Dopod International is expected to ship 600,000-700,000 smartphones and PDA phones this year, accounting for 60-70% of its 2006 target, according to company president Jack Tong.

Since Dopod is undergoing consolidation with High Tech Computer (HTC), the company has temporarily suspended plans to venture into the markets in Russia and the Middle East, resulting in a setback in overseas shipments, Tong explained.

Despite the setback, the company recently has received orders for 3G handsets from Australia-based Hutchison, according to a November 2 Chinese-language Commercial Times report.

With the November 2 launch of its new GPS-enabled PDA phone, the P800W, in the Taiwan market, Dopod expects its total shipments for the Taiwan market will reach 100,000 units in 2006, Tong said.

The Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE P800W, which also features photo navigation and sharing functionality, carries a suggested retail price of NT$23,800 (US$715), according to the company.

Source- http://www.digitimes.com