Android runs on everything! Though, it’s admittedly tougher to run on some things, of which the most common target are PCs. Those of us wanting to experiment in that department have typically found our way to projects like Android x86, which by the way has ICS development builds underway (Yes, I’m one of the experimenters). However, here’s another solution I hadn’t known about until today. It’s so far called “PunkThis” from CUPP Computing. Essentially what we have here is a PCB board attached through either SATA or PCI express. So yeah, stick this thing in your laptop’s hard drive bay and you’ll be running Android. The board is a great improvement over Android x86 in terms of compatibility. Most of the typical phone guts are part of the board, including a 1GHz TI OMAP processor, 512MB of RAM, MicroSD card, and even a WiFi chip. This should pretty much guarantee that any app should run unless its simply too taxing for the allotted processor speed and RAM. As for the rest of what makes a smart phone, the board is able to magically interact with the laptop’s display, keyboard, touch pad, and speakers.

My former laptop had two hard drive bays, but now I only have one. What happens if we can’t give up our hard drive? Perhaps you and I will have to take advantage of the board’s pass-through SATA slot. Or, if you have a PC of the desktop variety, CUPP has a Drive enclosure on the way that you can install in one of your tower’s bays.

While personally I think this is awesome to do for the sake of doing, others may look at the $200 board more rationally and wonder, why? Well, here’s a few reasons.

1. It would make an ideal media center PC.
2. It’s an instant on OS.
3. It’s simpler than a full OS.
4. Running in a netbook you could peak at about 40 hours of battery life.

With all of the Asus Transformer Prime buzzing the internet lately it’s hard to keep up with what’s going on with this device.  Anyhow, if you want to quickly catch up on all of the TP news check out the links to our previous articles below.  In the meantime, if you were one of the few who experienced some funny business after the first and second OTA update and especially if you lost root access, this post is for you.  The folks over at XDA have been hard at work to get you root again and we’ve supplied the instructions below to make it easy for you.  This is completely unsupported so proceed at your own risk.  However, if you’re ready to take control of your device again, give it a go.  Hit the source link for the full thread and feel free to comment below and let us know how well the root method worked for you.  Enjoy.

Previous articles:

• Transformer Prime GPS Performance Actually Worse Off After Software Update? 
• Build 9.4.2.11 Rolling Out To An Asus Transformer Prime Near You 
• ASUS UK Offers An Extension On The Transformer Prime and Says Their New 700 Series Device Is Arriving In June 
• ASUS Nearing Fix For Transformer Prime’s Android 4.0 Update Bug 
• Folks Report That ICS Update for the Transformer Prime Causes Freezes, Lock-Ups and Possibly Bricks Devices?
• WAIT! Transformer Prime Ice Cream Sandwich Update Breaks Root, Here’s How to Prevent That 
• Transformer Prime to Get Ice Cream Sandwich Today!! 
• Got Root? The ASUS Transformer Prime Does Now

Instructions:

You will need to know how to use ADB commands, otherwise, wait for a one click root using this method to be developed.

Downloads:

mempodroid binary
su binary

Root:

adb push mempodroid /data/local
adb push su /data/local
adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/mempodroid
adb shell /data/local/mempodroid 0xd9ec 0xaf47 mount -o remount,rw ” /system
adb shell
/data/local/mempodroid 0xd9ec 0xaf47 sh

You should now be in a remote shell session with root (indicated by #)

cat /data/local/su > /system/xbin/su
chown 0.0 /system/xbin/su
chmod 06755 /system/xbin/su
exit
exit

adb shell rm /data/local/mempodroid
adb shell rm /data/local/su
adb reboot

After your Transformer Prime comes up, install Superuser from android market.

Enjoi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s been a real sad state of affairs hearing all of the negative news surrounding the Transformer Prime lately.  Who would have thought the follow up device would have undergone so many fails in such a short time?  This week it’s being reported by a number of Prime owners that their already lacking GPS functionality has gotten significantly worse since the last update.  Quite a number of members over at XDA have reported that their already weak signal is now no longer present since downloading the second Android 4.0 update.  One of the members even reported leaving their TP on the window sill for over 25 minutes and it still didn’t latch on to a satellite.  Asus went on record stating that the “metallic uni-body design” is responsible for the weak GPS signal in that it ultimately interferes with the signal’s ability to reach the device’s sensors.  The company states that the new TF700 device is supposed to effectively fix the issue however.  Lets hope reports about ASUS charging their customers to fix the issue isn’t true.  Did you fork out for a Prime?  What do you think?  Feel free to rant all you want in the comments below.

