A1: Acer Shows How To Do Android Right With Faster CPU

Acer's Android phone and there's no word that we'll be getting this any time soon.  My question to the wireless providers in the US is, why the frak not?  On the surface, there doesn't seem to be much to distinguish it from all the rest of the Android devices on the market.  In fact, it is as generic as the G1 or myTouch.

Heck, it does not even sport Sense in Hero or MOTOBLUR with Motorola's Cliq.

But what it does sport is a superior CPU.  And anyone knows, boy, does the Android devices need a faster chip to run all the widgets, skins, and background processes.  As I've mentioned, I started loading up widgets on my G1.  Lovely as it is, it has slowed my G1 to a crawl at times and at worst, even restarted on its own.

With more memory and a faster chip, the Acer should be the showcase device to introduce new users to Google's mobile platform.  Candy-eye widgets are fine but when users start experiencing slowdown, word will get around.

The chip sported by the Acer phone is a 45% faster than the ones used by the current crop of Android devices.  I'll take every bit of horsepower I can get.  The A1 sports a 768Mhz CPU versus 528Mhz CPUs used by the other Android phones.

Right now, there isn't a market for it in the US.  I'm guess it's trying to get into the Chinese and other Asian markets.  My guess is that we won't see any major changes in the design architecture of future Android devices until Android 2.0 or even 3.0.

More on the A1 at Engadget.  Pre-order price is $571, not an insanely expensive upgrade.  Though no specs are available for the A1 a this time, here are the specs for the newest Android devices, Hero and Cliq, on the market to keep in mind for comparison when we finally learn more about the A1.

Note:  The latest version of Android is 1.5.  Engadget reports that A1 lists Android 2.0.  If A1 is available for pre-order now, Android 2.0 should be too far behind.

State of the Android

Here's a quick post on this matter. Many folks are looking into the Android phones that are available for purchase now and coming our way. So what are you waiting for? G1ers, you upgrading?

Well, I don't imagine a lot of folks upgrading from the G1 to MyTouch, which is basically a keyboardless G1. Then you've got the Hero coming to Sprint this fall and the current media darling, the Motorola Cliq.

Here's my recommendation for potential Android adopters. Wait for the Cliq. It's only a month or so away from shipping with T-Mobile. The same goes for the Hero as well but for Sprint. By October or so, you will have at least four Android phones to chose from.

But how about G1ers? It's a little more complicated. If you want to stay with T-Mobile, you've got MyTouch, which isn't an upgrade considering that you're going from having a keyboard to no keyboard. So, my recommendation is to sit tight until the Cliq comes out and see where it goes from there.

With the Cliq, we're looking at a nice camera upgrade, more memory, and better battery life. Best of all, Motoblur of course.

But let's slow down a for a second. I'm excited but I'm kind of torn. The inside of Hero, Cliq, and a couple of other rumored Android devices have similar chips at the G1. We're not really looking at a big jump in performance. Not in the same way when Apple upgraded the iPhone 3G to 3GS.

Here's the bottom line, if you're looking to jump into the Android realm, you're in for some treat. Basically, your choice increase by 4-folds from last year when there was only the G1. For G1ers, it's more complicated. Hero and the Cliq has skins from THC and Morotola respectively that takes the Android to another whole new level. We're not looking at a huge speed increase or battery life but as far as functionality, you will definitely see something that will make some G1 owners contemplate upgrading.

Personally, I'm waiting for the pricing on the Cliq before making that call. Word is that it maybe free to $199 with a two-year contract. I don't know if T-Mobile will love us enough to give G1ers an upgrade path.

More about the Cliq at T-Mobile. And let's not forget HTC Hero at Sprint.

G1er: Upgrade Or Wait Till the Contract Runs Out?

T-Mobile hasn't provided much information publicly for G1 owners to upgrade to newer Android-based phones.  Perhaps, there is no upgrade option until the two-year contract runs out.  For US users, there still isn't a whole lot of selection.  For that matter, there is only one option besides G1.

HTC Hero, a very compelling reason for anyone to get an Android phone, won't be coming to the T-Mobile but will be available this fall for Sprint.  But this winter, there could be more Android devices coming our way.

So, as first generation adopters, will you be satisfy with to see your friends and others watching around with a spiffy new Google device?  Personally, I think the G1 is a great device that only shows the potential of mobile computing, not the fruits.  It's always like that with first or second generation technology.  However, as I travel the Web, I'm beginning to see more meat being added to Android.  I don't know if we'll see it with Android 2.0 or the next version after that but it's good to see Google putting a lot of resources into this.

I was a bit worried when they announced Chrome OS earlier this summer.  For instance, we know that VOIP should be support in up coming Android upgrades.

Will I upgrade from the G1 if I can?  Definitely.  I think what I'll be interested in seeing is how Hero does with Sprint with Pre being their flagship device.  Also, word is that Motorola is looking to get into the Android game as well.

It'll be a year or so when a lot of these devices come out.  I'm a T-Mobile guy so I hope many of these devices will also come our way.