Acer to launch own-brand smartphones in 1Q09

Acer plans to launch own-brand smartphones in the first quarter of 2009, with initial shipments targeting markets in Western Europe and Russia, according to Jim Wong, senior corporate vice president and president of IT product business group at Acer.

Leveraging on its global channels and market share in the global PC market, Acer expects the handset business to be a growth driver within three years, Wong contended.

The number of employees in Acer's handset business unit will be increased to 500 by the end of 2008, Wong said.