Asus has promised to launch a smartphone before the year’s out, fuelling speculation that its much-rumoured Eee handset could soon see the light of day.

During a recent meeting with local Taiwanese media, Asus’ Chairman, Johnny Shih, and company President Jerry Shen both said that an Android smartphone will be unveiled by the firm this year, according to a report by DigiTimes.

Shih first confirmed plans to develop an Eee phone – named after Asus’ famous netbook PC range – back in January, but has never let slip any of the device’s technical specifications.

Shih and Shen also both reportedly said at the meeting that Asus will continue to develop materials and technologies that utilise "green energy". But it’s unclear at this stage if the firm will develop a green mobile akin to Samsung’s Blue Earth handset. ®