Acer plans to launch its first smartphone towards the end of 2008, or early 2009 the company's president has announced.

This follows news that Acer recently bought Taiwanese smartphone maker E-Ten who will presumably create the Microsoft-based devices.

Acer sees smartphones representing as much as 10% of their revenue in the next few years, and will aim to sell the handsets through mobile phone network operators rather than direct to retail as was E-Ten's business model.

Acer, who also purchased PC maker Gateway and Packard Bell recently, says the phones could come to market under any of their brands.

>> News - Acer buys E-Ten
>> Via - ComputerWorld