Acer plans to launch its first non-Windows smartphone in the second half of this year, according to company representatives.
The world's third largest PC vendor last month announced its first ever family of smartphones, called Tempo. All of the handsets use Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS.
[ Competition among business smartphones is heating up. See InfoWorld's guide to next-gen mobile. | For a look at other enterprise-worthy smartphones on the market, check out "Supersmart phones for extreme mobility." ]
Officials at the announcement event hinted at future Acer smartphones using other OSes, including Google's Android, but provided few details.
Acer representatives in Taipei say the first non-Windows OS smartphones by the company will hit world markets later this year, though they also declined to say which OS the handsets will use.
Google Android has won accolades as a new alternative software for smartphone makers. The first smartphones with Android on board came out in the United States late last year, and they were made by Taiwan's High Tech Computer (HTC).
Since the handsets, known as the T-Mobile G1 or HTC Dream, hit the market, reports of other Taiwanese companies making Android smartphones have surfaced. Some reports have said Asustek Computer plans to make Android smartphones, while others say Acer is working on one.
Asustek representatives declined to comment on speculation.
Meanwhile, Acer is also currently working on smartphones to release later this year that use Microsoft's new Windows Mobile 6.5.
Two new smartphones from Acer will be available in some markets early next month, while the company's two premium handsets, the M900 and F900 will be out later in the second quarter, according to company representatives.
The DX900 will be available by the end of this month, according to Vincent Chen, manager of product marketing at Acer's Smart Handheld Business.
The device is a 3G touchscreen smartphone that holds two SIM cards. One of the SIM card slots supports HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access), while the other supports EDGE (enhanced data rates for GSM evolution).
The Acer X960 will be out by early next month. The device has a 2.8-inch touchscreen as well as a five-way navigation button under the screen. It includes GPS functions, a 3.2-megapixel digital camera, a music player, and more.
The company's two premium handsets, M900 and F900, which sport 3.8-inch touchscreens, will be on world markets later in the second quarter.
The F900 is the more stylish of the two, thinner and meant for just about anyone. The M900 has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and is aimed at business users.
Acer bought its way into the smartphone business last year with the acquisition of Taiwanese handset maker E-Ten Information Systems. The company is now part of Acer's smart handheld business.