Acer promises Android handset for US in 2009
updated 05:05 pm EDT, Wed May 20, 2009
Acer Android here in 2009
The latest in a series of supporting and conflicting reports of an Android-powered smartphone from Acer coming to market before the year is out has the traditional PC maker officially confirming an Android handset is indeed coming. The head of the company's phone unit, Aymar de Lencquesaing, told reports in Paris on Wednesday that one of the 10 or so new smarpthones from Acer due for release this year will run on the Google-developed Android operating system, according to a report.
Acer is in talks with about 40 wireless providers in different markets around the world, de Lencquesaing said.
"We're in discussions with all of them. To date none of them has said thanks, but no thanks, and never come back," he added.
He went on to say that, in general terms, Acer will need to sell handsets in large volumes, and has plans to gain 6 or 7 percent of smartphone market share by 2012 or 2013. The company will focus on smartphones, as this category is expected to grow in sales while mid-range offerings dwindle. The overseer of Acer's phone division also said a full touchscreen smartphone will be released in 2009 that will cost the same as a mid-range feature phone.
In 2008, Acer acquired Taiwanese handset maker E-TEN Information Systems, and will base its handsets on these existing designs.
