ASUS Fonepad released in Phl

MANILA, Philippines -- ASUS Philippines formally launched in the local market its ASUS Fonepad, a two-in-one device that functions as a tablet and a smartphone.

The two-in-one handheld device has a 3G voice and mobile data for all the features of a smartphone, with the versatility of a 7-inch tablet.

Fonepad comes in Titanium Gray and Champagne Gold. It is powered by the Intel Atom Z2420 processor with full Android compatibility which promises balanced performance and energy efficiency with hardware-accelerated 1080p Full HD video decoding.

ASUS said the Fonepad is designed for people who prefer the convenience of carrying just one device but value both the voice communication features of a smartphone and the entertainment opportunities afforded by a tablet.

The device's 7-inch screen features 10-point multi-touch, and a 1280 x 800 HD resolution.

Built-in 3G with HSPA+ mobile data, ASUS Fonepad is designed to be an always-connected mobile device for web browsing, downloading from Google Play Store including audio and video streaming.

With its full 3G telephony support, Fonepad can also be used for voice calls using the built-in noise-cancelling digital microphone or an optional Bluetooth headset. And with just one mobile data plan to pay for, running costs are pegged to be much lower than those of a separate smartphone and 3G tablet.

Fonepad is available in 8GB and 32GB capacities, and has an SD card slot for up to 32GB of additional storage.

All of Fonepad's models feature a front 1.2-megapixel camera for video chat and an optional rear 3-megapixel autofocus camera with 720p HD video recording.

In addition, the device also uses the ASUS SonicMaster audio technology with MaxxAudio 3 processing by Waves to ensure clear, well-rounded sound quality.

The ASUS Fonepad will be out in local stores during the last week of May with suggested retail prices of P11,995 for the 8GB variant and P14,995 for the 32GB variant.