Acer to launch new Intel-powered smartphones first in Philippines

Although it may seem like Acer has not been doing much in the smartphone department lately — its latest smartphone-related activity involved launching a number of new devices at last month’s Mobile World Congress — the Taiwan-based company is actually quite busy. In fact, it is currently working with Intel to launch new smartphone models powered by the latest batch ofAtom-based Clover Trail+ mobile chips. And it will be releasing the same very soon.
How soon, exactly? Well, according to a press invite that we got this afternoon, Acer is going to hold a launch event for its “new line of smartphones” next week here in the Philippines. Nothing specific has been revealed yet so far, but judging from the presence of the Intel logo in the event invite itself, it’s clear that Acer plans on showcasing the only Intel-powered smartphone it revealed last month, the Acer Liquid C1.
The Acer Liquid C1 comes with a 4.3-inch qHD screen, support for HSPA+ data and 3G, an 8-megapixel main camera, and Intel’s new 1.2GHz Atom Z2420 CPU. The Intel Atom Z2420 has been described by Intel as a “power-efficient SoC” that “enables a smooth and responsive user experience, including a responsive hardware-accelerated HTML 5 browser, fast applications, and outstanding multi-tasking performance.”
We’ll be there at Acer’s summer party-themed launch event next week to bring you exclusive hands-on photos and our first impressions of the Liquid C1, as well as coverage on all of the other Android-powered Acer products on display that day. Check back here next week for the update.

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Acer intros a new version of the C7 Chromebook with a better battery and $280 price point

Acer’s $200 C7 Chromebook might not be playing in the same league as the Pixel (not even close), but it is six times cheaper, so budget-conscious folks are likely to call the quality-price ratio fair. But what if you need just a little extra oomph and you don’t mind coughing up 80 bucks more?

In that case, you should meet the C710-2055. This looks exactly the same as the base C7 Chromebook model (C710-2847) and has most of the specs of the original, save for two key features, which have been boosted.

The puny 4-cell battery now has two extra cells and a 5,000 mAh total capacity, which should add two whole hours of autonomy to the previous four. Multitasking is bound to get an important lift as well, given the 2 GB of RAM inside the base C7 have been upgraded to 4 gigs.

I know what you’re thinking, a slightly snappier processor would have made the new C7 perfect, but for the time being you’ll still have to make due with the 1.1 GHz Celeron 847. The rest is also the same, with all the ups and downs that go with it – 320 GB of storage, 11.6-inch 1,366 x 768 pix res screen, Intel HD Graphics, Wi-Fi, three USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, multi-gesture touchpad.

And, as you might have guessed already, the C710-2055 is worth $280. Meanwhile, remember there’s another C7 version around, the C710-2605, going for $300. That’s for some reason very difficult to score (currently out of stock at most online retailers) and is esentially a C710-2055 with a larger 500 GB hard drive.

As for other Chromebook options, you can find Samsung’s old Series 3 starting at $250, the new Series 5 at $550 and up, and the HP Pavilion going for $330. And, of course, the almighty Pixel is available for $1,299 in a Wi-Fi only flavor or $1,449 with 4G LTE. That’s what we like to call freedom of choice!

So what say you, boys and girls? Is Acer’s rehashed new C7 worth a second look? Is it the Chromebook with the best quality-price ratio? Are Chromebooks in general worth the trouble?

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Acer to launch a $299 phablet at Computex Taipei in June

Though Acer has been in the market for ages, it hasn’t had that one huge Android hit. TheIconia B1, its budget tablet, seems to be the company’s best chance of reversing its fortune, what with the Taiwanese hinting last month that it will release more affordable tablets to accompany the enthusiastically received B1.

In addition to smartphones and tabs, Acer is also planning to add phablets to its Android lineup, which it will reportedly introduce at the upcoming Computex Taipei, the world’s second biggest computer expo, this June.

What exactly lured Acer to the not-so forbidden phablet tree? According to Acer corporate president Jim Wong, the phablet market is expected to grow to 10 million units in 2013, roughly a 25% increase from the previous year. Acer is hoping to get in on the action with its own offering.

The specs are still a big mystery for now, but Wong said that Acer will focus on the device’s size, camera, software, and most importantly — its price. With most enlarged smartphones are offered for $399 – $499,  Acer is looking to undercut the competition by introducing a phone-tablet hybrid that’ll only cost $299.

It’s too early to tell whether Acer will hit the jackpot, but if it can hit the sweet spot of specs and price, it might just have a winner on its hands. Are you interested in seeing what Acer has to offer?

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