T3 India

Computex

ZenBook Pro range transforms trackpad into a second screen

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Continuing its avalanche of product announcements, Asus has now announced the new ZenBook Pro models that aim for professional crowd with its powerful hardware. However, ZenBoook Pro 14 (UX480) and ZenBook Pro 15 (UX580) laptops’ claim to fame is the secondary display called ScreenPad that replaces the ubiquitous trackpad. Sure, the ScreenPad still works like a regular mouse trackpad but the rectangular display can do much more.

For instance, the ScreenPad acts like a second display, which means after activating the correct display mode, we can transfer content from laptop’s main display to ScreenPad. Moreover, there are compatible ScreenPad Apps that allows quick access to some of the user’s favourite apps or access certain features like calendar, calculator from the screen itself. The ScreenPad also shows context-sensitive tools like font options and more when one’s using Microsoft Excel or any other supported app.

As for the hardware, The ZenBook Pro 14 features up to 8th-gen Core processors, up to 16GB of RAM, and support for Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q GPU. The 14-inch ZenBook Pro 14 also features an FHD NanoEdge display, an infrared sensor for Windows Hello.

The ZenBook Pro 15 is clearly the better one with the optional 4K UHD display, 100% Adobe RGB colour gamut with Delta less than 2. Moreover, the 15-inch variant can be fitted with the latest Core i9 processor, GeForce GTX 1050Ti GPU, 1TB PCIe x4 SSD, gigabit-class Wi-Fi and Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Asus will release the ZenBook Pro 15 (UX580) first in the market followed by the ZenBook Pro 14 (UX480).

Asus VivoWatch BP reads out your blood pressure in 15 secs

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Asus revitalised its smartwatch ambitions with the new VivoWatch BP at the Computex this year. The interesting thing about the VivoWatch BP is that it not only tracks the user’s heart rate but is also equipped with ECG and PPG sensors that enables to track blood pressure and give out the readings in about 15 seconds. We tried the watch briefly and while it could monitor the blood pressure quickly, we found the readings were off, which could be most likely due to unfinished software as well as other factors like the missing physical and basic information like age, weight, gender, etc. on the demo smartwatch.

Apart from tracking blood pressure, VivoWatch BP can do what other fitness watches can like track the number of steps, sleep, calories burnt and more. However, the device along with the app brings in something called the HealthAI that will provide users a personalised health advice based on their blood pressure reading and other factors to improve on the health.

Asus has also worked on VivoWatch BP’s battery life, which is one of the biggest pain points for any smartwatch these days. Asus claims VivoWatch BP will work for 28 days on a single charge.

There’s no information if VivoWatch BP will come to India but we hope it does.

Asus ROG Phone targets gamers with faster performance, new cooling system

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More than a decade ago, Asus created Republic of Gamers (ROG) sub-brand to deliver products specifically targeted at gamers but this is the first time, Asus has expanded its ROG branding for its smartphone. Simply known as the ROG Phone, the device is targeted at gamers with its signature ROG style, design and features.

The ROG Phone comes with a speed-binned Snapdragon 845 processor that is clocked at 2.96GHz, making it one of the world’s first phone to feature the fastest Qualcomm chip. Another major reason the phone can reach faster clock speeds is due to the integration of GameCool cooling system that helps to dissipate heat with the help of a carbon cooling pad, copper heat spreader and 3D vapor-chamber cooling. Additionally, the phone also supports a detachable AeroActive Cooler accessory.

The display has also got an upgrade and while it is not as fast as Razer Phone’s 120Hz panel, ROG Phone features one of the fastest 6-inch Full HD AMOLED panels with a refresh rate of 90Hz, 1ms response time and HDR support.

Moreover, the phone comes with dual cameras at the back, 802.11ad Wi-Fi and features AirTriggers (think of shoulder buttons on a controller), improved haptics, 8GB RAM, 4000mAh battery with ROG Hypercharge technology, dual USB Type-C ports and support for bunch of accessories like a dedicated gaming controller in association with GameVice, Asus’ WiGig Dock to stream games wirelessly onto a bigger screen, Mobile Desktop Dock and a TwinView Dock that adds a second display to the phone.

The phone will be available later this year.

Asus announces Strix Scar II, Hero II laptops

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Dropping with the big chunk of ROG-related announcements are the second-generation Hero and Scar gaming notebooks. The Hero II has been created for MOBA titles whereas the Scar II that will be launched in India will cater to FPS gamers.

Nevertheless, the notebooks come with a trapezoid-cut lid that improves thermal efficiency by up to 27 percent along with a super narrow bezel design. The gaming laptops also come with RGB lighting with Aura Sync support, anti-dust cooling system and upgraded 12V fans with more blades.

As far as the hardware is concerned, the laptops will come with up to 8th-gen Core i7 CPU, up to GTX GeForce 1070 GPUs, up to 512GB NVMe SSD or up to 1TB SSHD and up to 32GB of RAM support.