AUSTIN, TX -- Dell will enter the smartphone market, continuing the PC-cellphone crossover launched by Apple and furthered by Nokia.

According to a pair of analysts, Dell will launch a smartphone in China by the end of the year, Reuters reported.

Dell has thus far declined comment.

The PC maker, the second largest in the world behind H-P, is supposedly teaming with Hon Hai (Foxconn) subsidiary Chi Mei Communications. Foxconn is a major manufacturer of Dell PCs.

A spokeswoman for Red Office, a software company, said the company is in "preliminary development" of the Dell smartphone operating system, Reuters said.

The phone will be introduced in China, and then launched in the US and Europe, the reports said.

Apple was the first major PC maker to develop a cellphone, and Nokia has indicated plans to build low-cost netbook PC.

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