Acer A501 User Manual
User Guide
A501
1
© 2011. All Rights Reserved.
Acer ICONIA TAB User Guide
Model: A501
First issue: 09/2011
Acer ICONIA TAB
Model number: __________________________________
Serial number: ___________________________________
Date of purchase: ________________________________
Place of purchase: ________________________________
2
Table of contents
Getting to know your tablet
Features and functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Product registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Setting up
Unpacking your tablet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Getting to know your tablet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Using the SIM card slot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Using your tablet
Charging your tablet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Turning on for the first time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Locking your tablet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Using the touchscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
The Home screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
The onscreen keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Editing text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Connecting devices to your tablet
Connecting to AC power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Inserting a microSD card (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Connecting to a PC as a USB storage device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Connecting a USB device to your tablet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Connecting a Bluetooth device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Connecting to a television with HDMI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Connecting to the dock (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Using the AT&T Mobile Broadband Network
How to Connect to the AT&T Mobile Broadband Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Adjusting connection settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Going online
Managing Wi-Fi connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Browsing the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Setting up Gmail (Google mail) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Composing an email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Setting up the Email application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Online applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
3
Acer content folders
Using the content folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Playing music and video
Multimedia playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Media server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Dolby Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Managing contacts
Using the camera
Camera icons and indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Taking a photo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Shooting a video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Reading an eBook or pdf
LumiRead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Advanced settings
Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Putting your tablet in Airplane mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Activating or deactivating connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Adjusting Bluetooth settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Connecting to a PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Setting the date and time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Setting alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Changing language and text options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Managing applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Updating your tablet’s operating system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Resetting your tablet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
FAQ and troubleshooting
Installing a SIM card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Other sources of help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Legal notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Specifications
End user license agreement
4
Getting to know your tablet
Features and functions
Your new tablet offers leading, easy-to-access multimedia and entertainment
features. You can:
• Connect to the Internet.
• Access your email while on the move.
• Keep in touch with your friends via your Contacts and social networking
applications.
• Listen to rich, full-impact audio via Dolby Mobile.
Product registration
When using your product for the first time, it is recommended that you
immediately register it. This will give you access to useful benefits, such as:
• Faster service from our trained representatives.
• Membership in the Acer community: receive promotions and participate
in customer surveys.
• The latest news from Acer.
Hurry and register, as other advantages await you!
How to register
To register your Acer product, please visit www.acer.com. Click Registration and
follow the simple instructions.
You can also register directly from your tablet by tapping the Acer Registration
icon.
After we receive your product registration, you will be sent a confirmation
email with important data that you should keep in a safe place.
5Features and functions
Setting up
Unpacking your tablet
Your new tablet comes packed in a protective box. Carefully unpack the box
and remove the contents. If any of the following items is missing or damaged,
contact your dealer immediately:
• Acer ICONIA TAB
• Quick Start Guide
• AT&T Getting Connected Guide
• USB cable
• AC adapter
• Warranty card
• Cleaning cloth
Getting to know your tablet
Front
view
1
3
No. Item Description
1 Touchscreen 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 pixel capacitive
touchscreen.
2 Front-facing camera A 2-megapixel camera for video chatting and
self-portrait images.
3 Light sensor Detects ambient light and automatically adjusts
the screen brightness.
2
6
Back
view
12
3
No. Item Description
1 LED flash Lights to illuminate images.
2 5 MP camera A 5-megapixel camera for taking high-
resolution images.
3 Speakers Emits stereo audio
Left and right
views
1
4
3
2
3
5
6
7
No. Item Description
1 Power button Long press to turn the tablet on, press briefly to
turn the screen on/off or enter sleep mode;
press and hold to turn the tablet off.
2 3.5 mm headphone jack Connects to stereo headphones.
7Getting to know your tablet
No. Item Description
3 Micro HDMI (Type D)
port
4 DC-in jack Connects to the DC power supply.
5 Micro USB port (Slave) Connects to a computer with a USB cable.
6 USB port (Host) Connects USB devices to your tablet.
7 Reset button Insert a small thin object (such as a paperclip) to
Connects to an HDMI cable with a Type D
connector.
reset power to the tablet.
