ASUS announces plans to begin manufacturing smartphones in India with Foxconn

ASUS has announced that it will start manufacturing smartphones in India in collaboration with Foxconn, to support India's 'Make in India' campaign. The devices will be manufactured in Foxconn's plant in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh.

The first phone to be manufactured will be the recently launched Zenfone 2 Laser, which will soon be followed by the Zenfone Go. ASUS aims to produce 150,000 smartphones in India per month by the end of the current financial year, which will account for almost 80% of the sales in India.

“India offers us a huge opportunity as smartphone penetration is just 10%. We are excited to announce our local manufacturing facility that will cater to the growing demands of the market”, said Peter Chang, Regional Head - South Asia & Country Manager – System Business Group - ASUS India. “The Indian government’s focus on ‘Make in India’ has opened a plethora of opportunities for international companies. It is an opportune time to make the announcement as it will enable us to bring our cutting edge products to consumers who are looking for features and design sensibilities of a high-end smartphone at an economic price.”

Chang further added, “We are aggressively targeting the Indian market. We aim to achieve 5% market share in the country by next year and empower all our customers with luxury.”

Asus considering acquisition of struggling HTC

Just days after HTC's stock tanked following the company's revised outlook for Q2 2015, Reuters is reporting that Asus is considering purchasing the struggling Taiwanese company.

"Our chairman has chatted about the topic internally," said Asustek's Chief Financial Officer David Chang. "Still, the chances of an actual takeover are not big as Asustek is a company that has depended on organic growth."

As you might already know, HTC's latest One M9 flagship Android smartphone has failed to impress the customers - last month, there were reports that the company is cutting component orders for the device by 30%. In damage control mode, HTC has now promised to out a new "hero product" later this year.

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Asus releases Lollipop update for ZenFone 5

Asus has released the Android Lollipop update for its ZenFone 5 (A500KL) smartphone, which went on sale back in July last year.

After installing the update (click the Source 1 link below to download it), which is 819.44MB in size, you'll be on software version TW_V12.4.5.21. However, the Taiwanese company is advising users to upgrade their devices to software version V11.4.6.94 before installing the Lollipop update.

As for other ZenFones, here's is the Android Lollipop update plan:

Source 1 | Source 2 | Via

The Asus Nexus 7 (2013) tablet has been discontinued

If you're after a Nexus tablet, from this point on you'll need to be OK with the Nexus 9, because that's the only one that's still up for grabs from Google's official hardware store.

The 2013 model of the Nexus 7 made by Asus is no longer available for purchase, as it's been discontinued after a pretty long run - it was announced in July of 2013.

You can probably still find some Nexus 7 (2013) units in stock at other retailers, but if you want one of these you should act fast, because once they're gone there will be no more.

Otherwise, you can pick the Nexus 9 by HTC, and hope that Google will finally release Android 5.1.x for it soon.

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Asus launches ZenFone 2 starting $206 in India

After several teasers, Asus has formally introduced the ZenFone 2 in India with four variants. The new ZenFone 2 variants will be available for pre-order from Flipkart.

Asus has skipped the ZenFone 2 ZE500CL model for now and went ahead with other variants. Basically, there are two variants with 2GB of RAM and two variants with 4GB of RAM

Those variants bearing 2GB of RAM include the ZenFone 2 ZE550ML model with a 5.5” 720p display, quad-core 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z3560 processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB built-in storage, which costs INR 12,999. The second variant brings the same CPU but a 5.5” 1080p HD display and is priced at INR14,999.

ZenFone 2 ZE551ML with 4GB of comes in two variants - one with 32GB built-in storage for INR19,999 and the 64GB built-in storage for INR23,999. Both of those feature a 5.5” 1080p display and the quad-core 2.3GHz Intel Atom Z3580 chipset.

All ZenFone 2 models have some common set of features such as dual-SIM slots with 4G LTE network support. All variants feature a 13MP PixelMaster camera with dual-LED at the back while in the front will be a 5MP camera. These devices will run the Zen UI on top of the Android 5.0 Lollipop and pack 3,000 mAh battery to deliver greater battery life.

Asus reportedly expecting to ship 30 million ZenFone units this year

Asus has revised its smartphone shipment forecast for the ongoing year, with the company now expecting to ship 30 million units of its ZenFone-series smartphones, up from 25 million it was aiming earlier, according to a Digitimes report.

"Shipments of Asustek's new ZenFone 2-series smartphones will reach two million units in May after their launch in March," said sources from the company's upstream supply chain. "The monthly shipments will rise to 2.5-3 million units in June."

While the ZenFone 2, which comes in two variants including the one that has 4GB RAM, is powered by Intel Atom chipset, the report says that the Taiwanese company could use Qualcomm's chips in future ZenFone products.

In addition, it was also revealed that Asus is expecting to ship around 300,000 to 500,000 units of its VivoWatch- and

Flipkart lists Asus Zenfone 2 in India ahead of launch

The Indian online retailer Flipkart created a product listing for the hotly anticipated Asus Zenfone 2 smartphone. A countdown timer on the page reveals that the Android handset will hit the shelves in less than four days, on April 23.

