ASUS and Samsung make the fastest-charging smartphones
Your smartphone’s battery life is no doubt very important to you, but its charging time matters, too — just ask anyone who’s had mere minutes to top up a phone before heading out. So who offers the best recharge rates, then? Tom’s Guide might have an answer. It recently conducted a charging speed test to determine which phones will deliver the most energy when you’re in a rush. In short, you’ll probably want to make a beeline toward either ASUS’ Zenfone 2 or Samsung’s Galaxy S6. The Zenfone 2 is the fastest in short bursts, giving you 32 percent power in just 15 minutes. The Galaxy S6 is faster overall, however, hitting 100 percent after 1 hour and 22 minutes.
Of course, the performance depends on not just a phone’s technology, but the size of the battery. Samsung wins partly because it has a relatively small 2,550mAh pack compared to the 3,000mAh-plus batteries of other phones with speedy refills, such as the Zenfone, G4, Droid Turbo and Nexus 6. While you may be the first to unplug your phone if you have an S6, you may also be the first to plug in again.
One thing’s for certain: if you don’t have quick charging at all, you’ll notice the difference. Both Apple’s iPhone 6 and the OnePlus 2 were well behind the front-runners, taking up to 73 minutes longer to hit peak capacity. That might not be a deal-breaker if you only ever go hunting for a wall outlet at the end of the night, but it’s something to consider if you frequently find yourself running low on juice in mid-day.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, ASUS, LG
Source:
Tom’s Guide
Tags: apple, asus, charging, g4, galaxys6, iphone, lg, mobilepostcross, samsung, smartphone, zenfone2
ASUS makes a Zenfone 2 with a whopping 256GB of storage
Smartphones with more than 128GB of storage are still extremely rare, but they just became a little more accessible… if you live in Brazil, at least. ASUS has unveiled a Delxue Special Edition of the Zenfone 2 that includes a cavernous 256GB of storage. You won’t be hunting for a microSD card any time soon if you pick this up, folks. You’ll also have the choice of carbon fiber- or crystal-like backs instead of the more pedestrian shells of the usual Zenfone 2. This special run arrives in Brazil this September. There’s no mention of it reaching other countries, but here’s hoping that it does — cloud storage and streaming media will only go so far when you want lots of apps and videos at your fingertips.
[Image credit: ASUS Fanaticos]
Filed under:
Cellphones, Mobile, ASUS
Via:
CTimes, Android Police
Source:
ASUS Fanaticos (translated)
Tags: android, asus, brazil, mobilepostcross, smartphone, zenfone, zenfone2, zenfone2deluxespecialedition
ASUS ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition with 256 GB of storage launching in Brazil
True data warriors may not be happy with those 128 GB of internal storage the ASUS ZenFone 2 currently caps out at. If you are struggling to keep all those movies, documents and music, the Taiwanese manufacturer may have something for you!
ASUS has just announced a new version of its ZenFone 2, labeled as the “Deluxe Special Edition”. In essence, this is just another version of their maxed out device. It comes with an Intel Atom Z3580 chipset and 4 GB of RAM, as well as the usual specs that never change between ZenFone 2 iterations. So what makes this unique handset so premium?
Well, the ASUS ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition features a whopping 256 GB of internal storage! And if that isn’t enough, you can add an extra 128 GB via microSD. If that amount of storage isn’t enough for you, you really need help.
The ASUS ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition will be available in two designs. One is light colored with polygon shapes in the back, while the second is more traditional, touting a textured black cover.
We do have bad news, though. This specific device will only be launched in Brazil. No news or comments on wider availability have been disclosed. We assume factors like sales figures and production costs will play big roles in future decisions surrounding availability. It launches in Brazil this September, so be ready if you live there!
How many of you would actually want 256 GB of internal storage? I am an avid cloud and streaming advocate, so I seriously wouldn’t know what to do with so much internal storage. Would you buy this if it came to your market?
Here are the videos you don’t want to miss this week – August 22nd, 2015
Even though the Android world didn’t see a ton of major hardware announcements this week, that doesn’t mean things have been slowing down in the slightest. Amidst Google making Android 6.0 Marshmallow official and Motorola’s next-generation Moto 360 being spotted in the wild multiple times, we’ve still managed to bring you a good amount of video content that you don’t want to miss.
This week we went hands-on and unboxed the new Samsung Galaxy Note 5, in hopes to give you a good look at what the new device offers its users out of the box. We also managed to bring you a OnePlus 2 vs OnePlus One comparison, a number of in-depth reviews and even some insights about what the new Nexus phones might bring to the table.
Without any further ado, let’s take a look at the videos you don’t want to miss this week.
Unboxings and first impressions
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 unboxing & first impressions!
