14 DAY TRIAL // Acer's Windows Mobile-based F1 smartphone has made the headlines the past few days, with rumors pointing towards October 6 as the possible launch date for the device, and it seems that its maker has indeed confirmed what we were all expecting. The handset will land on the market the very same day Microsoft is set to unleash its Windows Mobile 6.5 OS, and enthusiasts in the UK can already pre-order the phone from Clove.
Not only does the upcoming device run under the latest flavor of Microsoft's platform, but it also includes a Qualcomm 8250 1GHz processor, turning into the second smartphone that reaches the shelves with the high-end Snapdragon platform on board. In addition, the Acer F1 will also deliver 512MB of ROM and 256MB of RAM, along with a microSD memory card slot that offers support for up to 32GB of additional storage space.
As soon as they will fire up Acer F1's engine, users will also enjoy a 3.8-inch WVGA touchscreen display and a 5-megapixel photo snapper with auto focus and LED flash, as well as WiFi 802.11 b/g, miniUSB and Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity options, a 3.5mm audio jack, accelerometer and support for quad-band GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz) and HSPA 900, 1900, 2100MHz (download 7.2 Mbps / upload 5.76 Mbps) frequencies. The new smartphone measures 118.6 x 63 x 12mm and weighs 130 grams. It packs a Lithium-ion 1350 mAh battery that can provide up to 5 hours of talk time or up to 400 hours of standby time. Other features of the handset include ambient light sensor and proximity sensor, as well as Microsoft's Internet Explorer Mobile 6, support for social networking, including Facebook and Flickr, as well as support for a wide range of widgets that will enable users to customize their phone to suit them best.
The Acer F1 is available for pre-order here, featuring a price tag of £295 ($550/€375), or £339.25 with VAT included.
