Computex 2013: Acer Liquid S1 Android phone and Iconia W3 Windows 8 Tablet Unveiled

Acer is at the Computex event with their latest smartphone, the Liquid S1. The device features a massive 720p 5.7-inch display, the same as the one on the ZTE Grand Memo, and it is running Android 4.2.

The device is coming equipped with a Mediatek quad-core 1.5GHz processor and 1GB of RAM, along with 8GB of storage expandable up to 32GB through microSD. It has an 8MP back cam and a 2MP front one, and there’s also a replaceable 2,400mAh battery which, according to Acer, will allow the handset to last a day.

There are two SIM card slots, but no LTE folks. There are no hints regarding a US release (it probably is not coming), but they have said that the device is headed to Asia and Europe. It will be available in white and black in Q3 across France, Belgium, Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia, UK and Germany with a price tag of 329 euros (around $427).

That screen size means that it will be a bit difficult for single handed use, though it weighs 195g, just 15 grams heavier than the Galaxy Note II, and apparently feels light in the hands. And it has a matte finish black plastic on the back and the sides have contoured aluminum grips, so you will get a good grip.

As you will see in the video, which comes to us courtesy of Engadget, the UI is almost a stock one. There are some additions to the software, such as the pop-up window which will be revealed when you hold down on the multitask button.

They have also unveiled their Iconia W3 which is the first 8 inch Windows 8 tablet. It features Intel’s dual-core 1.8GHz Atom Z2760 processor, and 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. Check out the video below to take a peek at the slate.



Source : mobilemag[dot]com

Sky Go scores sports highlights, but Android users remain in pits

Sky Go scores sports highlights, but Android users remain in pits

Highlights on the way for sports fans

Sky's popular Sky Go service is adding sports highlights to its sturdy offering, allowing you to catch up on things like British Lions tries, wickets from the forthcoming Ashes series and the Monaco Grand Prix.

As ever, Android owners cannot use the service yet and have to wait (im)patiently while iOS users soak up all the new stuff. But it's better than nobody getting it, we suppose.

The Sky Sports highlights are available in the On Demand section of Sky Go, and if you are a Sky Go Extra subscriber you can also download them to your Apple device.

More Blips!

We've got our own sporting* highlights - click here for more mega blip uploads!


Source : techradar[dot]com

4G at centre of Vodafone's investment in 'seamless' network

4G at centre of Vodafone's investment in 'seamless' network

Vodafone - investing heavily

Vodafone UK has announced that it will be making a massive new investment in its infrastructure ahead of the launch of its 4G network in the summer.

The British network will spend £900m to bring together its fixed and mobile infrastructure - hoping to provide its customers and businesses with a better service.

The stated goal is to create a seamless network that will allow users to switch between fixed and mobile, something that would be a real boon.

Cable & Wireless

As part of this plan Vodafone snapped up Cable & Wireless Worldwide for £1 billion in 2012, and is hoping that its improvements will allow more of us to work from any location.

Of course, the biggest factor is the arrival of 4G, the next generation mobile network which will bring much better data speeds and compete with an existing network from EE as well as the other major networks.

The investment is certainly significant, although Vodafone's competitors are of course also paying out to make their networks ready for the next generation.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Apple's Spotify and Pandora rival takes a big step closer to reality

Apple's Spotify and Pandora rival takes a big step closer to reality

iRadio - coming soon?

Apple's answer to Spotify and Pandora looks to have taken a big step closer to reality, with growing rumours that a deal with Warner has been done ahead of a big reveal at WWDC.

Locally stored music is being squeezed by streaming services like Spotify, with subscriptions allowing access to huge music libraries and cool things like discovery based on your favourites and tracking what your friends are listening to.

Apple, whose iTunes software has been dominant because of the dominance of the iPod and the rise of the iPhone is aware of this evolution and has been planning its own streaming service often dubbed iRadio.

Wheeling and dealing

The negotiations with the music companies appears not to have been straighforward, but the sealing of a deal with Warner, following on from Universal Music Group gives it two of the biggest companies with music rights.

There are major deals to be done - not least with Sony Music Entertainment, which obviously brings a new frisson of rivalry.

But Apple is expected to join the streaming music party soon, albeit late, with what is widely expected to be a free but ad-funded service.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Acer's first phablet floats into view with the Liquid S1

Acer's first phablet floats into view with the Liquid S1

Flat-blet

Kicking off Computex in Taiwan today, Acer unveiled its first phablet handset, the Liquid S1, previously hinted at during MWC.

With a 5.7-inch HD 1280 x 720 display, the all-in-one is powered by a quad-core 1.5GHz processor, running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

An 8MB cameras on the back can shoot 1080p video, while the front 2MP snapper can grab 720p.

A feature Acer is really underlining is the Float UI, which can have various widgets running on top of apps for a seemingly more efficient multitasking experience.

Float on

Acer claims the Liquid S1 will pack "a day's worth of battery power" - though we wouldn't say that's an awful lot to brag about.

According to Acer, we can expect this one to land in the UK in Q3, with a price tag of €349 (about £300, US $455, AUS $475). No US release announced just yet, but we'll let you know if that changes.


Source : techradar[dot]com

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