We’ve finally gotten our hands on the brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 5. While we’re finishing up coverage on a few more awesome devices that are in the pipeline, we figured this is a good chance to give you a look at what comes in the Note 5’s box and what we think of the smartphone so far. Take a look at the video above to see what the Note 5 brings to the table.
When flagship killers go head to head
OnePlus 2 vs OnePlus One
Continuing our coverage of the OnePlus 2, we thought it was important to see just how this year’s “flagship killer” compares to last year’s offering. Does the 2 bring enough to the table, or does it fall short of everyone’s high expectations? Check out the video above to see for yourself.
Reviews
ASUS ZenPad S 8.0 review
ASUS has been known to produce some killer hardware at competitive price points, but the company’s newest tablet offering might bring that to a whole new level. Is the ASUS ZenPad S 8.0 the tablet for you? Check out Krystal’s full review for more information.
Elephone P8000 review
Available now for just $170, the Elephone P8000 boasts some impressive specifications and a beautiful design. With that said, just because the device checks all the right boxes doesn’t mean it can necessarily hang with the best of the best. Check out Bailey’s full review for further elaboration.
CuBox TV review
Even though it may be a tad pricey for some, the CuBox TV is a flexible media player that can run both Android and Linux, and excels at running Kodi. But is this device’s great performance worth the big price tag? Don’t miss Gary’s full review!
Lenovo ThinkCentre Chromebox Tiny review
Chrome OS devices are becoming more and more popular in the crowded computer space, and we’re taking a look at one of the more recent offerings from Lenovo. The Lenovo ThinkCentre Chromebox Tiny might be powerful, but can it replace your current laptop or desktop computer? Bailey offers up his thoughts in our full review.
Battle of the personal voice assistants
Siri vs Google Now vs Cortana
Google Now, Siri and Cortana are all very powerful personal voice assistants, but how do they stand out from each other? Do any of these assistants bring anything interesting to the table? Joe finds out in this lengthy comparison.
Android Apps Weekly
Final Fantasy 7, Humble Bundle and Google Play is ready for Marshmallow – you don’t want to miss Joe’s newest episode of Android Apps Weekly!
Speculation on the next Nexus phones
Can the Nexus brand be reborn?
We might end up seeing two Nexus devices this year, and that’s great news. Not only will this give developers and Android fans more options this time around, but the two rumored OEMs might actually bring some positive vibes back to the Nexus program. Check out Mark’s full written piece below, and don’t miss Jayce’s video overview on the subject.
The Asus ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition packs 256GB of internal storage
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The amount of internal storage available in a smartphone tends to be a relatively contentious issue for some, and the absence of a microSD slot can make this even more volatile. This tends to stem from the fact phone manufacturers are only offering flagship devices with 32GB or 64GB variants, with a select few offering 128GB version – well, Asus intends to one-up all of these devices and manufacturers by offering a special version of its Asus ZenFone 2 with 256GB internal storage – yes, you read that right.
The Asus ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition was unveiled in Brazil earlier today and for the most part is the same as the stock ZenFone 2 with 5.5-inch 1080p display, Intel Atom processor, 4GB RAM and 3,000mAh battery. Amusingly enough, if 256GB internal storage isn’t enough for you, a microSD slot is still provided, supporting up to 128GB cards – that’s an unprecedented amount of storage possible in a smartphone, but hey, the option is there. It would appear that the Asus ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition is only going to be available in Brazil for the time being, and no pricing has been confirmed, but we’re hoping that Asus brings this one to other markets in the near future.
What do you think about the Asus ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition with 256GB internal storage? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: AsusFanatics via Phone Arena
The post The Asus ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition packs 256GB of internal storage appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
ASUS teases a new smartphone and ZenWatch 2 in IFA 2015 promo video
IFA 2015 officially begins on September 4th, but that never stops major technology companies from announcing their new products early. Samsung will likely unveil its new Gear S2 smartwatch at the big conference, and Huawei has already begun teasing a new “unique” smartphone that will be unveiled in Berlin as well. Now it’s time for ASUS to join in on the hype train, as the company earlier today announced that it would hold a press event at IFA 2015 on Wednesday, September 2nd.
The latest from ASUS
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So, what will ASUS show off? According to a teaser video posted on the company’s Facebook page, we’re getting a few brief glimpses at what could be unveiled. Alongside what looks to be a couple new computers, there are also a few quick images of what look to be a new smartphone and smartwatch.
As you can see from the first image attached below, the textured button shown in the image looks identical to the buttons ASUS has been including in its most recent smartphones. This is unfortunately the only teaser we’re seeing of a new smartphone, but we’d be surprised if it turned out to be anything else. What the new device might be, we have no clue. If you have any guesses, we’d love to hear them in the comments below.
