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This is What I'm Waiting For

Despite the clunky name, the concept of a phone that docks into a dummy tablet is fantastic. One data plan for two devices - that's how it ought to be, especially since the carriers are switching to a limited data model. If I'm paying for 4 GB of data, what does it matter which device I access it with? (I currently have unlimited with Verizon, but it seems unlikely that this will come to Verizon given their practice of extracting pennies from every orifice).

The other thing that seals it for me is the processor, as this looks like the first 28 nm A15 based architecture. Lots of people assume that Tegra 3 is the better SoC because it's quad core while the S4 in the Padphone is dual core, but Tegra 3 is A9 based and built on a 40 nm process, making it much less powerful and efficient per clock and for most apps.

Anyway, just thought I'd post here and share my excitement. Hopefully it's not too long - apparently the model on display at CES still had some major bugs, but I'm crossing my fingers for MWC and a carrier announcement.

BTW - Here's are links discussing the S4 vs. the Tegra 3.
AnandTech - Qualcomm's New Snapdragon S4: MSM8960 & Krait Architecture Explored

AnandTech - NVIDIA's Tegra 3 Launched: Architecture Revealed

And, since this is the first post in here, a link to the phandroid hands on of the Padfone.
Hands On Video: ASUS Padfone
 
I'm right there with you, this is easily the most interesting looking phone on the horizon to me, and ASUS seems to have finally figured out how to get people like me interested in tablets. When the ipad and other tablets were first introduced, I had a hard time caring; why would I pay $400+ for a bigger yet more limited version of something I already own? But the idea of a dock that simply gives my phone more screen real estate, charges it and by default allows me to use the data plan I'm already paying for when I want a tablet out of the house is exactly the right way to approach the tablet concept in its current form. And of course, whether it ends up with an S4 or a tegra3, that's a mighty SoC it's gonna carry. Fingers crossed it ends up on Verizon.
 
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Hmmmm, Count me in as interested. I've been tempering my interest until I knew if it had a keyboard lapdock for sure. Now that I have seen video proof of it, I am pretty interested, and may even switch carriers for it depending on the build quality. The three in one feature is a real hat-trick, and would fulfill all daily tasks well. I might even be able to ditch my desktop. We'll have to wait and see.

Asus Padfone demo - YouTube
 
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All I can say is WOW!!!
I have the transformer prime right now and absolutely love it. This thing is amazing though. To be able to have one device that does it all is fantasitc, phone, pad, docking station and stylus. I just watched a video showing how it works. She starts a video on the phone, then slides it into the pad and it pauses for a second and starts playing on the pad, how cool is that. The other great thing is the battery. You get one in the phone, the pad and the docking station!
If this comes to sprint, I will have one...
 
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All I can say is WOW!!!
I have the transformer prime right now and absolutely love it. This thing is amazing though. To be able to have one device that does it all is fantasitc, phone, pad, docking station and stylus. I just watched a video showing how it works. She starts a video on the phone, then slides it into the pad and it pauses for a second and starts playing on the pad, how cool is that. The other great thing is the battery. You get one in the phone, the pad and the docking station!
If this comes to sprint, I will have one...

I'm with you, I'd love this thing on Sprint's unlimited data plan, However I don't think the technology is in support of a move like that. The Padfone appears to be a GSM network based fone with HSPA for data, according to preliminary data? Meaning it will more than likely go to AT&T.
They'd have to build a separate iteration of the device or make it a dual network device (GSM and CDMA), which sadly I don't envision happening. It's a true shame.
 
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I'm just waiting for pricing, which is rumored to be around the 500 range. If that's true, selling this Galaxy S II Skyrocket and getting this beast. I have a ipad but its pretty annoying to have stuff on that and on my phone that's not the same. No need to sync would be perfect. With ATT, so I'm thinking network-wise, it'll be a smooth transition. Who knows when this will come stateside, so import for me!
 
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I really want this phone. One thing is grating on me though. It's the one device doing really cool innovative things with docks, yet I've found no mentions of there being a car dock. I don't mean for the tablet (though I'm sure some people would love that as well), just for the phone. My Nexus One doubles as my nav and is docked in the car for 90% of my driving. Third party mounts won't cut it. It needs to fit the phone perfectly, charge the phone, and put the phone directly into car mode when mounted.

I want the Padfone far more than any device on the market (or that I've seen on the horizon) but no quality car dock is pretty much a deal breaker for me.

I was all set with the backup plan of getting a Galaxy Nexus when it launches on Sprint, but I just read that the US version Galaxy Nexus dock doesn't have the pins to charge the phone and switch it to car mode.
 
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Since the U.S. is probably going to have the Padfone much later in the future, can someone clarify to me if a "Taiwanese" Padfone can be activated through VZW or AT&T, or Sprint, or ???? If yes, how? If not, why not? I am not much of a cell techie. Any info is appreciated. :thinking:

I don't see any reason why it can't be activated on GSM networks (I don't know which these are in the US, I'm British), but the reason I'm holding back is shipping costs and the keyboard dock has Chinese characters as well as English and may not be laid out like an English/ American keyboard.

I don't know if anyone knows if the tablet can dock with say the Transformer's keyboard dock?
 
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More than likely it will be device specific. You can't cross platform any of the other docks. I'd really like to see this in 4G LTE with a dual band chip so I can stay with Verizon.

However, this device is cool enough that I just may have to make the switch. There are some month-to-month companies out there using ATT's 3G that would make the cell service cheaper, but then you have to get an unlocked version.
 
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I don't see any reason why it can't be activated on GSM networks (I don't know which these are in the US, I'm British), but the reason I'm holding back is shipping costs and the keyboard dock has Chinese characters as well as English and may not be laid out like an English/ American keyboard.

I don't know if anyone knows if the tablet can dock with say the Transformer's keyboard dock?

Curious? Has anybody done this - bought a "foreign" Padfone and made it work in the US? If there is one or more of you out there, would you mind sharing your experience - good or bad? Thanks.
 
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Curious? Has anybody done this - bought a "foreign" Padfone and made it work in the US? If there is one or more of you out there, would you mind sharing your experience - good or bad? Thanks.

well according to PhoneArena, the Padfone supports

Technology
GSM:
850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
UMTS:
900, 2100 MHz
Data:
HSDPA+ (4G) 21.1 Mbit/s, HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS

So as long as your network has these and the phone takes a normal SIM in Taiwan, it does. I can't see any reason why this wouldn't work
 
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