that the Original ASUS Eee Pad Transformer and Slider will be getting an upgrade to Jelly Bean after all. We are happy to see this as we expect the improvements of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, especially Project Butter, to really bring an already polished Android experience to the Transformer and Slider.

Original ASUS Eee Pad Transformer not getting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean?

Manufacturers have been pretty timid in backing Google's latest Android OS, Jelly Bean. But according to tabletsmagazine.nl, ASUS has come forward to say that the Transformer Prime, Transformer Prime Infinity and Transformer Pad 300 will be getting an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Unfortunately, it also looks like it's the end of the line for the Original Eee Pad Transformer updates. We aren't sure this is something confirmed as our Dutch isn't too sharp and Google Translate can only do so much, but if it is true this is quite disheartening as hardware shouldn't be an issue to run Jelly Bean.

Nexus 7 announced [Google I/O]

After weeks of speculation, leaks and rumors the Nexus 7 has finally been unveiled. As per the leaked specs and rumors; the Nexus 7 is is powered by a Nvidia Tegra 3 Quadcore, has 7 inch 720p screen, is preloaded with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and manufactured by ASUS and all for the mind blowing $199. It's also the first Android device to have Chrome as it's default browser. Best of all Canada is one of the launch countries for the Nexus 7 being available at the Google Play Store in both 8GB and 16GB version. We'll be getting our hands on the Nexus 7 as soon as possible to give you our in depth review. Check out the press release and press shots after the break.

Jelly Bean to be Android 4.1? Possible debut on sub-$200 ASUS made tablet.

Rumors of an ASUS manufactured, Tegra 3 Quad core powered, 7 inch Jelly Bean tablet have been running rampant for the past few weeks. We reported earlier this year that ASUS would be looking to make a similarly equipped tablet for $250 and we though that was a great deal. Recent rumors have been suggesting that Google would be looking into partnering with ASUS to produce a $199 which would make it an even better deal. Today we get our first evidence of the existence the "Nexus Tablet", as Powerboard's Rightware benchmarking software has recorded a device listed as "Google Asus Nexus 7" with a Tegra 3 CPU and a 1280x768 resolution display. We will bring you more info on this tablet as the story unfolds.