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Also shown off in the video are a few images of a smartwatch. The images are quite blurry, but it’s easy to see that this is the same ZenWatch 2 that was unveiled at Computex back in June. In fact, these teaser clips are the same clips that were featured in the announcement video for the watch, which you can see for yourself here. The company still hasn’t released any availability details for the new watch, but it looks like we’ll know more once September 2nd rolls around.
So, who’s excited? Have you been waiting to get your hands on a new ZenWatch, or are you holding out for Fossil’s new Android Wear device?
Asus launches the ZenPad S 8.0, $299 for a 2K screen and USB Type-C
The spotlight of Asus’s announcements has been lately centered around its popular ZenFone smartphones. A couple weeks ago, Asus launched a barrage of ZenFone 2 variants at their appropriately named “ZenFestival 2015″ event in New Delhi. But not to undermine its tablet effort, a new ZenPad tablet was also unveiled at the event.
We now know what that means for the U.S. The new tablet will come to us as the ZenPad S 8.0, and it packs a few tricks up it’s sleeve, along with a competitive price tag.
Let’s go over the design first. The back cover is mostly taken up by a metallic finish with “diamond hairline pattern”. In addition, there’s a section on the bottom with soft-touch leathery material, which wraps around the frame. At the price-point, I’m assuming the metallic finish is on top of plastic, surrounded by faux leather.
The screen-to-body ratio is a welcoming 74%. It weighs in at 298 grams (0.66 lbs) and is 6.6mm at its thinnest point. It’s great Asus is focusing on details that other OEM’s overlook on aggressively-priced tablets.
The specs on this guy are also decent. As the name suggests, this is an 8″ tablet. But from the price, you may expect a mediocre resolution. Nope, we have a pixel-packed 2K panel here (1536 x 2048 pixels, to be exact). It is an IPS LCD screen, protected by Gorilla Glass 3.
Here’s a breakdown of the other specs:
- SoC: Intel Atom Z3580 or Z3560, quad-core processor, 64-bit, 6430 PowerVR GPU
- Memory: 2GB or 4GB
- Storage: 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB options (expandable via microSD up to 128GB)
- Cameras: 8MP rear (f/2.0 aperture) and 5MP front
- Audio: Dual front-facing speakers. DTS-HD Premium Sound built in.
- Battery: 15.2Wh capacity (rated at 8 hrs)
- OS: Zen UI on top of Android 5.0 Lollipop
Oh, and one other thing that puts more bang in that buck, the ZenPad S 8.0 sports the latest USB Type-C port standard. Kudos to Asus for making this a priority.
Another omission on other tablets is stylus support. Not so here. Dubbed the “Z Stylus”, Asus claims you will have a natural writing/drawing experience.
The ZenPad S 8.0 is now purchase-able via common online outlets, such as Amazon
Are you going to be picking Asus’s new tablet? Do you agree that it’s a great value?
The post Asus launches the ZenPad S 8.0, $299 for a 2K screen and USB Type-C appeared first on AndroidGuys.
The 17 best laptops you can buy today
Our last buyer’s guide update had a pretty solid list of laptops, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? We do have a couple of new additions to spice things up, however. We felt compelled to add the agile ASUS Chromebook Flip, which serves up a 360-degree rotatable touchscreen and killer battery life. For PC gaming, MSI’s power-packed GT80 Titan is definitely worth a look. It offers top-of-the-range graphics and processing options, along with a large display and full mechanical keyboard. There are plenty of great choices out there right now, so if you’re in the market for a laptop or thinking of an upgrade, it’s worth taking a spin through the gallery below. Feel free to swing by our complete buyer’s guide, too, for a rundown on some of the best gadgets across the board.
Slideshow-313013
Filed under:
Laptops, Apple, Samsung, ASUS, Google, HP, Dell, Acer, Lenovo
Tags: acer, apple, asus, buyers guide, buyersguide, dell, engadget buyers guide, engadgetbuyersguide, google, hp, lenovo, samsung
ASUS launches an updated variant of the ZenPad S 8.0
Earlier today, ASUS quietly launched a new variant of the ZenPad S 8.0 (Z580CA). This latest version is almost identical to the original. However, there are two alterations, which are both memory-related; the first being an increased amount of internal storage up to 64GB, and the other an extra two gigabytes of RAM, bumping the total up to 4GB.
All other internals remain the same, the ZenPad S 8.0 continues to pack an 8-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels, a 2.3GHZ Intel Atom Z3580 64-bit quad-core processor, a PowerVR G6430 GPU, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 2-megapixel selfie shooter, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and a 15.2Wh non-removable Li-Po battery.
This rather impressive variant of ASUS’ latest tablet will set you back $299, which is a $100 more than the less powerful model (Z580C). Still, it’s a pretty good price to pay for a slate that can compete with some of the very best devices currently on the market, and will continue to see you through the next couple of years with ease.