Overly anxious potential buyers can also sign up with their email address to receive a notification when the device becomes available. An extensive promo video on the other hand, showcases the biggest highlights of the Asus Zenfone 2.

Packing an Intel Atom chipset, 5.5” 1080p IPS display, up to 4GB of RAM, 13MP PixelMaster camera, and Android Lollipop, Asus Zenfone 2 is a solid value for money. You can find out all about the device in our detailed review.

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Asus Zenfone 2 arrives in Malaysia on May 9, after all

The Asus Zenfone 2 range is conquering new grounds wekkly and we previously reported that a Malaysian launch is scheduled for April 21. Well, apparently we were a little off, but fret not, as the smartphones are coming.

The final date is May 9 and is as official as it gets, coming straight from the Twitter feed of the company's Malaysian branch. The event will be held in Kuala Lumpur.

That's not all there is to it, though. While typically such events are limited to the specialized press, Asus has chosen a more personal approach this time. Fans of the brand will also be able to attend, but with prior online registration. Also the number is limited to 1,000, so head on to Asus website while there are still seats.

Thanks to Jeng Jeng Jeng for the tip!

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Asus to launch three ZenFone 2 models in India on April 23

Asus has finally started sending out invites for the launch of the ZenFone 2 on April 23. Scheduled launch will happen in the country’s capital - New Delhi, and hopefully all models will be shown. On April 21, the ZenFone 2 will be launched in Malaysia as reported earlier.

The Taiwanese company teases in its invite - World’s First 4GB smartphone. For India, three different models will be introduced but there is no clue on the pricing yet.

The cheapest variant will be the ZenFone 2 ZE500CL with a 5-inch 720p display, 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2560 mobile SoC, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, and 2,500 mAh battery.

A little higher than that is the ZenFone 2 ZE550ML with a 5.5-inch 720p display, 1.8GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3560 SoC, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 13MP camera with dual-LED flash, 5MP front camera, and 3,000 mAh battery.

Finally, the top model - ZenFone 2 ZE551ML - packs a 5.5" 1080p display, a more capable 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 SoC, 4GB RAM and NFC.

AT&T will start selling the Asus Memo Pad 7 LTE on April 10

AT&T has announced plans to sell a new LTE-capable version of the Asus Memo Pad 7. This will become available in AT&T stores as well as through the carrier's website this Friday, on April 10.

The tablet will retail for $74.99 if you sign a new two-year contract. If you use the carrier's Next installment plan, you shell out nothing upfront, then followed by 20 monthly payments of $8.75. If you buy any smartphone through AT&T Next, then you can own the Memo Pad 7 for just $0.99.

If you're not into long-term agreements, AT&T will make the Memo Pad 7 available on prepaid as well. In this case, the price will be $174.99, and you'll be able to buy a tablet this way starting on April 24.

The Memo Pad 7 offered by AT&T comes with an HD IPS+ touchscreen, dual front stereo speakers, a 5 MP rear camera, a 2 MP selfie shooter, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of built-in storage (expandable via microSD).

Running the show is a 1.3 GHz quad-core Intel CPU, and the software version is Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

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Asus to launch ZenFone 2 in Malaysia on April 21

Asus is gearing up for the launch of the new ZenFone 2 smartphone in Asian markets. As promised earlier, the Taiwanese company has started sending out the invites to the Malaysian media for the launch of ZenFone 2. The new smartphone will be launched in three different variants for the Malaysian market.

The ZenFone 2 made a debut at the CES 2015 and has been teasing the budget-minded enthusiasts across the globe. Quite possibly it could be the budget phone you’re looking for and to know more about check out our hands-on review of the ZenFone 2.

The first version available in Malaysia will be ZenFone 2 ZE500CL with a 5-inch 720p display, 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2560 mobile SoC, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, and 2,500 mAh battery.

Next comes the ZenFone 2 ZE550ML with a 5.5-inch 720p display, 1.8GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3560 mobile SoC, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 13MP camera with dual-LED flash, 5MP front camera, and 3,000 mAh battery.

Finally, the top end model ZenFone 2 ZE551ML packs a 5.5" 1080p display, a more capable 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 SoC, 4GB RAM and NFC.

As you might remember Asus India informed us last week that the Zenfone 2 launch will take place in India in the last week of April.

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Asus PadFone S Plus to launch in Malaysia for $302

Asus PadFone is a unique concept of docking the smartphone at the rear of a docking station and turn it into a functional tablet. Asus is almost ready to introduce the the PadFone S Plus in Malaysia on April 8 for $302.

Asus introduced the PadFone S in October last year for $275 for Malaysia but this new PadFone S Plus is a beefed up version. The PadFone S Plus handset features a 5-inch 1080p display, quad-core Snapdragon 801 SoC with 2.3GHz quad-core CPU, 3GB RAM, 64GB storage and a 13MP rear camera capable of 4K video capture.

In the front would be a 2MP 1080p capturing camera with dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, USB Host, microUSB with SlimPort support and Asus web storage of 50 GB. Asus has packed a 2,300 mAh battery inside the PadFone S Plus.

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