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Sony Buys Ericsson

Sony Buys Ericsson

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Sony and Ericsson have been best buddies since 2001, when they joined forces in a venture aptly called “Sony Ericsson.” Well, this week Sony announced that it would take full control over Ericsson, which means that “Sony Ericsson” will simply be called “Sony.”

The deal, worth about $1.5 billion, would put Sony in the unique position to integrate their smartphone, video game, and consumer electronic lines. Howard Stringer, CEO at Sony, had this to say: “It’s the beginning of something which I think is quite magical. We can more rapidly and more widely offer consumers smartphones, laptops, tablets, and televisions that seamlessly connect with one another and open up new worlds of online entertainment.”

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For gamers, this means that we should see some of that smartphone technology integrated into our video game hardware. We’re already starting to see it in the Xperia Play, but Sony has been timid in pairing their gaming department with the Ericsson brand. “The Xperia Play device is a good example of how Sony has been reluctant to fully provide its own brand into the Sony Ericsson joint venture,” said Pete Cunningham, principal analyst at Canalys, a multinational research firm.

Sony expects to complete the takeover in January. So keep your fingers crossed for some new gear in 2012.

By Josh Engen

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