Taiwan-based Acer is well known for churning out cheap durable computers and laptops and certain other electronic products. Now it seems that Acer is eyeing the smartphones market as they have sent word that they have entered into a definitive agreement to buy E-TEN Information Systems, which designs and manufactures handheld devices such as smartphones.
Gianfranco Lanci, President, Acer commented, “The worldwide smart phone market is estimated to grow by more than 30% by 2011. Acer will enhance the competitiveness in the ultra mobile segment, by combining PC and communication technologies.”
J.T. Wang is the chairman and chief executive officer of Acer. He explains, “This strategic transaction is yet another important milestone in Acer’s long history of innovation. The acquisition of E-TEN increases Acer’s global footprint by giving us a strong and highly credible presence in the mobility segment.”
Acer has said that they expect the acquisition to close during the third quarter of 2008. E-TEN is also a Taiwan-based company. They have launched many Pocket PC phones and Acer hopes that E-TEN’s strong reputation for research and development will assist them in coming up with new solutions for mobile communications.