IntellectBeat

A new report from Taiwan claims that Asus may pack fingerprint scanners in its ZenFone 3 series of smartphones that are expected to launch next year. Digitimes, citing Taiwan-based supply chain firms, adds that the third-generation of ZenFone smartphones will be the company's first set of devices featuring fingerprint recognition technology and are slated for May-June 2016 release. Considering that Asus in past launched the ZenFone and ZenFone 2 series in early 2014 and the first-half of 2015 respectively, we can expect the Zenfone 3 devices to launch in H1 2016. The report claims that Asus may adopt fingerprint recognition solutions developed by Taiwan-based Elan Microelectronics and China-based Goodix for its ZenFone 3 series. "As Goodix, Elan, and other Taiwan-based IC design house, such as Egis Technology and FocalTech Systems, have stepped up development of fingerprint recognition sensors, prices for such ICs have been dropping, and may fall to US$5 per IC in 2016,...

Asus unveiled its Zenfone Zoom smartphone at CES 2015 earlier this year. The company showcased the phone at IFA 2015 but did not announce pricing and availability details. The Asus Zenfone Zoom is now ready to hit the shelves in Taiwan this month in mid-December. Considering that the Asus has launched its other Zenfone series smartphones in India, we could expect the company to launch the Zenfone Zoom in the Indian market as well in near future. The highlight of Zenfone Zoom is its camera department. Targeted at photography buffs, it comes with a 13 mega pixel rear camera with f/2.7 to 4.8 aperture, laser auto focus, 10-element lenses with 3X optical zoom, optical image stabilization (OIS) and dual-color Real Tone flash. It is also equipped with PixelMaster features such as Low Light mode, Enhanced Beautification Mode, Manual Mode, Backlight (HDR) mode and Zero shutter lag. The handset also sports a 5 mega pixel front facing camera. Based on chipse...