ASUS Fonepad 7 (FE171CG) Quick Review

The Fonepad 7 which was just launched a few days back is an update to the sub-Php6K Fonepad 7 that we reviewed in early 2014. Let’s take a look at what ASUS‘ new 7-inch tablet has in store for us in this quick review.

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The Fonepad 7 is the company’s budget offering in the 7-inch segment. The goal here is to give potential buyers an option to get decent specs without asking for much in return. Its previous model, the FE170CG (HINT: The older is 170, new model is 171) performed well during our sweet time with it. Needless to say we’ve got big expectations for the refreshed FE171CG.

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The upper area is where the 2MP front camera sits comfortably just beside the speaker grille. There’s a thick bezel up top and on the bottom which isn’t all that bad, as it gives room to hold the device in landscape view.

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The company’s proud branding is all that can be seen near the base of the device, while its entire surrounding is emblazoned with a strip of metal chrome which adds character to the tablet. This is a big improvement from the FE170CG that rather has a round-edged back cover with no details except for its textured panel.

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At just 7.9mm, the new Fonepad 7 is thinner than its predecessor which stretches to 10.7mm thick. It definitely looks sleeker and feels better to hold.

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The back cover is a whole panel made of high-quality plastic. It has a very minimal look — no segments, is monochromatic in color, and was opted to have a matte finish that’s smooth to the hands.

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Squeezed altogether at the left side of the back panel are the microUSB port, 3,5mm audio jack, 5-megapixel rear camera, volume rocker, and power/lock button. Just like its previous model, it still has no flash of any kind to accompany its rear camera. But as we’ve pointed out in our previous review, 7-inch tablets aren’t as commonly-used for photos as smartphones.

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The top left side hides a flap that opens to reveal dual-SIM card slots. The Fonepad 7 only accepts micro SIMs so you best get your SIM cards trimmed. We inserted a 3G-capable SIM card and we’ll let you know how it handled data connection on our full review.

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Expansion for memory is at the bottom right of the back cover. It’s a push in/push out kind of system going on here — which may drive other users (like me) paranoid of the microSD card falling off by accident. So far, it’s secured tight and locked in place.

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Overall, the Fonepad 7’s physique definitely gets our approval — it is impressively thin, packs a good heft for the hands, and is way more stylish than the company’s previous model. We will have a more detailed look at the FE170CG and FE171CG’s physique in a side-by-side comparison to show you the changes ASUS made with these siblings during our full review so keep an eye out for that.

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Inside its shell, the same Intel Atom Z2520 dual-core processor present in its predecessor breathes life into this tablet. Do keep in mind that the company’s Hyper-Threading Technology is embedded at the heart of the CPU so it should be more efficient in processing data than other processors. Here are some of the benchmark scores in comparison to the earlier variant:

  • AnTuTu: 17,970 (FE171CG)/15,245 (FE170CG)
  • Quadrant Standard: 6,902 (FE171CG)/6,362 (FE170CG)

Spending some time fiddling on its Android 4.4 KitKat with ZenUI was fairly smooth. So far we only noticed slight hiccups during the time we were switching from app to app, but it was easily tolerable.  It comes pre-loaded with the company’s storage and entertainment apps like WebStorage that offers 5GB worth of space online and PC Link that allows you to mirror your content to a bigger screen.

After everything we’ve seen so far, we’re still impressed with the refreshed version of the Fonepad 7. ASUS stepped up its game big time in terms of design, that’s for sure. As for the performance, navigation looks promising but we’ll be spending a few more days with it to effectively assess the tablet as a whole (display, camera, battery life, 3G connectivity, the whole shebang). Stay tuned!

ASUS Fonepad 7 (FE171CG) specs:
7-inch WSVGA IPS display, 1024×600 @215ppi
1.2Ghz Intel Atom Z2520 dual-core processor w/ Hype-Threading Technology
PowerVR SGX 544MP2 GPU
1GB RAM
8GB internal storage
Expandable up to 64GB via microSD card
5-megapixel rear camera
2-megapixel front camera
Dual-SIM
3G/HSPA+
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0 w/ A2DP
GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS
Dimension: 196 x 110.6 x 7.9 mm
Weight: 280g
3,950mAh battery
Android 4.4 KitKat
Price: Php6,995

The post ASUS Fonepad 7 (FE171CG) Quick Review appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Apple could bring stylus back on its 12.9-inch ‘iPad Pro’

Another report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in KGI securities (who has a good record on inside scoops from Apple) shows that the Cupertino giant is planning to revive the use of a stylus on tablets as an accessory to the rumored “iPad Pro” that should be Apple‘s biggest tablet yet.

