The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds
  • print
  • alert

Cloud based data management

Jelly roll

For storage there is only 8GB built-in but since there is a MicroSD slot under the battery cover, that is not such a big deal to get to grips with for expansion. Usefully, the entire free 5.2GB is available for app storage which gives the S500 an advantage over one its main competitors, the Sony Xperia T, which offers less than 2GB of its 16GB for system use, yet uses the same CPU.

Acer CloudMobile S500 Android smartphone Acer CloudMobile S500 Android smartphone

AnTuTu score and storage available

Out of the box the S500 runs near-stock 4.0.4 but Acer has confirmed to me that a Jelly Bean 4.1 update will roll out in due course. It didn’t offer a timescale though. The bootloader isn’t locked and rooting guides are already appearing, so getting rid of the pretty minimal amount of software Acer has added shouldn’t be an issue.

Acer CloudMobile S500 Android smartphone

AcerCloud control panel sets up what you want to share

The S500 comes preloaded with various DLNA-based AcerCloud apps which let you access all the stuff on your PC from your phone. The apps are actually available for any Android phone but supposedly you have to have an Acer PC. You don’t. The CloudMobile comes with a installation file in its storage and it worked perfectly on my Win7 HP Pavilion.

Acer CloudMobile S500 Android smartphone

AcerCloud can easily access videos on a PC for viewing on the handset

AcerCloud is very straightforward: Create an account, sign in your PC and phone and wallop, you can access all the videos, music and picture files and MS Office documents on the former with the latter. You can even set it up so your phone can wake your PC from sleep. Of course, your PC has to be switched on and connected to the internet to begin with and you can only access documents if you have MS Office installed but those caveats aside it’s a decent, idiot proof and free way to run your own personal cloud.

Acer CloudMobile S500 Android smartphone

Regcast training : Hyper-V 3.0, VM high availability and disaster recovery

Next page: Bargain hunt

Just out of interest, why did the iPhone5 get 90% for a very similar review?

4
0

@Toxteth O'Gravy

Is that the thing that produced the iPhone 4's glass back and bridgeable antennae? Because I've heard of those things as well.

3
0

Hmm

This would be very good if it wasn't for the Nexus 4. Better phone for less dosh.

3
0

More from The Register

Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Proof the pen is mightier?
Sammy’s iPad Mini killer has a stylus to stab other rivals too
Microsoft lures buy-curious vixens, corduroys with a cheap fondle
Surface slab sales latest: Will no one rid Ballmer of these turbulent tabs?
First look: iOS 7 for iPad
No, Apple hasn't released it yet, but that doesn't stop intrepid devs
 breaking news
Curtain drops on Apple Store ahead of WWDC: What lies behind?
Steve Jobs watching from on high. No pressure, lads
 breaking news
Cold, dead hands of Steve Jobs slip from iPhones: The Cult of Ive is upon us
Billionaire biz baron's death clears way for uber-shiny iOS 7
Airbus imagines suitcases that find themselves
Point your mobe at your smalls to track their every move
Surprise! Intel smartphone trounces ARM in power trials
Tests show equal performance while sipping significantly less juice
Samsung plans LTE Advanced version of Galaxy S4
1Gbps download capability could stiffen drooping S4 sales forecasts
Apple said to be 'exploring' 5.7-inch iPhone
Who's the copycat this time, Mr. Cook?