After having spun-off its mobile handsets to BenQin 2001 tio focus on computer hardware, Taiwanese manufacturer Acer now plans launch to mobile phones based on Google's Android platform by the of this year.

Acer's Aymar de Lencquesaing said "Late 2009, we're releasing a smartphone... full touch, at the price of feature phones today."

It has recently joined the Open Handset Alliance, and as  a member of the alliance, it will work with other members to contribute to the development of the Android platform.

Acer said the alliance planned to bring consumers "a far better user experience than much of what is available on today's mobile platforms."

It plans to launch as many as nine models in 2009.

"By joining the Open Handset Alliance, Acer demonstrates its support for Android as an open mobile platform and its commitment to Android's commercial success," it said in a pres relase.

Acer said that Android is a complete and open mobile phone software stack, featuring an operating system, middleware and key mobile applications and includes everything a manufacturer or operator needs to build a mobile phone.

"Android was built from the ground-up to enable developers to create compelling mobile applications that take full advantage of all a handset has to offer," it added.

There are over 40 members in the Open Handset Alliance, including mobile operators, handset manufacturers, software companies, and semi-conductor companies.