Is Apple on its way to releasing a stylus for its 12.9-inch tablet? (Photo: The Verge)

Is Apple on its way to releasing a stylus for its 12.9-inch tablet? (Photo: The Verge)

Kuo states that reviving the functionality of a stylus is just what the 12.9-inch iPad Pro needs for the enterprise and creative users that the tablet is aimed at.

Given that it’s more precise than a person’s fingers, a stylus can be more convenient to use than the combination of keyboard and mouse in some cases. Therefore, we believe Apple’s stylus will improve the user experience of 12.9-inch iPad.

The reported stylus will most likely connect and charge via the company’s Lightning connector and not by wireless means. This, according to Kuo, is the road Apple is taking to keep costs relatively down. These styli could also have a gyroscope accelerometer to support “3D handwriting” so users can write in the air or on other surfaces, although this feature might come later on and not with the first few models of the accessory.

As for the alleged iPad Pro, previous reports suggest it could come with a 12.9-inch display with 2K resolution, a better A8X processor, 2GB RAM, and the company’s signature Touch ID.

{Via 1, 2}

The post Apple could bring stylus back on its 12.9-inch ‘iPad Pro’ appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Apple could bring stylus back on its 12.9-inch ‘iPad Pro’

Another report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in KGI securities (who has a good record on inside scoops from Apple) shows that the Cupertino giant is planning to revive the use of a stylus on tablets as an accessory to the rumored “iPad Pro” that should be Apple‘s biggest tablet yet.

Is Apple on its way to releasing a stylus for its 12.9-inch tablet? (Photo: The Verge)

Is Apple on its way to releasing a stylus for its 12.9-inch tablet? (Photo: The Verge)

Kuo states that reviving the functionality of a stylus is just what the 12.9-inch iPad Pro needs for the enterprise and creative users that the tablet is aimed at.

Given that it’s more precise than a person’s fingers, a stylus can be more convenient to use than the combination of keyboard and mouse in some cases. Therefore, we believe Apple’s stylus will improve the user experience of 12.9-inch iPad.

The reported stylus will most likely connect and charge via the company’s Lightning connector and not by wireless means. This, according to Kuo, is the road Apple is taking to keep costs relatively down. These styli could also have a gyroscope accelerometer to support “3D handwriting” so users can write in the air or on other surfaces, although this feature might come later on and not with the first few models of the accessory.

As for the alleged iPad Pro, previous reports suggest it could come with a 12.9-inch display with 2K resolution, a better A8X processor, 2GB RAM, and the company’s signature Touch ID.

{Via 1, 2}

The post Apple could bring stylus back on its 12.9-inch ‘iPad Pro’ appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Nokia N1 tablet sold out in 4 minutes

The new tablet from Nokia began its pre-order sale in China with 20,000 stocks. After 4 minutes, it was already sold out.

The Nokia brand still has its appeal in the market with its N1 tablet. The pre-orders will be available for shipping by January 28. Just like how Xiaomi does its flash sale here through Lazada, Nokia was able to succeed with a new sale happening on the 15th in China again.

The Nokia N1 is a 7.9″ tablet with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, powered by a 2.3Ghz quad-core Intel Atom 64-bit processor paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB internal storage. It’s also equipped with an 8MP and 5MP camera, and runs Android 5.0 Lollipop with Nokia Z Launcher.

It is currently priced at CNY 1,599 or around PHP 11,577. Local availability of the Nokia slate is still unknown.

Source: FoneArena

The post Nokia N1 tablet sold out in 4 minutes appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Nokia N1 tablet sold out in 4 minutes

The new tablet from Nokia began its pre-order sale in China with 20,000 stocks. After 4 minutes, it was already sold out.

The Nokia brand still has its appeal in the market with its N1 tablet. The pre-orders will be available for shipping by January 28. Just like how Xiaomi does its flash sale here through Lazada, Nokia was able to succeed with a new sale happening on the 15th in China again.

The Nokia N1 is a 7.9″ tablet with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, powered by a 2.3Ghz quad-core Intel Atom 64-bit processor paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB internal storage. It’s also equipped with an 8MP and 5MP camera, and runs Android 5.0 Lollipop with Nokia Z Launcher.

It is currently priced at CNY 1,599 or around PHP 11,577. Local availability of the Nokia slate is still unknown.

Source: FoneArena

The post Nokia N1 tablet sold out in 4 minutes appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.