Lenovo entering new product category

The world's largest maker of computer chips for mobile phones has offered analysts a peek at Lenovo's new "smart book" -- a cross between a smart phone and a stripped-down laptop.

Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs said at an investor conference in New York on Thursday that the Chinese computer maker's new gadget will be officially launched in January at the Consumer Electronics Show, several news outlets reported. Lenovo has a headquarters in Morrisville, where it employs 1,500 workers.

Lenovo's smart book will be powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon chip and will be positioned as an alternative to consumers who rely on smart phones for e-mail, according to Bloomberg News.

Qualcomm previously has said that more than a dozen other computer makers, including Acer and Samsung, have signed up to use Snapdragon.

The name and price of Lenovo's device wasn't disclosed.

The gadget is slimmer than the typical smart phone and appeared to be not much larger than Jacobs' hand, yet features a high-definition screen and keyboard that Qualcomm describes as full-sized, according to Forbes.

Jacobs said that AT&T has agreed to sell Lenovo's smart book, according to IDG News Service.

 Lenovo spokeswoman Kristy Fair confirmed that the company is planning a smart book but said the company isn't providing other details at this time.