yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] knoxploration:
The news continues to get worse: from the AndroidCentral comments:

"The speaker on the tablet itself is in a stupid place and it isn't especially loud (I could just barely hear it over the sound of my exercise bike, for example), and I haven't tried listening to music with or without the dock yet. It's on the list for today."

So all things considered, it appears that Transformer Prime sound is a major downgrade from the TF101. Not much louder, a worse speaker location, and mono instead of stereo. Hope you're happy now, all you people who whined about the size and weight of the TF101...

---------- Post added at 10:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 AM ----------

Simple common sense says the speaker placement is worse, if you ever watch movies undocked, and aren't left-handed. Try holding *any* current tablet for an hour or two without putting the fingers of your right hand on the back of the tablet below the top half of the screen. At least with the first-gen Transformer, you could sort of cup the tablet in both handsto hold it without covering the speakers. With the Prime, your only options are holding the top of the screen (awkward), holding beneath the center of the screen (even more awkward), left-handed (even more awkward for most of the population, although lefties will be thrilled), or left-handed plus your right hand bracing the side of the tablet but not touching the back (what most people will end up doing so as not to cover the speaker).

The audio of the Prime is a major downgrade being sold by Asus as an upgrade.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] sontin:
You could turn the Prime around so that the speaker is at an upper position. :D

But the Transformer has the same problem. Both speakers are to low.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] adampdx:
It's going to be the 19th, folks.

Very disappointing, and what is Game Stop going to say about all of those early promises?

Android Police: Transformer Prime Official Release Date
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] knoxploration:
Yep, if you don't mind watching a thumbnail-sized movie surrounded by huge black borders. ;-)

With the TF101, at least you could cup the tablet in your hands, with the base pressed into th pad of your palm, and the weight resting on your fingers behind the tablet. (In fact, doing so tended to improve the sound quality as it reflected some sound towards the listener.)

But, yes, the speaker positioning was poor even in the TF101, and simply beggars belief in the TF201. There's loads of space to put front-facing speakers in the black frame around the LCD diplay, where they belong.

Another, even more damning quote from AndroidCentral:

"it's a shame that the first Tegra 3 device to hit the market is lacking in basic audio quality. In other words: Use headphones or external speakers."

SonicMaster indeed. What. A. Joke. :-(
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Magnesus:
They could've at least added additional speaker in the dock (there is probably enough space). I suppose the reason why they didn't could've been that it would require connecting speakers live (you shouldn't do it because of the amplifier) when attaching/detaching the tablet.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] sontin:
Ah, sure. But you can turn around it a second time and then the speaker is at the upper side. :cool:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ravynmagi:
Well this December 19th date kinda sucks. It's the same week as Christmas and there are likely going to be shipping delays because of the heavy volume of holiday shipping.

Also I had Amazon ship this to my work. But I'll be on vacation starting the 21st (staying at home). So I'll need to change the shipping address. I heard that if you change your shipping information this returns you to the back of the queue, meaning it could delay my delivery even further?

Ugh. Kinda sucks Asus is doing this so close to Christmas. They don't celebrate Christmas in Taiwan? :p
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
All these people complaining about speaker placement or not being stereo is silly. Do you actually expect Bose/Harmon Kardon type sound quality out of a mobile device? If the speaker bothers you that much, just don't get the new device then. Go get the dual core tab with stereo speakers front facing if that's all you're concerned about mostly with this new tech. Plus people posting same complaints in multiple threads is useless.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] knoxploration:
Good point! I don't know why, but this has never occurred to me to do with my TF101. So, the speaker location isn't *quite* as bad as it could be, although it's still a surprisingly poor design decision...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] markimar:
I think It's more of a matter that the website states stereo speakers and in reality your only getting one.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] wynand32:
I'm not sure, but it's entirely possible that there are two speakers in the one location. Which means that although the spacing isn't there for the best stereo experience, there could certainly be two speakers and then a stereo effect that's enhanced by software.

We'll have to wait for tear-downs of production units to be sure.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ravynmagi:
I don't think it's silly at all to be disappointed with the speakers. It's clearly a disappointing design compared to many of it's competition. It's certainly not a deal breaker for most people, so we won't go buy something else. But it's still a disappointment and seems nothing was learned from the previous speaker fiasco of the first Transformer. Other than the fix for a stereo speaker balance probably is to have a mono speaker.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BongoBong:
I don't see how even if there is two speakers in that one spot it could get a stereo effect though which would require the appearance of sounds coming from more then one direction.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ravynmagi:
If you flip the TF101 upside down, then you right palm is resting on the power and volume buttons. That isn't really ideal either.

Fortunately the power button has been moved on the Prime, so it's on the bottom now (when held upside down). Using volume controls is a bit more awkward, but it's a serviceable work around.