Those who experienced some “wacky” behavior after the most recent ICS update for the Transformer Prime, Asus has indeed begun rolling out their new update to make it up to you.  Build 9.4.2.11 should be rolling out to your device shortly and we’d definitely like to hear from you as to how well it’s working.  However, note that if you’re one of the individuals who rooted your device, THIS WILL BREAK ROOT.  Our own Editor, Stacy Bruce can attest to this as the OTA has recently rolled out to his rooted T-Prime.

“I noticed better GPS, less banding in apps and a faster browser”           - Stacy Bruce

He notes that you can use supercurio’s voodoo to restore root access, however.  And while there isn’t an official change log available we can note that the GPS is now showing version 6.9.13 from 6.8.13.  So, if you see anything different, be sure to report it in the comments below or in our forum.  In addition, it appears that the camera has been updated as well.  Stay tuned to the post as we’ll either provide the change log as soon as it’s available or create an entirely new post linking back to this one.  To check for the update on your Prime now, go to:  Settings—>About Tablet—>”System Firmware Update”.  And if you happened to miss our initial unboxing and hands-on of the device, be sure to check it out here.

The Transformer Prime news is still quite a buzz around the interwebs even though there are quite a number of buggy issues still going on with the device.  For instance, we’ve seen a number of issues on several devices regarding WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth connectivity.  However, the newly Tegra 3 empowered monster recently received the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update and for the most part it’s gone smooth.  In addition to the Transformer Prime, CES 2012 revealed the addition of a new 700 series being added to the ASUS lineup.  If you haven’t caught our CES coverage of the device you can check it out here.  The TF700 is actually quite impressive touting a 1920 x 1200 HD display with crisp color and contrast throughout its User Interface.  Asus UK has stated that both devices are in line for decent warranty updates as well.  The original Prime will be receiving a warranty update from 12 to 18 months for those currently in possession of one.  In addition, if you’re not completely happy with the way the GPS performance has been, Asus says they’ll take it back for a full refund with no questions asked.

The 700 series also dubbed the “Prime HD” has a redesigned rear panel that’s said to improve the overall functionality of the WiFi and GPS radios and will go for just around $100 bucks more than the current price of the Prime.  No ultimate release date has been provided by Asus but it looks like it’s geared for a Q2 (possibly June) launch or as Asus likes to put it, “coming soon”.   As for an official US release date, stay tuned as we dig a little deeper on that for you.  For now, check out our hands-on with the 700 series from CES 2012 and get your salivation on.

Tranformer Prime 700 Series Hands-On Video from CES 2012

Click here to view the embedded video.

CES 2012 has been an insane trip down technology lane and Asus has made a great presence here with its most recent lineup.  And joining the Asus Memo 171 is the Asus Memo 370T model, the first 7-inch tab to utilize an IPS display.  The device runs Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 and should launch around May sometime.  It will be available for $250 and offers the new Tegra 3 quad-core CPU.  Check out the quick hands-on video and don’t forget to check out the rest of our CES coverage here if you’ve missed any of it.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It’s a joyous week for folks, as we have voiced our complaints about certain tactics used by big name technology companies and that they listened to the little guy. As you know, Verizon redacted their $2 convenience fee a few days after they announced it. Well Asus is following suit after folks voiced their complaints about a locked bootloader on the Transformer Prime. Today they released their official response to these complaints we told you about yesterday. You can hit the break to read the full press release but here is a bit of it:

“Regarding the bootloader, the reason we chose to lock it is due to content providers’ requirement for DRM client devices to be as secure as possible. ASUS supports Google DRM in order to provide users with a high quality video rental experience. Also, based on our experience, users who choose to root their devices risk breaking the system completely. However, we know there is demand in the modding community to have an unlocked bootloader. Therefore, ASUS is developing an unlock tool for that community. Please do note that if you choose to unlock your device, the ASUS warranty will be void, and Google video rental will also be unavailable because the device will be no longer protected by security mechanism.”

I can understand Asus’ view on having a locked bootloader, but I am certainly glad that Asus is giving us a way to tinker with the device. However, as with rooting any device, unlocking the bootloader voids your warranty and causes you to lose your ability to rent movies via the Google video rental service. I’m guessing that a few devs will rectify this quickly though. But the news doesn’t stop there folks! Asus also took a moment to tell us that Ice Cream Sandwich will be coming to the Prime on January 12th. This will give the Prime bragging rights as the first tablet to run an official version of ICS even with the possibility that the Xoom will be getting it soon and it was supposed to be the first tablet to run ICS as it is a Google Experience device.

