Acer Commits to Windows Mobile Smartphones in a Big Way

The president of Acer said today his company will release its first smartphone in the coming months, and seems determined this will be followed up by many more.

Gianfranco Lanci said his company's initial smartphone will hit the market early next year at the latest, according to the IDG News Service. He didn't reveal any additional details about this device, other than it will run Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system.

Looking forward, Lanci said smartphones could be responsible for up to 10% of Acer's revenue in the future.

Acer = E-TEN

Acer's plan to release smartphones doesn't come as much of a surprise. Earlier this year, the company announced it is acquiring E-TEN, which has been making Windows Mobile devices for years.

And this isn't Acer's only purchase of late. It now owns Gateway and Packard Bell, and the company's smartphones might be sold under any of these brands.

It intends to sell its mobile products through wireless carriers, not directly to consumers as E-TEN often does.

In the mean time, E-TEN isn't standing still; it recently unveiled two new models in its Glofiish line of smartphones.

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