I really don't know why they didn't use the same button and speaker placement the iPad uses. This is a problem that was solved over two years ago.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] wynand32:
I would have agreed with you (really, I'm just trying to be positive about this aspect of the Prime) except then I saw the picture in another thread showing the iPad 2 has two speakers in the same place as well. Now, the iPad 2 is not known for good sound, but then again perhaps ASUS is performing some magic with their SonicMaster tech.

I'm just anxious to get it in my hands. If it's at least as loud as the OG Transformer I'll be okay with it. I mostly listen with headphones anyways because I'm rarely in a room by myself where listening through the speakers makes much sense.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] emil10001:
Regarding the release date (the actual topic of this thread), I'm seeing several reports stating that the Prime will be available from online retailers on Dec. 12, and Dec. 19 for brick-and-mortar shops. Perhaps those of us who pre-ordered will be getting ours a week sooner?

http ://www.theverge.com/2011/12/1/2602224/asus-transformer-prime-us-release-date-official-dec-12-online-dec-19

http ://www.mobileburn.com/17744/news/asus-transformer-prime-hits-online-shelves-december-12-retail-stores-on-december-19

Also, can we move the discussion of the stereo vs mono speakers to another thread? I think it's a worthy discussion, but it is off-topic here.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] knoxploration:
Nothing software does can provide a meaningful stereo effect from two speakers placed under the same small speaker grille and facing away from the user.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bimboy:
You empirically stated that it was worse than the TF101, and now you are saying it is a simplistic deduction based on a review? How large of a leap is that? For me, that's a rather large leap.

Being a righty makes the speaker placement a moot point for me. I hold my tablets with my left hand, and swipe with my right.

I'll bow out of this discussion, as I think it's rather foolish. To be honest, as long as it is loud, I'm good, which we are hearing from most reviews that it is. They made the tablet thinner, and I don't think that any speaker that is limited to less than 1/4" in depth is going to have outstanding fidelity. Laptop speakers usually have a good bit more room than that, and none of them sound great, so I simply want volume out of them too. If I want decent aural representation, I'll plug in my shures or sennheisers to the TF201.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] knoxploration:
If you believe it is a large leap, you obviously haven't got much experience handling tablets. If you did, you'd be well aware what the normal handholding positions are when using one, and that this speaker is placed pretty much ideally to ensure that it is blocked as often as possible. Asus really couldn't have chosen a much worse location, even if that had been their primary design goal.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] cotr:
meh, just wait for it like everyone else.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ravynmagi:
Argh, my Amazon order went from the vague "after December 25th", which I assumed was just a place holder, to now a specific "January 6th".

*sigh* I'm going to have to try Best Buy or GameStop now.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bimboy:
Kindle > iPad1 (sold) > Nook Color > Xoom (sold).

I have lots of experience. I hold them with my left hand. On my nook color, when watching movies, on the rare occasion I am actually holding it and not using headphones while watching, I actually want the speaker under my hand, so I can cup the speaker and direct more sound towards me.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] mapas01:
Totally agree. I've never had a tablet but that's what I picture myself doing as well
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] cotr:
hey, Ravynmagi

this thread is for you: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1371677

---------- Post added at 03:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:22 PM ----------

hey, Knoxploration

I totally agree with you. I mean, Asus, come on!!!Have you never built a device before? What a bunch of morans. I know have to hold the tablet on the opposing side like a damn farmer. Ugh, i dont care if the screen and device look the same while holding it the opposite way.

Asus, get your head out of your ass!

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1371677
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bimboy:
That's a bummer. I just checked my Amazon order, and it still has the "after December 25, 2011.".
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
Lmfao..that was a good one.

Rayynmagi, I see your point in your response to my post. I'm just hoping this sonic master tech will negate, for the most part, speaker placement or it being stereo or not.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] knoxploration:
Funny how product reviewers who've actually held the device all disagree with you.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ravynmagi:
While your little sarcastic thread you made is cute. It's not at all what my expectations were.

I think we all knew the release date was some unknown day in December. And while 19th is a bit later than the rumored dates and mildly disappointing it's so close to Christmas, that isn't terribly unexpected.

I pre-ordered on Amazon on November 22nd like a lot. I had assumed that since I got my order in before they closed the pre-orders that I was in queue for the first batch.

Clearly my expectations were false. And I'm disappointed that my Amazon order will not ship for almost 3 weeks after the product launches.

I'm definitely disappointed it may be more than a month before I can get my hands on this tablet. But I am not blaming ASUS, because they are delivering it in December like they said all along. And I guess I can't blame Amazon because the tablet is too popular they can't keep up.