So all in all this is good news for folks who have or will be receiving the Transformer Prime here in the near future. You’ll have to let us know what you think of an official release of ICS on a tablet because I know we’re all dying to know. Hopefully this update will address the bugs folks are complaining about as well. We asked you if the bugs the Prime backed was enough to make you change your mind on getting one, and today we will ask you this, is this an exciting enough of an announcement to make you want to run out and buy one?

ASUS Press Release via Facebook

Thank you very much for all of the support you have given to ASUS. Eee Pad Transformer Prime received excellent reviews and great demand when it launched in December 2011. Now, we are continuing to make the Transformer Prime available in the worldwide market, and doing our best to fulfill the incredible demand. ASUS strives to create the best products and provide the best service for our customers, and will be releasing an FOTA update for the Transformer Prime shortly. This update, version 8.8.3.33, will improve the focus of the camera, the fluidity of the touch experience, and the APK capabilities in Android Market.

ASUS has been working hard to make the highly anticipated Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich available on the Transformer Prime, and today, we have good news for you. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich FOTA worldwide update for the Transformer Prime will start from Jan 12th, 2012. Thank you for your patience and support through this process. 

In addition, we would like to address your concerns related to GPS and bootloader on the Transformer Prime.

The ASUS Transformer Prime is made from a metallic unibody design, so the material may affect the performance of the GPS when receiving signals from satellites. Please note that this product is not a professional GPS device, and signal performance can be easily influenced by factors including, but not limited to: weather, buildings, and surrounding environments. Please understand there are limitations when using the GPS function. To avoid inconveniencing users who demand a powerful GPS device, we made the decision to remove it from our specification sheet and marketing communications. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

Regarding the bootloader, the reason we chose to lock it is due to content providers’ requirement for DRM client devices to be as secure as possible. ASUS supports Google DRM in order to provide users with a high quality video rental experience. Also, based on our experience, users who choose to root their devices risk breaking the system completely. However, we know there is demand in the modding community to have an unlocked bootloader. Therefore, ASUS is developing an unlock tool for that community. Please do note that if you choose to unlock your device, the ASUS warranty will be void, and Google video rental will also be unavailable because the device will be no longer protected by security mechanism.

Thank you for all the understanding and support for the ASUS Transformer Prime. Happy New Year!

For those of you that are still waiting for your Transformer Prime to ship you may be a little more reluctant on signing for your package when it arrives. Folks and users who were able to successfully get their hands on this fancy new Tegra 3, quad-core device are starting to report issues pertaining to the device’s GPS. Asus’ official take is for you to turn on WiFi for extra location assistance, however a few folks smell what could be a coverup as Asus pulled previous mention of a GPS feature on the tablet from their official site. While the Prime was updated to fix some bugs, those customer complaints weren’t addressed and there is no telling when they will be. This is interesting news considering the WiFi issues it was rumored to have that also the the supposed reason the tablet was rumored to be delayed.

More bad news for you Prime owning folk who want to tinker and root the device. Those already tinkering, in hopes to customize it, have been thwarted by a locked bootloader. Those dreaming that this would be the an open development device have had their hopes dashed. As of right now it is not known on if Asus will offer some sort of official unlocking tool for those developers. What is known is that developers will be severely limited in modifying the software on the Prime; that is, until some sort of bootstrap or backdoor hack is developed.

The Prime, regardless of the bugs, is still an impressive piece of tech and maybe the release of Ice Cream Sandwich, hinted by Nvidia, will fix these issues when it comes to the Prime. However, we will have to wait and see on that one. For those of you out there that have purchased one or are considering purchasing one, do these bugs or the fact it comes with a locked bootloader change your mind at all?

Well, as expected, the Asus Transformer Prime has been slightly delayed for Italians everywhere per Asus’s official Facebook page .  Sorry folks, you won’t be able to purchase one as a gift for Christmas however, you’ll be able to reel one in as an after New Year’s present.  The Transformer Prime has been delayed until after the holiday season and should be available sometime by the end of January.  The company also has plans to release a 3G version of the monster quad-core tablet in addition to a WiFi version.  One slight morsel of info that should assist in the long drawn out wait is the fact that the company touts the device will hit the market running with Android 4.0 (ICS) on board.  So, as it was once thought that the device was delayed due to WiFi issues, it seems that plans for an OS update was more like it.  But don’t worry for those of you in the U.S of A. as our version of the device is still slated for release during the week of December 19th.  Feel free to drop a word or two in the comments section below.