We've been following
PSP Phone rumors since 2006,
forever on a tech timeline. A device we figure to be in-line with the natural
evolution of mobile gaming and by the fact that Sony already licenses its
Bravia and
Cyber-shot brands for use on other Sony Ericsson phones. Not so fast buster.
Mobile Today (citing "several sources close to the matter") is reporting that Sony Ericsson has been refused the use of the PlayStation brand by Sony Corp. after pitching the business case in December. A spokesperson for Sony Ericsson wouldn't comment directly on the matter but did say, "In the past, we have been keen that our product proposition lives up to brand promise, and we feel at the moment the technical specs are not high enough to put such a prestigious brand on a phone." With Sony Ericsson posting a massive $346 million dollar loss today compared to the $95 million expected, well, maybe Sony's wisdom shouldn't be questioned. Then again, Sony's
not doing much better.
[Thanks, Matthew A.]
Read -- Sony refuses to license PlayStation brand
Read -- Sony Ericsson slips into the red
posted Jan 16th 2009 5:48AM
Interesting. When I talked to a Sony Ericsson VP at last year's CES, she was the one saying that her company wasn't ready to try to create a smartphone that could live up the PlayStation name. What a difference a year makes.
I suspect the success of the iPhone as a mobile gaming console has convinced Sony Ericsson that now is the time to come out with a competitor. I wonder if Sony disagrees, of if it just wasn't impressed with Sony Ericsson's proposed design.
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Ed Hardy
http://www.brighthand.com