User:Nextil/ASUS Eee Pad MeMO 370T

ASUS Eee Pad MeMO 370T ...

The Asus Eee Pad MeMO 370T is the world's first Android tablet computer with a quad-core processor. It runs Android 3.2 Honeycomb with Asus promising an update to Android 4.0 in the near future. The MeMO 370T was announced by Asus on 9 November 2011. The tablet computer was released in Taiwan on 1 December 2011. The MeMO 370T was released in Canada and the United States during the week of 19 December 2011.

Features
The Eee Pad is a tablet computer with a 10.1" IPS+ multi-touch screen with a resolution of 1280x800 and an Nvidia Tegra 3 system-on-a-chip (SoC). It has a 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi module and a microSD card reader.

The optional docking keyboard features full QWERTY keys, trackpad, one USB 2.0 port and one Secure Digital (SD) card reader as well as an additional battery that increases overall battery life from 12 hours to 18 hours. There is also a sleeve which protects the tablet when not in use. This has similarities with the iPad 2 Smart Cover, but folds in an origami like fashion.

Software
The MeMO 370T shipped with Android 3.2 Honeycomb. Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich update was released on January 11, 2012 for the MeMO 370T.

Reception
The tablet has been noted for its graphics performance in games optimised for the Tegra 3, with the water in Riptide GP prompting a description of "awesome". By contrast, file transfer speeds for writing were one of the slowest in tablets tested. A review unit was rooted in December 2011. Users of the device intending to install a custom ROM themselves were disappointed in January 2012 to discover a locked and encrypted bootloader. The manufacturer promptly announced work on a tool to unlock the bootloader, the use of which will void the warranty and preclude use of DRM content purchased via services such as Google Videos. In a comparison with the original Transformer by the Android Police blog, the Prime was preferred. Two "minor" downsides were quoted: the speakers and the loss of a USB port.

Hasbro lawsuit
On December 22, 2011, toy maker Hasbro filed a lawsuit and injunction against Asus for copyright infringement. Hasbro is requesting that Asus change the name of the Prime, claiming that the name "MeMO 370T" is using its Transformers franchise to sell tablets. Failing the name change, they are requesting that Asus not be allowed to release the Prime, and that they pay punitive damages. In a statement to paidContent Hasbro stated that "Hasbro continues to aggressively protect its brands and products and the specific actions we are taking today against Asus underscores yet again Hasbro’s willingness to pursue companies who misappropriate our intellectual property for their own financial gain." Spokespeople for Asus, however, say that the Prime's rollout will not be affected by the Hasbro lawsuit.

GPS problems
On December 30, 2011, news started to emerge that hardware problems exist in the MeMO 370T with its GPS ability. It was suggested in user forums that the problem is a result of the spun aluminium back panel effectively blocking GPS signals. This was later corroborated by Asus themselves in a response letter discussing the issue. Asus responded by saying "The ASUS MeMO 370T is made from a metallic unibody design, so the material may affect the performance of the GPS when receiving signals from satellites" they went on to say "this product is not a professional GPS device". Most notably, they then proceeded to remove the GPS ability from the official list of MeMO 370T specs on their US website.

2nd generation model
At CES 2012, the manufacturer announced a new version of the MeMO 370T, the TF700T, less than a month after the original product launch. This new model included an upgraded 1,920x1,200-pixel-resolution screen, more than doubling the resolution of the prior model. In response to the GPS problems the TF700T includes a new back-panel design that Asus claims should enhance Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS performance. The front camera will also be boosted from 1.2 megapixel to 2 megapixel.

The TF700T is expected to ship in the second quarter of 2012 with prices at 600 United States for the 32 GB model and $700 for the 64 GB version, $100 more than the current model.