Asus May Reveal Transformer Prime Mini at CES 2012
Asus may reveal a 7-inch version of its Transformer Prime tablet next week in Las Vegas.
While Asus is currently feeling the wrath of Hasbro over the Transformer name, the PC manufacturer is reportedly set to reveal a smaller version of its latest tablet -- the 10-inch Tegra 3-based Transformer Prime -- during CES 2012. This model will be called the Asus Transformer Prime Mini, and sport a 7-inch screen and a smaller keyboard dock.
The new "Mini" model will reportedly be one of three that Asus will showcase during the Las Vegas convention next week. The lineup will also include the Ice Cream Sandwich-based Asus Padfone which was announced back in May 2011, a 4.3-inch smartphone that can convert into a tablet via a 10.1-inch touchscreen dock.
Also at CES 2012 Asus will reveal a 7-inch version of the Eee Memo Pad. It will reportedly ship with a 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon SoC, 16 GB to 64 GB of internal storage (depending on your wallet), and a 1280 x 800 screen resolution. It will also arrive in both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi/3G flavors.
Whether or not the Transformer Prime Mini will keep its name remains to be seen. Hasbro claimed that it reached out to Asus back in April 2011, requesting that the PC manufacturer not use the Transformer label, citing consumer confusion. Two tablet releases later, Hasbo has finally filed suit in the Los Angeles courts, requesting monetary compensation for damages and a halt of the Transformer term use in current and future Asus products.
"Hasbro continues to aggressively protect its brands and products and the specific actions we are taking today against Asus underscores yet again Hasbro's willingness to pursue companies who misappropriate our intellectual property for their own financial gain," Barbara Finigan, Hasbro's chief legal officer, said in a statement. "The Transformers property is an incredibly popular global brand which enjoys tremendous fan support and interest around the world. The action we have announced today is in the best interests of our company and our shareholders."
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Isn't Asus being sued by Hasbro for the name?
Ah I love the smell of technology news in the morning.
Still, Hasbro should instantly drop the "Customer confusion" thing right now, kid's aren't going to run into K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Big-W or Target and find one of these and somehow confuse it for a red and blue toy that transforms.
Seriously.. Who could possibly confuse it? Unless Hasbro underestimates a child's intelligence for noticing differences in colour and shape (A square/rectangle with a screen vs a figurine they are familiar with).
Oh Noes! Let's hope Mini (Car Company) doesn't sue for infringement as well! Wouldn't want people confusing cars with tablets.
DOH I always get mixed up on my british cars and my taiwanese tablets. when will i ever learn!!!!
Grow up hasbro!
Alright that's it. I want money every time someone says my name on TV.
7" Eee Memo Pad sounds enticing, minus the Android. Price is probably going be around $350...
I'm pretty sure it's not about visually/physically confusing the two.. they just feel that Asus is making more money b/c of the awesome name they used :-P
What about the "transformers" I use to convert the 100v JP power in my house to U.S. standard?
That would be the ultimate netbook... more like a netstickynote...
Maybe they can tempt fate and call the mini version "bumblebee"!
Ok, Let's see, we have Smartphone, we have dumbphones, and now we have Padfones???
how about minimus prime
Hasbro Transformers (plural) = movies, cartoons and toy cars that turn into toy robots.
Asus Transformer (singular) = a tablet that transforms into a netbook.
Where is the infringement?!??!?
WTH? a 7" Eee Pad and they can't even send out the 10.1" I have one on back order since 11-25-11 Asus is pissing me off!
Why would they use Prime for both the regular and mini version? It would make more sense if they used another transformer name. I mean it makes sense for the bigger version to keep the Prime name, because Optimus Prime is the biggest transformer, but the smaller one should be another transformer name.
I actually had the idea for a phone that docks into a dumb screen to create a tablet a long time ago - wish I had pattened it.
But I will definitely be looking out for that 7". I almost bought a Galaxy Tab 8.9 the other day because the size was perfect for me - but with no HDMI out and no Card Reader for added storage, I just couldn't do it. HDMI I could live without, but I want the card slot.
Was anyone else excited when the read the title and thought it would've been about transformer toys?
Was anyone else excited when the read the title and thought it would've been about transformer toys?
No, and anyone that says yes to your question I would say lives in a white padded room.
The phase "Transformer Prime" is a play off of the Transformer named Optimus Prime but does it confuse me with the action figure toys? The answer is hell no. Can you patten the word transformer, no. Can you patten the word Prime, no. But when you put them together "Transformer Prime" then maybe you can! The next question did this play on words hurt Hasbro, no way. I don't think anyone bought the action figure Transformer and took it back because they really wanted the Transformer tablet, come on Hasbro don't be a hasbeen!
Ok so if hasbro wanted to market a tablet or have somebody else use their name it wouldn't cause confusion. Think about it people.
I don't agree with most lawsuits, but asus had this coming to them. Transfomer and (any word) or vise versa would've been fine, but with transformer prime you can see clearly their trying to make a play on using the name. Unless you're just an asus fanboy and think they do no wrong (o I do really like asus, but I'm not a naive little child either).
I'm sorry, but the name "Transformer Prime" is intended to make bank by catching your eye in its similarity to Transformer Optimus Prime. It's just too obvious.