Top and bottom
No. Item Description
1 Volume control key Increases and decreases the tablet volume.
2 Screen rotation lock
switch
3 Card slot cover Insert a microSD card into the slot under this
4 Docking port Connects your tablet to the dock accessory.
views
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3
4
Use this switch to lock the screen rotation or
allow the screen to match the tablet’s
orientation.
cover.
See “Inserting a microSD card (optional)” on
page 22.
Using the SIM card slot
To take full advantage of your tablet’s Internet capabilities, you should install a
SIM card with data subscription
See “Installing a SIM card” on page 58.
before
turning on your tablet.
8
Using your tablet
Charging your tablet
For first-time use, you need to charge your tablet for four hours. After that you
can recharge the battery as needed.
Connect the DC-in jack to your tablet and plug the AC adapter int
outlet.
o any AC
Note: It is normal for the tablet surface to become warm during charging or
long periods of use.
9Charging your tablet
Turning on for the first time
To turn on your tablet, press and hold the power button for two seconds. You
will then be asked some questions before you can use your tablet.
To start, tap to select yo
instructions as they are displayed.
Sign in to or create a Google account
If you have Internet access, your tablet allows you to synchronize information
with a Google account.
During the start-up process, you may create or
be used to synchronize your contact list, email, calendar and other information.
If you do not yet have Internet access, or do not want to use this feature, then
tap Skip.
ur language, then tap Start. Follow the rest of the
sign in to an account, which will
Important: You must sign in to a Google Account to use Gmail, Google Talk,
Google Calendar, and other Google Apps; to download applications from
Android Market; to back up your settings to Google servers; and to take
advantage of other Google services on your tablet.
If you want to restore existing settings from another device with Android
2.0 (or later) installed, you must sign in to your Google account during
setup. If you wait until after setup is complete, your settings will not be
restored.
Note: If you have multiple Google accounts, such as separate accounts for
personal and business contacts, you can access and synchonize them from
the Accounts settings section. See “Multiple Google accounts” on page 55.
10
Locking your tablet
If you will not use your tablet for a while, briefly press the power button to lock
access. This saves power and ensures your tablet does not unintentionally use
any services. Your tablet will lock automatically if it is not used after a while. To
change the delay, tap Apps > Settings > Screen > Timeout.
Waking your tablet
If the screen is off and the tablet does not react to any taps on the screen, then
it has been locked and is in sleep mode.
To wake your tablet, press the power button. Your tablet will
screen. Drag the lock symbol to the edge of the circle to unlock the tablet.
display the Lock
For additional security, you may set a code or number that must be entered to
access the tablet, such as an unlock pattern (a set of dots that must be tapped in
the correct order). Open the Home screen and tap Apps > Settings > Location &
security > Configure lock screen.
Note: If you forget an unlock pattern or PIN, please refer to “Unlock
pattern“ on page 60.
Using the touchscreen
Your tablet uses a touchscreen for selecting items and entering information.
Use your finger to tap the screen.
Tap: To
Drag: Hold
and images.
uch the screen once to open items and select options.
your finger on the screen and drag across the screen to select text
11Locking your tablet
Tap and hold: Tap and hold an item to see a list of actions available for that
item. On the pop-up menu that appears, tap the action you want to perform.
Scroll: To
screen in the direction that you want to scroll.
scroll up or down the screen, simply drag your finger up or down the
The Home screen
When you start your tablet, or wake it from power saving, it will display the
Home screen. This screen gives you quick access to information and simple
controls with widgets or shortcuts. These display information such as the time
and favorite bookmarks, or provide additional controls and direct access to
applications. Some have been pre-installed on your tablet, while others may be
downloaded from the Android Market.
The Home screen already features some us
Voice search
eful controls and information.
Application menu
Search
AT&T usage
meter
Navigation
Network connectivity, Time, and Status
Customize screen
Search
To search for applications, files or for information on
the Internet, tap the Google / Search icon in the top-left
corner.
