Rooting enables Android phone users to host third party applications and customize the open-source Android platform for better functionality. The downside, rooting voids the warranty. Therefore, it is important to understand the strings attached to the rooting process before initiating the process. Here is the process of rooting Acer Iconia A500 Honeycomb phone.

Pre Rooting Instructions:

Create a backup of all the data files like applications, call log, messages, music, videos and other graphical data present in the phone. In an unlikely event, where your data might be lost, a backup enables you to recover it.

The battery power should be at least 50% to facilitate smoother rooting process, else there is a high possibility to the rooting process is hindered.

During the rooting process, APN settings- used to access the Internet will be completely erased, therefore, you must note down all the required settings, so that you can configure them back, once the device is rooted. Additionally back up the MMS Settings and other settings in case the data is lost.

Procedure:

 Step 1: Ensure USB Debugging is enabled in your phone and you have safely secures the data both in phone and on SD card.

Step 2: Download the Rooting Package on your computer> Unzip the file to obtain iconiaroot APK file> Transfer the same to Acer Iconica A500 phone via the USB cable.

Step 3: After copying the application on your phone, open and install the file on your phone. Now, open the installed Iconia root application, and choose the option of “Root Device.”

Step 4: Wait for the rooting process to complete. It may take up to 10 minutes.

Step 5: Once the rooting process is complete, install applications like Busy Box to further customize your phone experience.

Step 6: Ensure that the super user app is installed in your Acer Iconica A500 for the proper unctioning of the phone.

Note: If you want to get back the warranty, simply un-root the device by uninstalling the iconia root application. 

A new 10.1- inch tablet from Acer has been launched in the market. Known as Acer ICONIA TAB A500, it is designed to maximize content enjoyment, and provide the same rich multimedia, gaming and Web experience with the added user-friendly multi-touch technology.

The ICONIA Tab A500 runs Honeycomb aka latest Google Android 3.0 operating system, combined with Acer user interface (UI) to reach a new level of interactivity.

Acer’s clear.fi media sharing system is preloaded on the device for seamless integration in the home clear.fi environment to easily access, play and share multimedia across the home network and to publish the updates to social media networks, instantly.

Designed for rich multimedia entertainment, this tablet offers a high resolution, high colour contrast on a 10.1-inch screen display with wide viewing angle, providing higher colour accuracy for better visuals from different perspective, allowing users to play or share HD video with friends on the go. Complete with a built-in HDMI port and 1080p output, you can also use it to enjoy HD content in full HD on a big screen TV or monitor.

The unique feature of the tablet is its ability to run and play premium HD arcade games and complex online 3D games, thanks to the multi-touch screen and gyro meter control, which guarantees an entertainment experience on par with the best game consoles.

Multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 to maximise your mobile experience. The 5MP rear-facing camera plus HD front-facing camera are perfect for video recording, video chat, or quickly snap a picture and upload it to Facebook, YouTube, Picasa; it can also be used as a barcode scanner.

Acer Liquid Metal is the new Android handset launched in India, priced at $456. The Froyo aka Android 2.2 powered smartphone runs Snapdragon processor with HSPA 14.4 Mbps support. It has a 5 MP Camera which also records video in 720p. The battery life promised is about 8 hours of talktime.

 Specs on Acer Liquid Metal:

•  Powered 800MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon Core Processor
• Android 2.2 Froyo OS (5X faster than the earlier versions)
• Display : 9.1 cm (3.6-inch) TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors,480 x 800 pixels resolution
• Fastest Connectivity Suite : HSPA 14.4 MBPS , 3G (3G + Wi-Fi), GPS, Mini USB
• Record video in HD at 720p (30fps) and watch more high-resolution videos in Xvid format (Record is possible even on low light conditions)
• Dolby Surround technology , EQ profiles and Dynamic Bass Boost
• Push Mail
• Pinch to Zoom option
• 3 Predictive Dialers (3 KB with XT 9)
• Superior Battery Life up to 8 hrs of talk time (1500 MAH Battery)
• Top LED Indicator
• Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
• Wireless LAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, UPnP
• Bluetooth v3.0 with A2DP
• Camera : 5 mega-pixel, auto-focus, LED flash ,Geo-tagging, face and smile detection, image stabilization
• Unique Acer Interface
• 8GB Micro SD Card FREE (up to 32GB)

It seems Acer is plotting a strategy to overthrow the dual-core Tegra 2 that swept all at CES 2011. Acer is kind of playing a foul game, by jumping into x86 land and snatching some unspecified Intel Sandy Bridge silicon, but will you complain when you get multi-core grunt under the hood of your well-lubricated Android machine?

An official from the company reveals two or three new tablets, sized either 7 or 10 inches diagonally, to be launched in the first half of this year. Additionally, the netbooks will be phased out in favor of touchy-feely slate devices. If you can fit a full second-gen Core CPU inside a tablet, why not? 

Last month Acer announced its new 7-inch and 10.1-inch Tablets in the New York based event. We spotted videos of both the Acer Tablets running Android on YouTube. Both the videos reflect the usage of gyroscope to flip through pages of magazine or a book. The tablet has Acer UI 4.5 layered over the Android interface and flashed innovative zooming gestures, as well.

At the Acer’s Conference, the 10.1-inch Android running tablet was displayed with aluminium casing that supports a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. However, the experts believe that Nvidia Tegra 2 SoC might be the answer for the tablet. The capacitive touchscreen supports 1280×800 pixel resolution display.

Watch the videos and enjoy the eBook application that flips pages based on the gyroscope.

Google Android, an open-source mobile operating system is aggressively used by phone manufacturers across the globe, today.  The Android OS receives updates at a rapid pace that by the time we purchase our very first Smartphone, it already becomes old.  Such is the story of the Android update cycle. But today, on a cheerful note, we are glad to announce that 83% of all Android phones as of December 1 run Android versions 2.1 and above.

Out of the pie, a major 43.4% run the latest 2.2 version followed by 39.6% running on Android 2.1. A meagre 10.6% run Android 1.6, while an even smaller 6.3% run the Android 1.5. Interestingly, India Android phone market is abreast with the global scenario and the popular Android versions run on the Indian phones now.  

Each version has brought some important features and improvements, for instance, Android 1.6 brought support for the WVGA (800 x 480 pixel) screens, Android 2.1 got an improved browser that supported multi-touch, Android 2.2 delivered better performance and nifty features like turning your phone into a Wi-Fi router or installing apps on SD card.

For Indian consumer we bring to you an important note – you need to be wary of few rotten eggs in the basket. Steer clear from the below mentioned phones as they still run Android 2.1, when they should be equipped with deserving 2.x update.

• LG GW620 (Android 1.5)
• Motorola Backflip (Android 1.5)
•  Acer beTouch E130 (Android 1.6)
•  Acer beTouch E110 (Android 1.5)

And, for Android loves who are abreast with the latest Android technology and seeking to purchasing the latest Android OS (Android 2.2) enabled phone should concentrate on the below mentioned list:

• LG Optimus P500
• Samsung Galaxy S
• Acer Liquid E
• HTC Desire/Google Nexus One
• Tablets – Samsung Galaxy Tab and the OlivePad including Dell Streak