Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime: details on the new Android, quad-core tablet – The Verge The Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts. 2012-01-16T16:24:04+00:00 https://www.theverge.com/rss/stream/2296566 https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/verge-rss-large_80b47e.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1 Adi Robertson <![CDATA[No 3G Transformer Prime, says Asus]]> https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/16/2710853/asus-transformer-prime-tablet-no-3g 2012-01-16T11:24:04-05:00 2012-01-16T11:24:04-05:00
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The saga of the 3G Transformer Prime continues, this time with some bad news. According to Focus Taiwan, Asus has now said that it will not be releasing a 3G version of the tablet, and that "no such product exists on its current roadmap." Previously, we'd seen reports that a 3G Transformer Prime was coming out in March; even earlier, Asus downplayed the need for 3G on its tablets. According to the same report, the company is planning to add 3G to other high-end Transformer product in the future, but at this point you'll probably want to believe that when you see it. Fortunately, none of this should affect shipping of the updated TF700T, which …

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]]> Nathan Ingraham <![CDATA[Asus Transformer Prime’s latest firmware already rooted]]> https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/3/2679962/asus-transformer-prime-firmware-root 2012-01-03T18:49:03-05:00 2012-01-03T18:49:03-05:00
Asus Transformer Prime updated firmware

The fun doesn't stop today for the Transformer Prime: we've seen Asus confirm the release date for Android 4.0, a new firmware update pushed out, and now the device has been rooted for the first time by xda-developers poster jcase and TeamAndIRC. There's video proof on YouTube showing the Transformer Prime running the latest firmware and accessing root-only apps like Superuser and Titanium Backup, but you'll have to be patient if you want to root your own tablet. The team behind this hack aren't planning on releasing it into the wild until after January 12th so that Asus can't block it when it pushes out Ice Cream Sandwich. Given the furor th …

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]]> Nathan Ingraham <![CDATA[Android 4.0 coming to Asus Transformer Prime on January 12th, bootloader unlock tool to follow]]> https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/3/2679320/asus-transformer-prime-android-4-ice-cream-sandwich-jan-12-unlocked-bootloader 2012-01-03T12:28:52-05:00 2012-01-03T12:28:52-05:00
Transformer Prime lead

It's been a big week for the Eee Pad Transformer Prime - Asus released yet another firmware update for the tablet, and now we have official confirmation that Android 4.0 will be coming starting on January 12th. Asus made this announcement on its Facebook page alongside news that it will be providing owners with a bootloader unlocking tool. The presence of a locked bootloader had been a major point of contention for users since it was discovered a few days ago, so it's good to see Asus responding so quickly. The company noted the lock was in place to enable Google video rentals, and that users will have voided their warranty and be unable to …

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]]> Nathan Ingraham <![CDATA[Asus pushes out another Transformer Prime firmware update to fix GPS troubles]]> https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/3/2678837/asus-transformer-prime-firmware-update-gps-fix 2012-01-03T08:43:18-05:00 2012-01-03T08:43:18-05:00
Asus Transformer Prime firmware update alert

We've really enjoyed our time with the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, but it seems some users haven't been so lucky. GPS lock-on has been confirmed as suspect, and while Asus released a firmware update last week to improve stability, there's another over-the-air patch making the rounds. This update to build 8.8.3.33 purports to "enhance GPS speed" by automatically downloading satellite locations tables over Wi-Fi; other changes include improved touch response and better camera focusing (an issue we took note with in our review). Strangely enough, the details for this firmware only appear to be posted on Asus's Germany Facebook page; the sup …

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]]> Vlad Savov <![CDATA[Asus Transformer Prime bootloader is locked, say xda devs]]> https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/2/2676062/asus-transformer-prime-bootloader-encryption 2012-01-02T05:28:28-05:00 2012-01-02T05:28:28-05:00
Asus Transformer Prime Android Honeycomb Update Logo

As if Asus didn't have enough software headaches with the Transformer Prime already, it's now added one entirely of its own making: an angry homebrew community that has just discovered that the Prime's bootloader is encrypted. A 128-bit encryption key stands between eager Prime modders and the ability to load custom ROMs of their own, which has been greeted with an understandable mix of disgust and frustration.

