Alcatel Launches 'One Touch Hero' Android Smartphone at IFA

[dgstorm]

Because of the IFA event in Germany it was a big day for news yesterday and we didn't quite get to everything. Here's a story worth sharing about some new Android products coming to market from Alcatel. The company just announced a huge swath of new Android products, including Android phones and tablets. We will detail the tablets in a follow-up article, but the smartphones deserve their own attention. The first in their lineup is called the Alcatel One Touch Hero, and it aims to place a brand new hi-end flagship phablet smack dab in our field of view. Here's a spec breakdown for the phone:

• 6-Inch Display
• 1.5 GHz quad-core processor
• 13MP camera
• 3400mAh battery,
• Comes with a stylus
• Optional e-ink cover - comes with a second screen that enables users to read newspapers and magazines on a display that resembles physical paper
• Optional MagicFlip cover - offers LED notifications of alerts
• Wireless charging
• Can project the screen using a tiny projector
• Can pair the huge handset with a smaller phone(?)

These are some intriguing and somewhat "out of the box" ideas, and might be worth investigating further. The rest of the Alcatel smartphone lineup is as detailed in the following quote,

The other devices announced include the Idol Alpha, the Idol X, the Idol S, and the Idol Mini. The Mini and the S were both prematurely revealed a few days ago, but Alcatel pulled them back once they apparently realized that they also wanted to save these handsets for IFA. The Idol series as a whole is aimed at users who want a more typical-sized phone than the Hero, and it includes devices that range from the high-end to midrange devices. The Alpha comes with a 4.7-inch 720p display and has a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor. At the opposite end, we have the Mini with a 4.3-inch 480 by 854 display and a 1.2 dual-core processor.

As you can see, Alcatel is bringing a bunch of friends to the Android party. Only time will tell if these devices can make any headway in the market. Most of these are hitting store shelves in Europe later this month, except for the Hero, which is due in October, and the Alpha, which is coming Q4 2013. None of these are coming to the U.S. yet, but the word is that Alcatel plans to introduce similar devices in another form in the United States. We will keep you informed if anymore details arrive. Here's a press release,

ALCATEL ONE TOUCH unveils the HERO - their headline act at IFA 2013

Berlin, September 4th 2013 - Want your phone to be smarter? ALCATEL ONE TOUCH presents the HERO.

Featuring a 6” Full HD IPS display, 1.5 GHz Quad Core processor and 13 megapixel camera, the HERO has a 3400 mAh battery to keep you going for longer. As usual it comes in a beautiful design.

The HERO comes with a stylus which transforms the phone into a creative enterprise tool letting you annotate, create memos and professional sketches. It is loaded with apps that fully utilize hand writing recognition, which enables desktop like functionality to create and edit office documents on the go.

There are other smart features too like wireless mirroring that lets you share your phone screen onto a computer monitor effortlessly to play a video or share important presentation by a TV Link connectivity device.

The inductive wireless charger allows users to charge their phone with just one flip. Simple and quick! Just flip the cover and place it on the charger, the phone will be charged instantly.

Extend your display with the E Ink cover. Read newspapers and magazines on a second screen with this fresh digital experience. The technology enables users to read as if physical ink and paper on their mobile device with the stable image and wider viewing angle.

However the innovators behind this great device did not want the experience to stop there. What makes this device a true original is the MagicFlip, which notifies the users of everything the smartphone does. Stay informed about the most important updates directly via the cover with the embedded LED.

Even better still a tiny companion bluetooth enabled accessory phone allows you to receive SMS, calendar entries, place voice calls, sync phonebook and so much more without removing the larger device from your pocket or bag.

Finally, project your phone screen anywhere. HERO introduces a whole new way of viewing media and doing business with the Pico Projector. Enjoy an image larger than 70” with 12Lm for all your multimedia presentations or movies.

The HERO is challenging the conventional smart phone category, merging technologies and enabling users to personalize their device to suit their passion with a wealth of accessories.

Visit ALCATEL ONE TOUCH at IFA in Hall 21B stand 104 & 104A.

 

[cereal killer]

Great looking handset! Sony and now Alcatel are bringing some of the nicest looking Android handsets into the market.