Acer Unveils new Tablets, a 4.8-inch Smartphone, Clear.fi Cloud-based System and Alive Store
Acer has unveiled a line-up of new tablet devices as well as a content platform in a bid to take on Apple’s iPad. The latest range includes:
- A 4.8-inch ‘smartphone with the soul of a tablet’
- 7 and 10-inch Android tablets
- A 10-inch Windows-based variant
- A dual touchscreen hybrid between laptop and tablet.
Here’s a cursory glance at the devices unveiled:
Acer Iconia
This dual-touchscreen device is being likened to the Toshiba Libretto. But the Acer Iconia comes with larger 14-inch displays with 1366×768 pixel resolution. The bottom display can apparently act as a full screen keyboard.
Notable specifications are:
- Intel Core i5 CPU
- Intel graphics
- Up to 4GB of RAM
- Up to 750GB of storage
- VGA and HDMI output
- 802.11n, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity features
- Dual 1.3MP cameras
- Integrated 3G
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Two USB 2.0
- One USB 3.0
- Windows 7 Home Premium
- Gesture-based control
The Iconia is likely to be released in mid-January for around $2,300.
Tablets
Reports suggest that Acer’s 10.1- and 7-inch Android tablets will run the upcoming Honeycomb version, expected early next year, and come with integrated 3G and Wi-Fi. The 10.1 variant is likely to flaunt:
- A dual-core Tegra processor
- HDMI output
- 1280×800 (16:10) resolution
- 5-megapixel rear camera
- A front-facing camera for video calling
- A multi-touch system
- Integrated Gyroscope for gamers.
The 7-inch tablet will come with the same features sans the gyroscope and the screen size. It will feature:
- 1280×800 (16:10) resolution
- Flash 10.1 support
- DLNA technology
Both these devices are expected to be released in April 2011.
10-inch Windows 7 tablet
Acer is likely to release the 10-inch Windows 7 variant in February. Details pertaining to this device are sketchy. However, rumors suggest it will run on a new AMD platform, and will even come with a keyboard docking station. So it can be turned into a detachable notebook.
Smartphone
We don’t know what it will be called yet, but this new smartphone has a formidable features list:
- A 4.8-inch 1024 x 480 pixel resolution display
- 1GHZ processor
- 8MP rear camera with LED flash
- A 2MP snapper on the front for video conferencing
- Support for Flash 10.1
- Bluetooth 3.0, HSPA+14.4 connectivity
- Six-axis gyroscope and accelerometer
- Android OS (reports point towards Gingerbread).
It is being promoted as a hybrid between a smartphone and a tablet, instantly reminding us of the Dell Streak. The device is likely to be launched in April next year.
Acer Alive platform and Clear.fi cloud-based system
Along with the announcement of its new tablet and smartphone range, Acer has unveiled its new Clear.fi cloud-based system, which will enable users to share files with other Clear.fi-enabed devices, as well as download apps or other content from the Alive platform, which is Acer’s version of the iTunes.
Acer’s new Alive store will include:
- Free and paid content
- Content will comprise the following categories:Listen: Music, radio programs, podcasts, audiobooks, and other audio entertainment
Watch: Movies, TV programs, and videos
Read: E-books, e-newspapers and e-magazines
Play: Games
Users in Italy and the UK will be able to access the store in December. A more aggressive rollout across all new Acer devices is expected in the first quarter of next year.
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