HTC was the most recent other company to dabble with encryption-locked bootloaders, which incited enough of a customer backlash for CEO Peter Chou to personally reverse course and promise that bootloaders on all recent HTC phones wou …

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]]> Dante D'Orazio <![CDATA[Asus Transformer Prime now shipping from some retailers]]> https://www.theverge.com/2011/12/19/2646295/asus-transformer-prime-now-shipping-availability 2011-12-19T11:05:01-05:00 2011-12-19T11:05:01-05:00
Transformer Prime

After many rumors that the Transformer Prime was delayed, Asus assured us that the quad-core Tegra 3 tablet would start shipping this week. It looks like the company stuck to its word. We've heard from a tipster (thanks, Ben!) that Amazon has started shipping the quad-core Tegra 3 tablet to those who pre-ordered the device, and there's also news that TigerDirect Canada is shipping it out as well. However, there are also reports coming in that Best Buy has delayed its pre-orders by one to two weeks, and we've reached out to Asus for comment. We'll let you know when we hear more, but in the meantime be sure to check out our review.

Update: We …

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]]> Vlad Savov <![CDATA[Eee Pad Transformer Prime UK pre-order begins today at £499, includes keyboard dock]]> https://www.theverge.com/2011/12/16/2640178/eee-pad-transformer-prime-price-pre-order-uk 2011-12-16T04:38:59-05:00 2011-12-16T04:38:59-05:00
Asus EEE Transformer Prime

Asus has just informed us that the Eee Pad Transformer Prime, its latest and arguably Android's best tablet to date, will be going up for pre-order in the UK starting today. Currys, HMV, PC World, Carphone Warehouse, Ebuyer, and even Tesco.com will be ready to take your order in exchange for £499. Yes, that price includes the keyboard dock as well! The actual release date has been left strategically off the press release, but Asus expects to be shipping these pre-orders out in January and also makes a solemn promise to soon deliver Android 4 to the Prime via an over-the-air update.

In the UK, the Transformer Prime will come with 32GB of sto …

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]]> Dieter Bohn <![CDATA[Asus Transformer Prime US release date official: Dec. 12 online, Dec. 19 retail]]> https://www.theverge.com/2011/12/1/2602224/asus-transformer-prime-us-release-date-official-dec-12-online-dec-19 2011-12-01T01:01:55-05:00 2011-12-01T01:01:55-05:00
Transformer Prime

Although earlier rumors had pegged US availability for the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime a bit sooner, Asus has let us know that it expects US online availability for the tablet beginning on December 12th and December 19th for brick-and-mortar stores. Those release dates could change slightly depending on how many pre-orders Asus needs to fill first, but it looks like a sure bet you'll be able to pick one up before the year is out. Unfortunately, there's no word yet on when the 3G models will arrive in the US.

Pricing will be $499 for the 32GB version and $599 for the 64GB version, with an extra $149 on top if add in the keyboard dock. Cur …

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]]> Joanna Stern <![CDATA[Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime review]]> https://www.theverge.com/2011/12/1/2601558/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-review 2011-12-01T01:00:13-05:00 2011-12-01T01:00:13-05:00
Transformer Prime lead

What does a laptop in the post-PC era look like? Is it an ultrabook with familiar internals and software in a dramatically slimmed-down shell? Or is it possible to use a modern mobile OS like Android, energy-efficient chips, and build something that bridges the gap between the portability of a tablet and the power of a laptop? Leave it to two companies with deep roots in the PC industry - Asus and Nvidia - to take a stab at that question with the Eee Pad Transformer Prime. It's the world's first quad-core Tegra 3 tablet, and not only does it have double the power of today's dual-core ARM processors, but like the original Transformer, it's av …

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]]> Joanna Stern <![CDATA[Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime with Ice Cream Sandwich teased in a short video]]> https://www.theverge.com/2011/11/22/2580128/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-ice-cream-sandwich-video 2011-11-22T09:15:42-05:00 2011-11-22T09:15:42-05:00
Transformer Prime ICS

You know what can top a homemade, out-of-focus video of Ice Cream Sandwich running on Asus' old Eee Pad Transformer? An official video of ICS running on Asus' new Eee Pad Transformer Prime. Nvidia has just released a polished (yet insanely short) video of the new quad-core Tegra 3 tablet running Android 4.0. While the tablet won't launch with the OS in early December - shipping units will boot up Android 3.2 - Asus has promised an ICS helping before the end of the year. And it looks like it's going to be well worth that short wait. Of course, the demo is very staged and only a few things are shown, including a five second look at a game cal …

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