[DIGIT TEST CENTRE] Sneak Peek - Acer Liquid

[Lucifer]

Hi guys,
We recently got our hands on Acer's Liquid, based on Google Android 1.6 (Donut). We'll have a longer review in the relevant section up soon, but for now check out a couple of pics.

It's quite a sexy device, with curved edges. The front of the handset is glossy black and the screen and surrounding region is finished in the same material as the bezel - making the display appear deceptively large. The rest of the body is a plain white - a simple colour scheme, though an attractive one. It'll feel a little bulky in-hand owing to the large display and broad (though cunningly concealed) bezel.

Initial reactions aren't too promising - for although the device has a really nice 3.5-inch display, the capacitive-touch interface isn't the best around. Android has a lot of rough edges as well, and is far from being an ideal cellular platform. Although the OS has a lot of advanced features, there are a bunch of surprising omissions that cripple usability as an everyday handset.

Incidentally, the Liquid has a fairly mediocre 5.0-megapixel camera. One of the plus points is the 768 MHz Snapdragon CPU and 256-MB RAM - not the best hardware around, but it's definitely snappy.

The accessories are fairly mediocre, though I liked the pouch.

*img251.imageshack.us/img251/6489/liquid1.th.jpg

*img205.imageshack.us/img205/4045/liquid2n.th.jpg

Is there anyone looking at buying this handset? Already got it? Feel free to let me know your impressions...

 

[nimish23]

check out the hands on review that we had done on the Acer Liquid when it launched in Mumbai
*www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/Acer-Liquid--Rs-25000-Android-based-phone_3955.html

 

[FilledVoid]

Wow it does look nice. Since I see Market and Youtube in there it should definitely have all the Google Apps in it. May I ask about the approximate price. Also I just can't figure what's with everyone still handing out 1.6 Donut . I mean shouldn't phones be coming out with 2.0 or something instead D: .

Although the OS has a lot of advanced features, there are a bunch of surprising omissions that cripple usability as an everyday handset.

Like? The problems I could probably state is the inability to synch easily With Microsoft Outlook or another Client. Inability to Log off out of Google .

For some reason Android Phones don't seem to have a good camera on any of them. Well at least those in the Indian Market aren't noteworthy .

 

[Lucifer]

Like? The problems I could probably state is the inability to synch easily With Microsoft Outlook or another Client. Inability to Log off out of Google .

Those problems are secondary. I'm talking about basic problems as a handset. In my opinion, a smartphone/PDA phone worth even 50K has to be a good phone before being anything else. Interfacing, call functionality, interface response, convenience when using basic call/messaging features, call quality and clarity, clarity of loudspeaker - these are basic features that you just cannot get wrong...

Never mind the other omissions you have pointed out, and several others. Some devices just "feel right" - this one doesn't. It's a decent handset, but could have been much more.

 

[FilledVoid]

Interfacing, call functionality, interface response, convenience when using basic call/messaging features, call quality and clarity, clarity of loudspeaker - these are basic features that you just cannot get wrong...

Well definitely that would be a priority. I guess I sort of assumed that basic functionality was quite good since it had a hefty price tag.

 

[Lucifer]

Well definitely that would be a priority. I guess I sort of assumed that basic functionality was quite good since it had a hefty price tag.

You would be correct in assuming so. As did I. Believe me, the surprise was profound, and the accompanying annoyance was great.