It was just last month ASUS introduced the O!Play Air HDP-R3 media streamer. Now, ASUS is teasing CeBIT 2010 goers with the news they’re going to follow up that device with the O!Play HD2, a media streamer that will feature USB 3.0 (aka SuperSpeed USB) and “provides access to a wealth of cloud infotainment.” In other words, the HD2 has evolved from just being a LAN media streamer to a product that can also handle available media content online and, possibly even, pull in relevant data like weather and news feeds. Price, hardware specs, and feature capabilities should be trickling out in the next few months (UPDATE: spec details and show floor video below). [via] MORE »

Good news for folks who had their eye on the original O!Play HDP-R1 released back in the Summer of 2009 (now under $100 on Amazon), but were unsatisfied with the fact that it only offered Ethernet network connectivity. ASUS’ new O!Play Air HDP-R3 now sports built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi and a multi-format memory card reader. Of course, all the goodness that made the original great is still in there — like the USB 2.0/e-SATA port, 1080p video output via HDMI v1.3, and support for nearly every conceivable media format/container including MKV, ISO, VOB, MTS, H.264, VC-1, etc. MSRP on the ASUS O!Play Air HDP-R3 is $139.99 (presently $129.99 at Amazon). MORE »

Windows Home Server and its related products have been a big hit for Windows PC users since its inception in 2007. Now, ASUS is getting in the game and is introducing the TS Mini to the world. This little energy-efficient, powerhouse packs a 1.66Ghz Intel Atom N280 processor, 1-2GB of DDR2 memory, Gigabit Ethernet, 6 x USB 2.0 ports, 2 x eSATA ports, and 2 x internal hard drive bays with one taken up with either a 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB 3.5-inch SATA drive. MORE »

ASUS is getting set to launch a new addition to their EeeBox PC line that will most likely become “the one” to buy. Sure many of us got all giddy back in August when we learned that ASUS was launching a more powerful, 1080p capable EeeBox PC featuring an Intel N330 Atom processor and NVIDIA ION graphics under the EB1012 model number. Now, the company will soon be shipping the EB1501 with essentially the same specs, but featuring a slot loading DVD drive (a much welcome addition) and a refreshed “ballerina-inspired” design suitable for display next to a HDTV or PC monitor. Word is the EeeBox PC EB1501 will be available the same day Windows 7 launches (Oct. 22nd) and start at €399 or about $580 USD (a bit pricey compared to the $379 ASRock). MORE »

ASUS is really taking things up a notch. We just learned about the company’s new Intel Atom N330 + NVIDIA ION mini-ITX board designed to compete with the Zotac IONITX-A-U called the ASUS AT3N7A-1. Well, folks… it appears that ASUS has quietly upgraded their ultra compact EeeBox PC with specs ready to challenge the barebones ASRock ION 330. I’ve got to hand it to ASUS for recognizing and acting on a hot trend. No word on price or availability, but it looks like it should be out sometime by year-end. MORE »

Wow, the ASUS EeeTop is getting a bit more attractive. The guys at Netbook News got a chance to play with the ASUS ET2002 which features a 20-inch (16:9) touch screen, Windows 7 with Voice Control (for weather, currency exchange, music, etc.), Intel’s Atom N330 processor, and the smoking hot HD capable NVIDIA ION graphics chipset. No word on price or availability. But, if the ET2002 comes in at $800 or less for the whole package, ASUS is going to have a winner on their hands. [via]

ASUS has a new product in the pipeline that is set to compete with all the current crop of HD media players and digital media adapters. The ASUS O!Play HDP-R1 [promo] is a compact device that connects directly to your HDTV and is able to playback audio, 1080p video, photo content directly from an external USB drive or eSATA drive — much like the HD media players we’ve been seeing as of late. However, the HDP-R1 has another trick up its sleeve, it can also stream media content from a networked PC or NAS server via Ethernet. No word on pricing or availability for the U.S. at this time, but Engadget Spanish states that it’s currently on sale in Taiwan for around €119, or about $169. MORE »

ASUS showed off their Eee Box B206 PC at CeBIT and boy… it doesn’t get better than this if you’re looking for a budget, small form factor PC intended for HD media playback. The drive-less $440 PC (which can be mounted to the back of a LCD monitor or placed on a stand) features a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB of DDR2 memory, 160GB SATA II drive, ATI Radeon HD 3450 (256 MB RAM) graphics, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, 802.11n Wi-Fi, HDMI out, and few other goodies. The PC is installed with Windows XP, but can easily be replaced by your favorite Linux OS of choice via USB install. The B206 is also ideal for powering media center front-ends (XBMC, Boxee) or serve as an extender client (for MythTV, Linux MCE, Beyond TV, etc.). Pair the B206 with a Logitech diNovo Mini and you’re good to go. Engadget HD has a full pic gallery to feast your eyes on. Availability: currently being sold in the U.K. — no word yet on U.S. availability.

Attached is a video of ASUS’s 3Doorway touch UI designed for the company’s upcoming 8.9-inch Eee PC T91 (ETA: March) and 10-inch Eee PC T101H (ETA: June) tablet PCs. Overall the application is pretty impressive and distinct from offerings found on the current crop of netbooks. In fact, it’s functionality and design is probably closer to what HP is doing with their TouchSmart PCs. I wouldn’t be surprised if this gets ported to the company’s All-In-One Touchscreen PC at some point. [via]

Who wants a mini, VESA mountable, econo-priced PC that’s capable of outputing HD resolution video and includes an HDMI connection? I thought so. Well, the smart folks at ASUS picked up on what consumers were wishing was included in the original Eee Box unveiled back in June and have beefed up the box to include a HD hardware video decoder, a pre-installed copy of Eee Cinema (the company’s “full-featured media player… with superior format compatibility and extensive media library management options”), a custom media center remote, 802.11n connectivity, Bluetooth (B204 only), and interestingly a built-in power supply battery (B204 only). Quick spec overview: the box comes equipped with an Intel Atom 1.6Ghz processor, 1GB of DDR2 memory, a ATI Radeon HD 3400 series graphics card with 256MB on-board memory, 160GB SATA II hard drive, multi-card reader, Gigabit Ethernet, among other goodies. Price and shipping date: TBD. MORE »