MWC: Acer unveils 'Windows 10-ready' and Android Lollipop smartphones

Liquid M2220 and Liquid Z220 handsets launch alongside new wearable and KitKat phone

BARCELONA: Acer has unveiled its first ever Windows Phone 8.1 and Android 5.0 Lollipop ‘Liquid' smartphones, the Liquid M220 and Liquid Z220.

Acer listed the Liquid M220's use of Windows 8.1 (pictured above) as a key selling point, claiming the OS' Cortana, OneDrive, Office 365 and Exchange features make it the ideal productivity aid for business and consumer users.

The Liquid M220's launch follows the announcement of Windows 10. Windows 10 was unveiled by Microsoft in October and is designed to bridge the gap between the firm's desktop and mobile operating systems, giving developers a single platform to work on.

Microsoft released a technical preview of Windows 10 for mobile in February for select Lumia devices.

Acer smartphone business group president ST Liew promised the Liquid M220 is "Windows 10 ready".

"We are proudly introducing our first Windows Phone 8.1 and simultaneously announcing its future upgradability to Windows Phone 10," he said.

"It is the right moment for Acer to join the Windows Phone ecosystem with its growing popularity and consistency across phone and PC devices."

"With the addition of a Windows-based smartphone, Acer now offers the broadest Windows portfolio in the industry."

The Liquid M220 will launch in Europe in April with pricing starting at €79. Acer is yet to give it a firm UK price or release date.

Acer unveiled the Liquid M220 alongside its first ever Android Lollipop handset, the
Liquid Z220 (pictured below).

The use of Lollipop is the Liquid Z220's most interesting feature. Unveiled alongside the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 Lollipop adds several business focused features to the OS.

Key updates include a reworked Material design, fresh notifications system, updated encryption and business focused SELinux Enforcing mode.

The use of Lollipop also means it will be compatible with Google's recently unveiled Android for Work security solution.

The Liquid Z220 features middling internal specifications. Key specs include a 4in WVGA, 233ppi display, optional dual SIM support, dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor and 5MP rear and 2MP front cameras.

Acer announced the handsets alongside a new Liquid Leap+ Smart wearable and Liquid Jade Z handset.

The Liquid Leap+ Smart runs using a custom operating system Acer promises is works with Android, iOS and Windows and is designed to offer little more than fitness tracking powers.

The Liquid Jade Z is an Android KitKat powered smartphone. Key specifications include a 5in HD IPS display, Mediatek 64-bit quad-core processor, LTE connectivity, 13MP rear with F1.8 aperture and 5MP front cameras.

The Acer Liquid Leap+ will be available in March with a starting price of €79. The Liquid Jade Z will launch in Europe March with pricing starting at €199.

Check back with V3 later for hands of reviews of the Liquid M220, Liquid Z220 and Liquid Jade Z.