Acer buys E-TEN, leaps into smartphones
updated 10:10 am EST, Mon March 3, 2008
Acer Buys E-TEN
Acer today said it would acquire E-TEN, best known for its relatively successful Glofiish line of smartphones. The deal is described as worth more than $290 million and is primarily intended to help Acer explore "entirely new solutions" in the mobile world, according to the purchasing company. Both companies' executive teams have approved the deal and say they expect the necessary government approval to clear by the summer of this year.
The buyout provides Acer with a quick entry into the cellphone market and significantly expands E-TEN's influence, which (although supporting the US) has largely been limited to Europe and parts of Asia. E-TEN's devices currently run Windows Mobile and often focus heavily on 3G Internet access over HSDPA as well as extras such as digital TV and GPS navigation.
Acer has not said whether it plans to significantly change or expand the lineup but considers E-TEN a complement to its portable line, which is expected to include an Eee PC rival in the spring.