I'm just frustrated with the situation. It's the Internet, so I'll vent it to complete strangers such as yourself. :)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] ModestMuse23:
Hmmm.... My amazon order hasn't changed, still says "After December 25th". I'm still praying that this is a placeholder and I'll get it with the first pre-order shipments.

It's just a horrible waiting game for now. Really wish ASUS US could provide more insight. Every release date has some ambiguity to it. "Available Dec 19" does that mean available in store, and all the preorder will already be delivered?1?!? Noone seems to have a firm answer...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] cotr:
I am in the same situation. I think these posts about the date are just worthless. We all have to just wait. simple. I was hoping for Dec 9th myself, but since I wasnt given a date to begin with, its just a little longer.

Whats funny are the posts (like the one above) that seem to imply that Jan 6 IS NOT "after dec 25"
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bimboy:
They disagree with how I hold my tablet, and watch movies, and that it's not even the slightest bit of a deal for me? That's nice of them. :rolleyes:

I wish people would stop making blanket statements about how they picture using something is how everybody has to use it. That's ignorant.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ravynmagi:
The "after December 25th" was an place holder when no ship date is present. I have other pending Amazon orders that all say that right now. But I expect they'll be shipping before December 25th.

I just became concerned because that apparent place holder has in the last couple hours been replaced with a specific date of January 6th. This coming on the day we get the official launch date. So I'm guessing January 6th is now accurate for my Amazon order.

It is what it is. I know. I'll just leave the order be, because Amazon won't charge me until it ships anyway. In the meantime I might just try picking it up at Best Buy instead.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] HuskerWebhead:
Not necessarily. Mine changed to the Jan. 6th date prior to the announcement. So who know's where that's coming from.

So, I'm in the "Sit down, shut up, and wait" mode. There's nothing else I can do about it anyways. If it is released earlier and I really need it that badly, I'll hit a few stores locally and see if I can snag one on release day.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ravynmagi:
Well hopefully it's incorrect then.

I'll try to be patient. But really if we were all patient and calm, this place would be boring as hell. :p
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] emil10001:
For me, the date is important. I'm travelling back home for the holidays and I'll be gone for about 10 days. If I can have it in my hands before I get on the plane, great, otherwise I'll need to have it shipped to where I will be.

The other thing this impacts is when my TF101 goes up on eBay, and how long I'll be without a tablet for.

I'm not going to change my Amazon pre-order, but if it gets pushed back any further than the 19th, that'll be trouble for me. Even then, it's really cutting it close with possible Christmas related shipping delays.

I did post a couple of pages back about several sources listing the online date as the 12th, and the brick-and-mortar date as the 19th. The sites saying the 19th don't specify, and the quote that I had read from Asus that only said the 19th was along the lines of, 'taking into account the pre-orders, we think we can get this into stores by the 19th.' (To be clear, I'm paraphrasing.) To me, this means that it is possible that units will be sent to online retailers to cover the existing pre-orders, and the next batch of units will be going to the stores.

EDIT: Two sources saying 12th for online and 19th for in-store:

http ://www.theverge.com/2011/12/1/2602224/asus-transformer-prime-us-release-date-official-dec-12-online-dec-19

http ://www.mobileburn.com/17744/news/asus-transformer-prime-hits-online-shelves-december-12-retail-stores-on-december-19
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] seed2:
So does anyone have a confirmed release date directly from Asus :confused:, and not from sources of sources. Cause still checking on bestbuy.ca and it still says 5th of December which is probably wrong but one can hope cant he? I really need the tablet before the 16th as im leaving the country for the holidays. and Ya i didn't preorder, planing to buy it in store the day of release.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] ModestMuse23:
For some reason that I don't understand at all ASUS has made no comments themselves. All we have are "ASUS said this:" but it appears ASUS said different things to different people. It's maddening. Just tell us when the 1st preorder shipment will arrive. All we get is "it might be available in stores the 19th". But that's it, no word on when preorders are going out, nothing, and even THAT isn't straight from ASUS.

ASUS: Awesome Hardware, Horrible PR
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] joepic:
Good news for preorders before today!

From netbooknews-com in Taiwan:

"Update: Looks like ASUS US made a few changes with out telling HQ and full retail availability has been moved to the 19-20th. However, it was done for an interesting reason and the date change doesn’t actually mean that you won’t be getting your ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime before the 19th.

According to a Transformer Prime Product Manager ” We’ve had 50% more preorders than expected so those who preordered before today will be getting their ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime before the 19th, [as the preorders] alone make up the entire initial shipment.”"
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] adiliyo:
one can only hope that means preorders will ship on the 8th or 9th...

my amazon order never showed the jan date, just the after 25th plaeholder and the we don't have an ETA right now message.

i emailed amazon last night and they just said they don't know the release date and will email me when they have an ETA for shipping... :\
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] joepic:
I have a 64GB Prime tablet (Amethyst Gray) on order (11/22/11) from Amazon and the keyboard on order from Best Buy (11/23/11). I couldn't find the keyboard at Amazon when I placed my tablet order so I went with Best Buy the next day. I have NOT changed anything in either order so my shipping date should be good.:)

So here is hoping that all of the preorders before 12/1/11 arrive before the 19th!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
Now, what I am really interested in is what do they mean by 'so those who preordered before today will be getting their ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime before the 19th'?

