Acer the second largest Asian PC maker after Lenovo is set to launch a powerful new range of PC’s and laptop machine with a Build Your Own Cloud ecosystem as well as a new smartwatch, dubbed “Liquid Leap, there is also talk that Acer may renter the smartphone market.
In Australia Acer is “powering” ahead after their long time CEO Charles Chung was dumped after several senior executives quit the Company because of what was described to ChannelNews as “interference” by Chung.
Under new CEO Darren Simmons the Company has found “new energy” according insiders. Since Chung left Acer the Company has re-ranged at Harvey Norman with most major retailers now stocking Acer products.
Under Chung Acer Australia reported losses and falling sales, now the Company is witnessing growth in several categories including the SMB market where the Company is set to launch new cloud based products and in the consumer market new wearable technology products.
This week at the Computex trade show the Company will show their new smartwatch that will compete head on with offerings from Samsung and LG.
Unlike last year’s show-when tablets were one of Acer’s highlights-the company plans to launch only one 8-inch Android tablet this year.
The tablet comes with 8-inch full-HD (1920×1200 pixels) IPS display with anti-fingerprint coating and is powered by Intel Atom quad-core Z3745 Bay Trail processor. It is the first tablet to feature Google’s latest Android version Android 4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box OS and packs 2GB of RAM along with 16 and 32GB of internal storage with an expandable option. It also has a 5.0-megapixel rear camera and 2.0-megapixel front camera. It also supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Micro-USB. The tablet will go on sale in Q3.
“The Acer Iconia Tab 8 features a simple and smart looking design that any discerning users will appreciate, including its sleek anodized silver metal back cover and slim profile. Measuring in at 8.5mm thin and weighting 360g light, the Iconia Tab 8 isn’t just great to look at, but also comfortable to hold in one hand or easy to slip into a bag when on-the-go,” Android OS quoted Acer .
Apart from Iconia Tab 8, Acer has also introduced five smartphones namely Acer Liquid X1, Acer Liquid E600, Acer Liquid E700, Acer Liquid Z200 and Acer Liquid Jade and a Liquid Leap smart band.
There is speculation that Acer may attempt to move back into the Australian Smartphone market with their smartphone product sold via mass retailers as opposed to carriers.
Acer has also revealed its Build Your Own Cloud ecosystem as a response to a struggling PC market, where it is the fourth largest producer globally.
Set to take on Google and Amazon Acer’s new BYOC is a world where “users can easily create, personalize and enjoy their own connected universe across any device or accessory,” Acer said in a recent press release.
The BYOC ecosystem will work in tandem with the Acer Open Platform for apps and devices that will allow businesses across all industries to create solutions for users to work through the cloud, accessing anything, anytime and anywhere wirelessly.
“Based on the Acer Open Platform, BYOC crosses platforms and industries and allies with partners to build new applications for a better quality of life. We are calling for partners to join the BYOC ecosystem to develop new technologies and apps, and in the spirit of Wangdao, create value for our mutual benefits,” said Acer chairman Stan Shih.
Acer is pushing BYOC as the next step of cloud computing, as it focuses on what is known as the Internet of Things, which would allow for connectivity over several kinds of devices. In a video released by the company, Acer showed how BYOC gives users the ability to use appliances and vehicles using their smartphones.
According to KGI Securities analyst James Lin, Acer’s strengths in hardware cost management and manufacturing will help the company in their new direction.
“Acer has proven itself good at supply-chain integration, so it may be able to exert better cost control over its data centres than players who have less hardware experience,” Lin said.
