Acer had a big press conference today, and several of their newly-announced products are sure to make mobile phone lovers, especially those of us that dig Android, extremely excited. First up, Acer announced a duo of tablets running Google's OS. The flagship model will come in a 10.1-inch size and will sport a dual-core 1GHz processor, 1280x800 resolution, 5 megapixel rear camera, "HD" front-facing camera, Flash 10.1 support, and HDMI output. There's also a 7-inch tablet coming that packs the same 1280x800 resolution, a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm chip, Flash 10.1 support, and what looks to be Android 2.2. No word on how much either device will cost, but Acer says they'll both launch in April of next year.
Next up we have a device that Acer is referring to as "100 percent smartphone. 100 percent tablet." The 4.8-inch smartphone is packing a "full metal body," 1024x480 resolution, and a size that makes it a hair smaller than Dell's 5-inch Streak. Other specs include a 1GHz Snapdragon core, 8 megapixel rear camera with LED flash and 720p video capture, a 2 megapixel camera around front, HSDPA, 802.11n, and LED edge lighting. Like the tablets, there's been no price announced, but you can expect this monster to arrive in April 2011. Check out the press release below.
Acer is definitely packing heat with these three new devices, especially that 4.8-inch smartphone. I just hope that the handset is running an up-to-date version of Android, and that whatever skin is running on top of the OS is decent. There wasn't anything specific mentioned about a U.S. launch for either the tablets or phone, so let's hope that Acer is getting something lined up so we can all enjoy these hot new devices.
UPDATE: It looks like the 4.8-inch smartphone may find a home in AT&T when it launches next year. PCMag references a statement from Aymar de Lencquesaing, Acer's head of mobile-phone products, who said earlier this year that in 2011, the company would like to do business with AT&T. A tweet from Ross Rubin confirms that Acer is pursuing carrier distribution in the U.S., although no specific carrier was mentioned. First the Motorola Olympus and now this 4.8-inch Acer beast? It looks like AT&T may be upping its Android game significantly next year.
Live and interact in total mobility
Tablets according to Acer
New York, November 23rd 2010 - Acer enters the tablet arena with a very clear objective in mind: complete its range of products in support of its goal to simplify content consumption – a strategy which began with the development of Acer's multimedia sharing system, Clear.fi.
Acer's strategy is based on the concept of sharing multimedia content and enjoying it across any device, and Tablets are ideal devices for this purpose.
With close to 19 million tablets sold worldwide in 2010, 54.8 million units expected to be sold in 2011, and 208 million units forecasted for 2014, the market seems to confirm this idea.
Mobility, which has always been part of Acer's DNA, finds a new form of expression in the range of tablets on offer, which feature various display sizes and models designed to fit different kinds of usage scenarios.
Weight and display size have a huge impact on the user experience. While devices with bigger screens are used to share and enjoy content, smaller devices are often used to create content - taking photos, recording videos or sending messages.
A 10.1" Android tablet for a superb mobile and home entertainment experience
Sleek, smart and full of innovative features, the 10.1" full capacitive touch screen tablet with Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity ensures an optimal on-screen experience from every angle. Aluminum casing provides a cool look and feel, while its high gloss finish decorated with engraved patterns creates a subtle sophistication. And despite being just 13.3mm thick, it's powerful enough to guarantee fun and productivity whether you need it .
Designed for HD entertainment, this tablet comes with a high resolution, high color contrast display, allowing you to play or share HD video with your friends wherever you are. Complete with a built-in HDMI port and 1080p capability, you can also use it to enjoy multimedia content in Full HD on your big screen TV.
But the best of all is that on this tablet you will be able to run and play premium HD arcade games and complex online 3D games, thanks to the 10 point multitouch and gyro meter control, that guarantees an entertainment experience on par with the best game consoles.
Available April 2011
7" Android Tablet: the epitome of mobility
Don't be fooled by its ultra-compact size: the 7" tablet is fully featured and takes your mobile experience to the next level. On the 7" (1280x800) 16:10 aspect ratio full touch screen, you can enjoy games, photos, videos while keeping up with your emails or your favourite social networks. Video chat or record a video with the front-facing HD camera. With HDMI support, hooking it up for a big screen video experience is easyier than ever!
The 7" inch tablet will feature a dual core processor with Adobe Flash Player 10.1 support for the fastest HD Web experience and multimedia playback anywhere. And for a truly amazing sound experience, it will come with Dolby Mobile Technology. Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity allow fast and easy connection to available networks, while DLNA support makes sharing your multimedia on other devices easier than ever.
Available April 2011
Acer next generation smartphone
100% Smartphone, 100% Tablet:
New York, November 23rd 2010 - The new Acer smartphone with the soul of a tablet perfectly combines the capabilities of a smartphone with a tablet-like format: a huge 4.8" widescreen with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a super cool chassis.
Its revolutionary design , characterized by a stretched out, thin and slightly curved shape, makes it a fascinating device that will not go unnoticed. Its full metal body, enriched by subtle wavy patterns, conveys a sense of timeless elegance. What's more, it offers a perfect fit in your hand thanks to its smoothly curved back and minimal width (64mm).
The front is entirely dominated by the extraordinary, multi-touch, high resolution 4.8" screen, with 4 keys: Home, Search, Back, and Menu. While on the back there is an 8MP camera, complete with LED Flash.
This truly innovative device is perfect for fashion addicts or tech savvy people looking for the latest and cutting edge technology available ensuring superior browsing and excellent multimedia entertainment.
This latest Android smartphone is extremely powerful, guaranteeing long-lasting fun. It will also be able to wirelessly control all the multimedia content of your home environment, thanks to the integrated clear.fi media sharing system.
IDEAL FOR BROWSING
• No limit in assessing any web sites with the same user experience as using a traditional PC, so web sites don't need to be resized and adjusted, thanks to its exceptional resolution of 1024x480 and a very large 4.8" screen (12.2cm diagonal), there is no need to zoom in on web pages, or to scroll left & right. The only thing you need to do is scroll up & down, just like on your PC.
• Fast and fully featured, the Android browser offers: multi-touch, Java script optimization, Adobe Flash Player 10.1 support, and multiple page opening.
• Ultra-fast high-speed connectivity via HSDPA @ 14.4 and WiFi N for data connection.
• Bluetooth 3.0
GREAT FOR MOVIES
On the 21:9 screen you can watch a movie in its original format, for an engrossing cinema-like experience. What's more the LED backlit display uses the same technology as TV showing super bright and vivid images; to top it off, Dolby Mobile technology delivers vibrant, immersive sound. Not enough for you yet? Thanks to DLNA technology or the HDMI cable, you can connect it to your TV to view your content on an even bigger screen!
POWERFUL
Inside the product beats the powerful 1GHz Snapdragon processor, which, in addition to the large screen, turns this smartphone into a perfect game console. Together with 6-axis motion sensing (Gyroscope + accelerometer), this smartphone will exceed any gaming expectation.
Equipped with an 8MP camera and LED flash, and a 2MP front camera for high quality IP video calling.
With a screen resolution of 1024x480, more content can be displayed on screen, in all regular apps, such as, Contacts, Google Maps, Email, Instant Messaging conversations, etc.
100% Smartphone, 100% Tablet: a revolutionary experience for people who want it all!
Via Engadget (1), (2), @rossrubin, PCMag
