Asus Reveals “Transformer Prime,” Padfone Availability and Plans For ICS Update
Hey, if Samsung wasn’t going to use the awesome title, at least someone did. Asus chairman Jonney Shih showed off the company’s upcoming Transformer Prime (previously Transformer 2) during an interview at AsiaD today. 
The Transformer Prime is a tablet/netbook hybrid, rockin’ an all new aluminum form factor and slim 8.3mm thin profile (undocked). Confirming previous rumors, the 10-inch Asus Transformer will, in fact, be powered by Nvidia’s Tegra 3 quad-core processor. No other details were given but a formal announcement from Asus will come on November 9th.
That wasn’t the only bomb Mr. Shih dropped during the interview. First, Asus plans on updating current Asus Transformers to the newly announced Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich before the end of the year. Second, Asus also plans to ship the Padfone during 1st quarter of next year and running on none other than, you guessed it — Ice Cream Sandwich. As a refresher, the Padfone is essentially a tablet “shell” that allows a user to dock a phone into it then using the smartphone as the “brain” of the device. Ever since it was announced, it seemed like an ideal device to be running Ice Cream Sandwich as the updated Android OS now supports both smartphone and tablet functionality.
Business is looking good for Asus. Now, we’ll have to see if mainstream consumers will catch on to what they’re cooking. How about you guys? Which of these devices are you most excited about?
[AllThingsD image: Engadget]