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Acer, which currently sells a selection of standalone PDAs, is getting into the smartphone business in a big way. It bought smartphone-maker E-Ten for $290 million last March and, according to an article in DigiTimes, plans to introduce smartphones under its own brand early next year.

The company said it would focus on the Western European and Russian markets with its Acer-branded models. As for E-Ten, its devices are popular in Asia, where their lines of Glofish smartphones are well-regarded for their cutting-edge features.

While it would appear there's room for smartphones from Acer under both the Acer and E-Ten banners, nothing's been said as to what, if any, part E-Ten will play in Acer's coming play for a piece of the fast-growing smartphone pie.

Acer is in the process of growing its handset unit to 500 employees. It hopes to have that completed by the end of 2008.