Acer, known more for its laptops and less for its smartphones, is now set to make a strong impact in the global smartphone market. Recent reports suggest that the company will be launching six new phones in 2013, targeting market segments in Europe, China, and Southeast Asia.
According to DigiTimes, one of the six models launched by Acer will run on Windows Phone 8 platform while the rest of the smartphones will run on Android platforms. The high-end models will sport Qualcomm's dual-core CPUs and entry-level models using chipset solutions from MediaTek.
Details on what Acer's first Windows Phone 8 handset will offer or when these phones will be released have not been confirmed yet.
The news came soon after Acer's CEO JT Wang voiced his displeasure over Microsoft's decision to produce its own Windows 8 tablets in October. Wang told the Financial Times that the Internet giant's plan to launch its own tablet would be a "negative for the worldwide ecosystem" in computing.
"We have said think it over. Think twice," said Wang. "It will create a huge negative impact for the ecosystem and other brands may take a negative reaction. It is not something you are good at so please think twice."
Acer has recently released CloudMobile S500, its first flagship cloud computing-enabled smartphone in Europe. Additionally, two more smartphones, the Liquid Gallant and Liquid Glow, which targeted the entry-level and mid-range segments, were released earlier this year.
According to DigiTimes, in Europe, the Taiwan-based company is trying to increase its smartphone sales via established sales channels. Additionally, Acer is trying to strengthen its relationship with telecom carriers.
Acer is also trying to tap the emerging markets of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and India. However, in China, the company will push its sales in the entry-level to mid-range segments, but will not release any smartphone targeted for the ultra-low-price segment.
