The channel has already heard of the hybrid tablet and just when they start to understand the Phablet, released recently by Samsung, comes Acer, who decided to trump both by introducing a new tablet category called “the one-handed tablet.”
Acer’s one-handed tablet comes to market under the company’s Iconia brand. The product will be Acer’s first ever full-featured 7.9-inch tablet. I wonder what’s next: “look Ma no-hands tablet.”
If you listen to Acer’s media spin on this product they will be targeting modern day explorers, adventurers, digital freaks and mobile executives; not exactly customers who frequent channel partners, but Sumit Agnihotry, the vice president of product marketing, Acer America, said the company wanted everyone to experience the cherished companions tablets are becoming.
“Everything that makes tablets so enjoyable is even better on the perfectly sized Acer Iconia A1. The design is comfortable to hold, while the sleek build makes it a natural extension for anyone who wants to keep their digital life right at their fingertips,” Agnihotry said.
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The concept for the one-handed tablet is for Acer to create an all-day mobile companion for end users. The Acer Iconia A1 is sleek and light-weight (only 0.90 pounds and measuring only 0.44 inches thin) and can be operated in one-hand or fit inside a purse or bag. Powered by a 1.2GHz quad core processor from MediaTek.
The LED-backlit display with IPS technology and a 170-degree viewing angle for video content and for photos. The unit has 1024 x 768 resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio for Web browsing, e-reading and gaming.
Acer is also providing a touch app called WakeApp for one tap access to end user desired apps. Google plays a major role in this release as the Iconia A1 will have services such as Google Now, Google Search, Gmail, YouTube, and the Google Play Store.
Another feature from Acer is its Digital Hub as the new device has a 5MP rear-facing camera for capturing 1080p video at 30fps that is meant for quick edits and sharing. The front-facing camera pairs with a microphone to capture video and audio for video chats and recording. There is also a micro USB 2.0 and microHDMI port. The Iconia A1 is available in 8GB or 16GB with an option for additional 32GBs through a micro SD.
The Iconia A1-810 with 16GB will be available this June for just under $200.
The one-handed tablet was not the only thing Acer introduced at its launch event in New York. The company also came out with a new touch notebook called the Aspire R7 that features a repositioned keyboard and a high-definition touchscreen that can flip, reverse, lie flat or float, yes float.
The Acer Aspire P3 notebook will have 10-point multi-touch, while the V5 and V7 models come in many colours and screen sizes.
Acer will be marketing these new devices with the user of celebrity star power. Supporting the Iconia and Aspire devices will be an advertising campaign featuring DJ, Tiësto and his personal assistant Vernon. Continuing the theme from the 2012 campaigns with Kiefer Sutherland and Megan Fox, the new campaign looks at how these “characters” use their Acer devices to explore beyond limits and to uncover a different side of themselves.