Simply enter the text you want to
Internet, or tap one of the suggestions, applications or files shown in the list.
Note: In order to search or browse the Internet, you must be connected to a
cellular data (if available) or wireless network. See “Going online” on
page 27.
find. Tap the arrow or Enter key to search the
Voice search
If voice search is available, tap the microphone and speak your search
request. See “Voice Search” on page 28.
12
Navigation
To navigate through menus and options, three (or
more) icons are shown in the bottom-left corner.
Back
Tap this icon to go to the previous page, or to go up one level in a
menu. This icon may be replaced with the
(such as if the keyboard or list of recent applications is shown).
hide
icon in certain cases
Back Home Recent
Hide
Home
Tap this icon to go directly to the Home screen.
Recent
Tap this icon to see recently opened applications. Tap an application to open it,
or tap anywhere on the screen to return to the Home screen.
Settings
This icon is displayed in some applications. Tap this icon to open a list
of options.
The extended Home screen
The Home screen extends to either side of the initial Home screen, giving you
more room to add widgets or organize shortcuts. To view the extended Home
screen, swipe your finger to the left or right.
A total of five pages are available, two to the left and two to the right. To
hange or add widgets on any of the screens see “Personalizing the Home
c
screen“ on page 16.
Home screen
13The Home screen
The application menu
The application menu displays applications installed on your tablet.
Two categories are available: All and My a
are installed on your tablet; My apps displays applications that you have
installed from the Android Market.
Note: All images are for reference only. The applications installed on your
tablet can be different from the applications shown in illustrations.
pps. All displays all applications that
Applications are displayed in alphabetical order. If more applications are
available, an outline of the second page will be shown on the side of the
screen. Swipe the outline towards the center of the screen to switch pages.
Tap and hold an icon to add a short
shortcut is selected, thumbnails of the Home screens are shown below the list of
applications, simply drag the shortcut to a screen.
cut to one of your Home screens. While a
Status and notification area
Status and notification icons are shown in the
bottom-right corner of the screen.
This area contains a variety of icons to inform
you of your tablet’s status. The icons on the
right side of the clock indicate connectivity and
battery status. The left side of the clock displays
the event notification icons.
Tap the status icons to view more status
informat
ion and a summary of events.
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Time
Network reception
Wireless
reception
Battery
charge
status
Tap the status area again to view more controls. While viewing a notification,
tap the summary to see more information, if available. Some event summaries
include controls, such as media controls if music is playing.
Status and notification icons
Connection and battery status icons
Note: Network connection icons are blue if you have an active Google
account.
Icon Description Icon Description
Connected to a wireless
network (waves indicate
connection strength)
An open wireless network is
available
Bluetooth is on Battery is partially drained
Battery is very low
Battery is low
Connected to a Bluetooth
device
Airplane mode (wireless
connectivity disconnected)
Battery is full
Battery is charging
15The Home screen
Notification icons
Icon Description Icon Description
Alarm is set Speaker is silenced
New Gmail message Tablet microphone is off
New Google Talk message GPS is on
Upcoming event Receiving location data from
GPS
Song is playing More status notifications
SD card or USB storage is full Syncing data
Tablet is connected to PC via
USB
Application update available Problem with sign-in or sync
System update available Uploading data
Virtual private network (VPN)
status
Sync is on
Downloading data
Cellular data status icons
Icon Description Icon Description
Cellular signal strength SIM card is invalid or not
installed
Connected to EDGE network New/unread SMS/MMS
Connected to HSDPA network Problem with sending SMS/
MMS
Roaming Carrier data use threshold
exceeded
No signal
Personalizing the Home screen
You may personalize your Home screen by adding or removing application
shortcuts or widgets, and by changing the wallpaper.
Adding or removing shortcuts or widgets
To add shortcuts or widgets open the Add to Home screen: tap the plus sign
next to Apps in the top-right corner of the Home screen. Alternatively, tap and
16
hold anywhere on the Home screen.
Tap Widgets to see small applications that you can add to a Home screen.
