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.