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Acer eyes Intel-based smartphone

An Acer smartphone packing an Intel chip may be in the works, according to Asia-based media reports.

Brooke Crothers Former CNET contributor
Brooke Crothers writes about mobile computer systems, including laptops, tablets, smartphones: how they define the computing experience and the hardware that makes them tick. He has served as an editor at large at CNET News and a contributing reporter to The New York Times' Bits and Technology sections. His interest in things small began when living in Tokyo in a very small apartment for a very long time.
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Brooke Crothers
The Acer CloudMobile S500 is based on a Qualcomm chip. A future Acer smartphone may sport an Intel chip.
The Acer CloudMobile S500 is based on a Qualcomm chip. A future Acer smartphone may sport an Intel chip. Acer

Intel may be in the process of notching another smartphone win.

Acer could join the ranks of Motorola, Orange, Lenovo, Lava, and ZTE to offer a smartphone based on an Intel Atom chip, according to reports Friday appearing in the Asia-based media.

A source familiar with Intel's and Acer's plans confirmed with CNET that there was a good likelihood that an Intel-based Acer phone would appear in Asia, though the timing is unclear.

Reports are saying, in effect, the same thing. "I think there is the chance [of seeing that happen]," Peter Shieh, an Acer vice president, told reporters when asked about the Intel-based phone, according to Taipei Times.

"Intel is a more familiar partner to us because we have been working together in the PC sector for a long time," an Acer official said, speaking to The China Post.

Acer introduced six new smartphones in Taiwan this year, including the latest Acer CloudMobile S500, a 4.3-inch model based on a Qualcomm chip.

Acer has not yet responded to a request for comment.