Widgets are small applications that display constantly-updated information or
quick shortcuts to applications or special functions.
plications to open a list of shortcuts to applications and settings you can
Tap Ap
drag to a Home screen.
Tap Wal
pre-formatted wallpapers, images stored in the Gallery, or Live wallpapers
featuring animated or interactive backgrounds.
Tap More
settings.
To move any item on the Home screen, tap an
You may drag the item to any free area on the screen. To move the item to a
different Home screen, drag it to the side of the screen, the Home screen will
switch to the screen in that direction. Release the item when it is positioned
correctly.
To remove an item from the Home screen,
icon appears in the top-right corner of the screen. Simply drag the item to the
trash icon.
lpapers to change the current wallpaper. You can choose from a set of
to add icons, shortcuts, ‘groups’ of contacts or links to specific
d hold the item until it is selected.
tap and hold the item until the trash
17The Home screen
Adding shortcuts from the Application menu
You can add shortcuts to the Home screen directly from the Application menu.
Open the Application menu then tap and hold an icon until an image of the
Home screens appears. Drag the icon to a Home screen to create a shortcut.
The onscreen keyboard
When you tap a text box to enter text, an onscreen keyboard will appear.
Simply tap on keys to enter text.
Tap the ?123 button to see numbers and special characters, and then tap the
More key to see more options. Tap and hold a key to select alternative
characters (if available), such as letters with accents.
The layout of the keyboard varies slightly, depending on the application and
informat
ion that is required.
Changing Android keyboard settings
To use a different keyboard language or change settings, tap the Input
options key,
settings. These settings include Auto-correction, keyboard sounds and
vibration.
18
then select either Input languages or Android keyboard
Predictive text or auto correction
The Android keyboard can provide predictive text input. As you tap the letters
of a word, a selection of words are displayed that continue the sequence of
letters tapped, or are a close match allowing for errors. The word list changes
after every key press. If the word you need is displayed, you can tap on it to
insert it into your text.
To turn predictive text on or off wit
options key, and then Android keyboard settings. Tap Auto correction or Show
correction suggestions and select one of the options.
h the Android keyboard, tap the Input
Changing the keyboard
To use a different keyboard type, tap the Keyboard status icon; this will
open a menu listing the text input methods available on your tablet. Tap
your preferred input method.
Typically three options are available: two type
and voice) and XT9 Text Input.
s of Android Keyboard (keyboard
XT9 Text Input
The XT9 keyboard provides an alternative to the standard Android keyboard.
Tap the ?123 button to see numbers and special characters, and then tap the
ALT key to see more options. Tap and hold a key to select alternative characters
(if available), such as letters with accents.
Additional keys vary depending on the type of text
a smiley is available when typing a text message. Like other keys, tap and hold
to see if additional options are available.
you enter, e.g. a key to add
Text assistance
The standard XT9 keyboard has various features that assist you to enter correct
text. To use these features, tap the Keyboard status icon; this will open a menu
listing the text input methods available on your tablet. Tap the settings icon
next to the XT9 Text Input entry.
19The onscreen keyboard
Function Description
Languages and
settings
Preferences Change your text input preferences.
Set the languages that will be available.
If you have selected more than one language, tap
the globe in the text prediction bar to cycle
through the languages. Tap and hold the globe
to see a list of selected languages.
Editing text
You can select and edit text in certain applications, such as text you have
entered in a text field. Selected text can be cut or copied and later pasted
within the same application, or to a different application.
Note: Certain applications may not support text selection, or only support it
in certain areas. Other applications may offer specialized commands to
select text.
Selecting text
To select text that you want to cut, copy, delete or replace:
1. Tap the text you want to select. If you can select this text, a cursor is inserted
below the text.
Note: The cursor indicates where text you type or paste will be inserted.
2. Tap and hold the text or word you want to select.
The selected text is highlighted, with a tab
3. Drag either tab to expand or reduce the amount of selected text, or tap
Select all.
4. To cut or copy the text, tap the Cu
t or Copy button.
at each end of the selection.
Inserting text
To type new text or add text that you have copied:
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