The Taiwanese company recently joined forces with another PDA-phone maker, High Tech Computer (HTC), taking the company on as its strategic partner.

Jack Tong, Dopod International CEO, said the company plans to integrate its businesses into one concept under a single operation, brand, product and team.

It hopes to offer more effective working procedures and marketing strategies to partners and customers.

Tong said that as part of the rebranding strategy, the company had launched a new logo propelling Dopod's vision to deliver a unique mobile communication experience to consumers in the region and worldwide.

Made up of five circles and three dots, the logo symbolises Dopod's emphasis on brand, technology, product, content and service.

"The change is expected to extend our leadership in communication devices across the region. With this new branding, we will move customers towards a new truly Enjoy Mobility concept," said Tong.

He added the company plans to ship about one million units across the Asia-Pacific region by the end of the year. It also plans to set up a regional hub in Singapore to oversee this market.

"We hope to gain around 40 per cent of the market for high-end smart phones and PDA devices in the region," he said.

Moreover, the company also recently launched two new devices: the Dopod 838 pro and the Dopod 595.

The 838pro is the first power-packed 3G slide PDA-phone and the 595 is the first Windows Mobile 3G smart phone.

He said the firm sets aside 5 per cent of its revenue for research and development each year, and plans to introduce two to three new products on the market every quarter.

For the Thai market, Dopod International (Thailand) country sales manager Nattawat Woranopakul said the firm would this year focus on expanding  distribution channels. It hopes to more than double its number of partners and resellers, from 200 to 500, by the end of the year to expand its customer base.

Jirapan Boonnoon

 The Nation