Google CEO Eric Schmidt is set to visit Taiwan on November 9 to have a conference with Taiwan-based PC vendors and promote its Android operating system, according to sources from PC players.

The sources believe that the visit of Schmidt is meant to help Google maintain its relationship with PC vendors as their enthusiasm for Android tablets is weakening due to their products being outmatched by Apple's iPad, while fierce competition has seriously damaged the profitability of the devices.

Although Schmidt will only visit Taiwan for one day, executives of first-tier PC and smartphone players such as High Tech Computer (HTC), Acer, Asustek Computer, Quanta Computer and Compal Electronics have all already scheduled to have meetings with him.

As for Google's latest Android 4.0 operating system, Acer is already set to launch a tablet PC model - Iconia Tab A200 - to feature the software in early 2012, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

For CES 2012, Acer will expand its exhibition scale at the show with the leadership of the company chairman JT Wang and will showcase products such as tablet PCs, ultrabooks and Acer Cloud, the sources noted. However, Acer declined to comment about its plans for CES.

Sources from channel retailers also pointed out that Acer is changing its global marketing strategy and is returning its marketing focus back to international technology shows including IFA, CES and Computex. The company's product launch conferences will also no longer favor Europe and North America markets and will be evenly distributed between Europe, North America and Asia, the sources added.

Source:digitimes