The full press release can be seen below:
Fremont, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2015) – ASUS today announces the new flagship ZenPad S 8.0 Z580CA tablet that combines stunning form with outstanding function into a portable device perfect for work and play. The new ZenPad S 8.0 Z580CA, inspired by the spirit of Zen, redefines the tablet experience with premium materials and classy styling that fits your personal sense of fashion and professionalism.
There’s nothing else like the ASUS ZenPad S 8.0 Z580CA, which fuses a clean design with unmatched performance. Clean lines with a metallic finish, hairline pattern, diamond cut edges and a soft-touch leather-pattern material defines the look and feel of the ZenPad S 8.0 Z580CA for unique style with a touch of luxury.
A gorgeous 7.9-inch 2K QXGA (1536×2048) IPS display with wide viewing angles and an incredible 324ppi pixel density delivers a beautifully detailed viewing experience whether you’re watching videos, viewing images, playing games or being productive. ASUS True2Life+ technology brings advanced image-processing technology to create dynamic life-like HDR images and video from any source. Tru2Life+ technology analyzes each pixel in an image before it’s displayed and performs intelligent contrast and sharpness adjustments to boost dynamic range, revealing even the smallest details to ensure an incredibly realistic viewing experience.
ASUS TruVivid improves screen clarity, brightness, and touch responsiveness by transforming the conventional four-layer display design — composed of cover glass, a touch panel, air gap, and LCD module — into a two-layer, fully-laminated design that eliminates the air gap, resulting in higher optical transparency for brilliant color and improved brightness.
Complementing the stunning display is DTS Premium Sound™ technology for incredible audio. DTS-HD technology provides high-fidelity sound from all types of multimedia content, and lets users play back or stream movies and music with up to 5.1 virtual channels of DTS surround sound to a connected audio system. The ZenPad S 8.0 Z580CA also includes DTS Sound Studio™ to transform stereo audio into virtual surround sound that’s enjoyable through the ZenPad S 8.0 Z580CA speakers or using headphones for immersive entertainment experiences at home or on the go.
Powering the ZenPad S 8.0 Z580CA is a 64-bit quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 with PowerVR G6430 graphics for superior system responsiveness and 3D gaming capabilities, 4GB for blazing-fast multi-tasking performance – a first for a tablet, and 64GB of internal storage for unrivaled work and play capabilities.
A new USB Type-C connector enables users to plug-in cables into the tablet in any direction. The reversible connector makes connecting the charging cable in the dark a breeze – there’s simply no wrong way to plug it in. Users can also use the USB Type-C port with an optional USB Type-C to USB Type-A (USB 2.0) adapter to connect USB devices such as Ethernet adapters, keyboards, mice and audio devices to the ZenPad S 8.0 Z580CA.
An optional ASUS Z Stylus transforms the ZenPad S 8.0 Z580CA into the perfect device for creative expression. The Z Stylus provides a natural writing and drawing experience that is as easy as using a pen thanks to pinpoint accuracy and sensitive multi-touch technology. It’s also perfectly suited for creative tasks such as sketching, painting, and design work with support of up to 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity and up to a 1.2mm writing tip.
Come comment on this article: ASUS launches an updated variant of the ZenPad S 8.0
ASUS ZenFone 2 update patches Stagefright vulnerability, adds many improvements
Every manufacturer is working on sending out patches for the Stagefright vulnerability, but so far everything we have seen is very much focused on that specific issue. ASUS is not wasting time as they release the patch update for the ZenFone 2, along with plenty of other improvements.
The latest update takes the software to version 2.20.40.59_20150807. Aside from adding the Stagefright patch, ASUS introduces a bevy of new features with this update. Here are some of them.
New features
- Add Hands up
- As phone is ringing, hold phone in portrait mode and lift to touch the ear to answer the phone.
- Added Mobile Manager app which has six major functions:
- Data usage: Controls the apps’ data usage
- Notifications: Manages annoying notifications
- Auto-start Manager: Manages auto-start apps running in the background
- Boost: Boosts memory
- Power Saver: Provides various battery modes to extend the battery life
- Virus Scanner: Scans virus and malwares
- Add Flip cover function
- Add new Clock theme
- Add VIP icon in Clock view for SMS/email/missed call
- Add timer reminder
- Add charging reminder
- Add Cover View function
- New clock theme
- Allows detail checking of everyday events in Calendar view
- Supports Spotify on Music app
In addition, the manufacturer has included a very long list of bug fixes and optimizations. These include improvements to the UI, launcher, WiFi, camera, and many other elements. You can always refer to ASUS’ official release note to catch all the details.
The update is available to ZenFone users now, so go ahead and check your settings if a notification hasn’t graced your screen yet. Have any of you gotten this update yet? How is it treating you?
AIVAnet 