Acer to Jump on the Apps and E-Reader Bandwagons
Jan 25, 2010 - By Chris Weiss
Bloomberg is reporting that computer manufacturer Acer plans to join the growing ranks of both e-reader manufacturers and app peddlers later this year. In an effort to boost profitability, the company will open an app store and launch an e-reader by mid-2010, according to the report. The app store will contain hundreds of apps.
The e-reader, expected to be announced by June, will feature a six-inch monochrome screen. It will initially be available in Europe.
Also in the works at Acer is the company’s first Chrome netbook. The manufacturer will be one of the first to offer netbooks based on Google’s Chrome OS, which is expected to appear in 10 percent of Acer’s netbook offerings. The netbook is slated for a third-quarter launch.
A tablet is also mentioned in Acer’s future, though no details are given.
The new offerings are expected to help push Acer past HP to secure the spot of top global PC supplier by 2013. Acer is currently #2. [via Bloomberg]