MWC: Asus strengthens mobile push with Padfone Infinity and Fonepad
Taiwanese PC maker releases two tablets that can make calls
BARCELONA: Asus has unveiled its Padfone Infinity and Fonepad at the 2013 Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade show, marking its latest attempt to break into the mobile market.
The Padfone Infinity is the highest specced tablet and smartphone hybrid released by Asus. Like its predecessors, the Infinity is a standalone smartphone that comes paired with a separate tablet dock.
The phone can be inserted in the rear of the dock to convert it into a fully functioning 10in Android tablet.
Asus chairman, Jonny Shih, claimed the Padfone Infinity's 5in smartphone section, with 441ppi and a 1920x1080 display, outclasses the Retina display screen used on Apple's iPad and iPhone devices.
The tablet and smartphone section's chassis are both built of aerospace aluminium alloy and have brushed metal finishes.
The Padfone will run using a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 1.7GHz processor, backed up by 2GB of RAM and have 64GB of flash storage.
The phone section of the device boasts an impressive 19 hour battery life and a 13MP rear-facing camera and 2MP front-facing camera.
Asus has loaded both the Padfone's cameras with F2.0 lens hoping to improve their low light sensitivity.
The Padfone is set to launch in April for a hefty €999.
Asus unveiled its Fonepad tablet-phone alongside the Padfone. The Fonepad is a 7in tablet that can also work as a fully functioning mobile phone, featuring a microSim as well as microSD card slot.
The device will run using an Intel Atom Z2420 processor and be available in 16GB and 32GB versions. Asus also confirmed the Fonepad will have a 3MP rear facing and 1.2MP front facing camera.
The 16GB version of the Fonepad to arrive in Europe in April costing a modest €219.
Both devices are confirmed to run using Google's Android operating system.
Check back with V3 later for hands ons with the Asus Padfone Infinity and Fonepad.
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