Dell designs smartphones

Dell is preparing to enter the cellphone arena as early as next month, to increase sales as its crumbling PC business struggles in the recession, writes Mobiledia.

The world's second-biggest maker of PCs has had a group of engineers designing prototypes for more than a year from an office in the Chicago area, focusing on smartphones built on Google's Android operating system and Microsoft's Windows Mobile software.

One model features a touch-screen but no physical keyboard, similar to Apple's iPhone.

Apparently, Nokia just can't wait for the coming GSMA World Congress, reports CNet.

In late January, the Finns introduced three new phones: the 2700 Classic, the 6303 Classic, and the 6700 Classic.

The three GSM models all sport candy-bar designs, but vary a bit in functionality.

Taiwan-based computer firm Acer - which ranks among the world's top five branded PC vendors - is planning to enter the smartphone market, with its first phones to be shown at this month's Mobile World Congress, states Cellular News.

The firm's entry in the exhibitor list reads: "Acer recently received worldwide acclaim with the development of the award-winning Aspire One, a truly portable netbook built with easy connectivity in mind.

“Now Acer enters the smart handheld market, with an exciting range of easy-to-use devices designed to offer phone capability, simple one-hand usability and complete connectivity."