Do the shops report to Asus how many pre-orders they have? For example I ordered from B&H and I doubt they told Asus how many pre-orders they have, since they are a non-chain store to begin with, albeit a New York one.

Or is this whole 'preorders covered before 19th' about the large chains only, and B&H orders will be shipped after retail?

I won't change my pre-order one way or another, since I haven't found an alternative that ships internationally anyway, but I'm just wondering.

---------- Post added at 10:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:35 PM ----------

I asked B&H about the pre-orders being reported to Asus and my concern about whether this would arrive by Christmas and this is their response:

"Graham N: they are reported to Asus and will be shipped on time you can choose a shorter shipping time to have it before the 25th of December but that will cost more"

So yes, it seems B&H has reported the pre-orders to Asus and theoretically will be covered by the time Asus brings in stock.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] skeptikal:
Adorama recently started taking preorders. Their site lists a ship date of on or around the 15th of December. I preordered mine there. They were the last place to allow me to not pay sales tax. Only NJ and NY have to there.

http://www.adorama.com/ASTF201B1CG.html
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Vaanhoot:
I preordered mine in hopes that it would be released soon. I am moving to work overseas starting my new job after the new year break. Hope I can get my hands on mine before I leave on Dec 27...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] richB7:
Interesting. I'm still in the after Dec 25th time frame. I did order mine before the pre-order was officially up though; found the order page open at 4:30AM on the morning of the 22nd and it took my order so I should be close to the front of the queue. I do know the order page was up and down for several days prior to the 22nd and I think some people got orders in even then.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] skeptikal:
I just called Adorama and the CS rep said they should be getting both items on my order, the dock and tablet, on the 20th of December. She didn't act like there was any doubt so maybe Adorama is not the best place for a preorder if they are on retail shelves a day earlier than they supposedly get them.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] EndUser2012:
Easy consensus here is the transformer prime cannot ship fast enough to satisfy those of us chomping at the bit to get it. I had a pre-order through newegg I canceled as I decided to go for the 64GB one instead... but I had to goto tiger direct to get that in as I found no other retailer links that worked for the 64GB =\

Did anyone else have a difficult time choosing the color? ... I went for the Gray

Though I do have a bone with how tiger-direct charges you the money before they actually ship your order... that is annoying
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] seed2:
Why cant asus just tell us the official release date! Like Im on the edge, and if its not coming out before the 16th im just going to get a nexus for Christmas and wait for a better tablet.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] swampass2:
I'm one of those people. Got an order in at Amazon on November 18 at 3:45PM Eastern Time US. I also saw the "after Dec 25th" message until I changed my order to one-day shipping (which wasn't an option when I initially placed the order). Delivery estimate immediately changed to January 5 when I did that. Hopefully the rumors aren't true re: changing shipping speed moves you back in line. I'd certainly think I'd be in the 1st batch. Just sent an email to Amazon.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] e-motion:
Yeah, exactly. 1st it was to be released in November. Then it became very beginning of December, then they announced officially December 8th, then a few hours later, December 12th online, December 19th B&M. Then it became, another few hours later, December 19th for everyone.

I guess I'll be lucky if I get it before Christmas. I can say this though : if not, I am cancelling everything and hanging on to my original Transformer until something better comes along. For me it's a luxury to get the new model, not a necessity.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] markimar:
Same boat here just a luxury purchase for me. Now I'm questioning my pre order. Kind of defeats the point of overnight shipping when you have to wait another 3 weeks for it to come out.I just pray that the choppy display on web pages is gone! It's so frigging annoying. ICS better bring some major improvements in the UI or this prime to me will be a flop.laggy typing in browser and checkerboard display is my main reason for upgrading besides the 5 cores.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Swiftks:
Check it, Double Deck it!!! :P

BGR claiming Dec. 12th

www.bgr.com/2011/12/01/quad-core-transformer-prime-tablet-launches-december-12th-starts-at-500/
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Smyc151:
Yeah, but all these have been speculative. Asus has never given any date. All these dates have been unconfirmed sources, even though various "news" sites have claimed legitimacy.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] CandyNJ66:
I ordered from Amazon on November 22 with Next day shipping and never changed it. I pray this means as one of the first to pre-order, I will be among one of those, who get it before the 19th.

Fingers crossed.