Acer to launch Windows Phone 7 smartphones later this year

So far, Dell, LG, Samsung, and HTC have all released Windows Phone 7 devices, and beyond their initial ten models, no other WP7 phones look to be in the pipeline, apart from Nokia’s promised low-cost and regular WP7 expected later this year.

Now, according to various reports, an Acer spokesperson confirmed that the company will be joining the five above manufacturers and start shipping its first WP7 smartphone by September or October this year. The news matches Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci’s statements late last year, when he said Acer was developing WP7 devices, and the potential of the platform: “If we look at Windows Phone 7, today, I think we see the same opportunity you can see on Android in terms of customisation.”

The timing is conspicuous, with the Japanese giant probably taking the wise decision of releasing their first WP7 device with the WP7 Mango update already on board.

Acer has recently enjoyed much limelight in the mobile world, introducing some new phone models at CES and MWC 2011, apart from some highly looked forward to Android and Windows 7 tablets.