Acer Elbows into Smartphone Market

The company will debut its first smartphone at the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Not content with its lines of laptops, desktops, netbooks, servers, monitors, TVs, projectors, digital photo frames and even handhelds, Acer has announced plans to cut into the smartphone business. Confirming long-held rumors, the company sent out media invites on Wednesday to the debut of its first smartphone at the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The move comes after Acer bought up Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer E-Ten early last year, which produces the Glofiish line of phones. Hints from Acer president Gianfranco Lanci indicate the phone will likely be based on Windows Mobile, but it’s unlikely to be a rebadged Glofiish, given the long delay between the company’s acquisition and the mystery phone’s launch.

The official announcement will come on the first day of MWC on Feb. 16, when Lanci delivers a presentation at 7 p.m.