ASUS Eee Pad Transformer arrives with pre-production software

Imagine if you were one of the lucky few able to score the Asus Eee Pad Transformer this week and you turned it on expecting to see Honeycomb, but instead saw Android 2.2. Well this is what happened to xda forum user, mogao.

Magao posted the following message:

I was one of the lucky bunch who got in on the Amazon deal at launch. I paid for overnight shipping, so I was excited to home to play with it.

I plugged in the AC plug to charge it, but it turned on with some Android message. I left it and it eventually turned on. I heard about the firmware update so I checked Status and the Android version was 2.2! Also it mentions “phone” in a lot of popups (e.g. when I am shutting down it asks “Are you sure you want to turn off your phone?”).

It also does not charge while plugged in. How do I get to recovery mode to reinstall Honeycomb?

It is assumed that his transformer has pre-production software on it. He wants to return it, but he might be able to make a nice profit if he sells it to a hacker.

Eee Pad Transformer launches and short supply is almost gone already

Asus created a lot of buzz with its cool Android tablet called the Eee Pad Transformer when the tablet was unveiled a few months back. Asus had previously warned that the tablet would have low supply at launch and that it would be prioritizing the UK for the launch. The launch day was reported to be April 26 a few days ago and that day is here. Asus has the official launch page up on its website with links to all of the sellers that are carrying the Transformer at launch.

If you are looking for the Transformer on launch day, you need to start looking early. Apparently, many of the sellers of the tablet are already out of stock. The good news is that there are 24 different companies offering the tablet with some of them being big names and some being smaller firms. Among the big names are Walmart.com, Target.com, Amazon, buy.com, Fry’s, Newegg, Sears, Staples, and a lot more.

If you find a site with stock let us know in the comments. The transformer is an Android 3.0 tablet that has an optional docking station with a keyboard and extended battery. When docked the keyboard turns the Transformer into a little netbook. With the keyboard attached, the tablet is good for 16 hours of run time and the tablet alone is good for 9.5 hours. The Transformer runs a Tegra 2 processor.

[via Android Community]