The Nikkei business daily published a report indicating Sony is developing a new mobile phone-game hybrid device aimed at competing with the popular Apple iPhone and iPod devices.
Japanese media reports state Sony will put together a project team as early as next month to help better evaluate how a hybrid game device can be developed between Sony and Sony Ericsson. Sony Ericsson, a joint venture between Sony and Ericsson, offered the idea of a PlayStation-branded mobile phone, but was reportedly denied trademark rights earlier in 2009.
I would honestly look forward to seeing what kind of hybrid gaming phone Sony can develop, except I don't want to imagine how much the device may cost.
Sony has had recent trouble marketing products at price points obviously more than what consumers are willing to spend. The Sony gaming business has had to cut jobs and slash prices on its PlayStation 3 console and PlayStation Portable (PSP) as the global economy continues to hurt its business unit.
The days of using a mobile phone just for phone calls has been dead for quite some time now, as more owners are using the devices for listening to music, watching movies, and playing video games. Many of the top selling apps through the popular Apple app store are video games iPhone owners can play while lounging around.
The company must adapt to a new gaming market in which consumers want to play games while on the go, but must do so at a fair price.
If Sony does create a new hybrid phone/gaming unit, is it something you'd be interested in purchasing?
