Posted by luwi
WallStreet Journal reports that Sony Corp. is on its way to finish off the deal with Telefon AB L.M. Ericsson, which would make Sony the sole and primary shareholder of the Sony Ericsson joint venture.
Created back in 2001, the Sony Ericsson 50-50 joint venture is one of the world's leading mobile phone manufacturers (the 6th, actually) and has attracted many brand-loyal users through the years.
Sony's goal with this move is supposedly consolidating the R&D and manufacturing of mobile devices such as mobile phones, tablets, portable gaming consoles and personal computers to save on the costs and to improve their concurrent development.
The WSJ source is cited just as "people familiar with the matter" and we've seen both highly accurate predictions from WSJ, as well as complete flops, so we'll take this with a pinch of salt for now.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204294504576614830784818082.html#ixzz1a1gFFfXx
Posted by julias
Nooooo this can't happen!
Posted by Bonovox
So,it's definately 100% now??
This is already discussed in rumours but is not sure yet[ This Message was edited by: Bonovox on 2011-10-06 20:33 ]
Posted by luwi
it might be soon!
Posted by Bonovox
I am not even sure what to think yet. I loved Ericsson but Sony phones many years ago were crap. That maybe a different story now but the thought of no more Ericsson side of things is sad
Posted by etaab
Heh, yeah they were pretty boring and uninspiring. I wouldnt say crap, just clearly not a lot of thought had been put into Sony's phones.
Posted by hihihans
These rumours have been here always. But will anything really change if
became Sony? I'm not a techie but from what I read there are not much 
parts used in our phones.
Posted by masseur
you're joking? Ericsson phones were square and boring, Sony phones like the Z5, MZ5 and Z7 were stylish and ahead of their time with jog dial and music capabilities and memory stick expansion, and the J5 would let you create your own ringtones and wallpapers. I could go on...
Posted by lolstebbo
This might explain why @SEAnswers told me to keep my eyes peeled when I asked if they would make a NEX phone.
Posted by goldenface
Ericsson phones came across as a bit dull, although I suuppose they both had their strengths.
All my mates used to show off their Sony flip phones rather than flash their Ericsson's at ya.
The Z5/7 were cool as anything.
[ This Message was edited by: goldenface on 2011-10-06 21:21 ]
Posted by Bonovox
No not joking i hated 3 Sony phones i had. I know they started the corousel menu look Sony but i just remember not liking them. But as i said things would be different now with Sony phones so who knows it could be good and mean more Sony tech
Posted by adsada
Queue Sony and Ericsson fanboys to start arguing it out
Posted by tyko
Didn't Bert mention in an interview that SE will move closer to sony next year. Maybe he was hinting something..
Posted by Bonovox
T39 was the most stylish from Ericsson and T68. Sony z5/7 that was their best but i hated the j5. Lets just see what happens it could get interesting. If it changes to Sony Mobile would Esato change its name??
Posted by masseur
On 2011-10-06 22:27:00, Bonovox wrote:
snip... If it changes to Sony Mobile would Esato change its name??
no, of course not. if you've read any of the many (many) topics asking about the Esato name you would find out that it actually meant nothing. It was given meaning (in reverse) later on. See tranquils reply about this in this topic
Posted by Bonovox
Oh good glad of that then
Don't want it as SATO backwards ONLY TRUST A SONY 
or ESAT
Posted by masseur
btw, to state my opinion clearly... I never had an ericsson before the T68 but I had many Sony's.
I wasn't particularly happy and indeed was quite shocked when I heard about the joint venture, but shortly after the T68i was announced and it seemed that Sonys influence was already becoming apparant... but then the Z700 got cancelled and I started to be concerned.
Fortunately P800, P900, T610, K700, K800 etc came along and I was always fairly happy with the offerings but after the K850 I really lost interest in
and apart from flirting with a few models since (M600, P1) I've had no interest and went back to WM phones and now, of course, iPhone.
I'd be very interested to see what Sony would do on their own...
Posted by Bonovox
I would be too interested what Sony will come up with. It would also be interesting to see how Ericsson would fare too but with Sony tech I only see one winner here. The one thing I hated about some old Ericsson phones was the tiny screens
Posted by masseur
I would be very surprised if Ericsson went back into the mobile phone business on their own
Posted by Bonovox
Yeah,they have their network devision & such things anyway. If Ericsson went alone now many people would be saying "who". They would not with Sony. Everyone still says Sony when it's
phone so if Ericsson name was gone would the average consumer really notice?? I doubt it
Posted by goldenface
I'd be interested to see what comes along when Sony brings their mobile development in-house - Sony Mobile.
I'd be very surprised if Ericsson reappeared in high street stores - the market really is cut-throat.
Posted by Bonovox
Yes,it would be like starting over again for them. All the Sony branding will sell & what does Ericsson have that will make them sell??
Posted by adsada
On 2011-10-06 22:49:29, masseur wrote:
I would be very surprised if Ericsson went back into the mobile phone business on their own
Surely if sony does buy out ericsson, it would make sure it takes all their patents and stuff, effectively making it impossible for ericsson to do this. And they (hopefully) will stick with the name sony ericsson, if they do will they not by the name trademark as well?
Posted by bart
I would've preferred to seen it differently. But i can understand why Sony would do this.
I don't think Ericsson would restart making phones on their own, to bad actually.
About naming
phones, most people over here say Ericsson instead of Sony.
The only good thing Sony had to offer before the joint venture was the jogdial, but now with all those nice touch screens its out of date. I admit walkman branding helpt, and the camera modules where great.
But Memory stick was plain stupid, after they abandend UIQ and the P5 it all went down hill. Nothing new came to the market, half finished products, products that were out of date before they hit the market, overpriced products, poor pr campaigns. When a company ignores its loyal fans they will lose in the end.
Samsung was clever enough to read all our comments here and they are now the leading company.
I myself am not sure what i'll do. I still use my trust P1i. Had the X10 but sold it after a week, it was boring and the software wasn't finished yet. the neo is a nice phone, but abit over priced. I think i'll just wait for the last batch of phones under the name of
and then decide. Maby i'll just buy a half a dozen old phones and use them for the rest of my life.
Posted by Bonovox
Well,Amazon & Ebay still sell many older
phones still brand new. I am tempted by the w995 again
It's on GSM Arean now
www.gsmarena.com/sony_to_buy_[....]_mobile_business-news-3240.php
Posted by mustafabay
If Ericsson would want to get back into phone making on its own the smart thing would be to take the Apple model. Put vanilla Android on the flagship ST-Ericsson SoC and update it once a year. Unless this move means Sony will be able to pump more money into R&D and ultimately pull up along side HTC and Samsung, I don't see this making much difference. But then if Sony wants to be like Samsung with a model for every 0.2" of screen size between 4" and 10" I guess this move will really make sense.
Posted by julias
Comparing Ericsson and Sony is like comparing German and Japanese cars if you all know anything about cars then you will know which is best.
Posted by Bonovox
German cars
Posted by chunkybeats
No matter what happens i will continue to support Sony / Ericsson they are just different to everyone else and thats what i love about them!
Posted by julias
On 2011-10-07 00:32:00, Bonovox wrote:
German cars
Correct and its what makes Ericsson better at making phones than Sony.
Posted by Bonovox
How on earth did you work that out?? Just cos i think German cars are better than Japanese cars does it mean Ericsson are better than Sony?? Germans do have amazing engineering but Japanese have amazing technology. I think the Japs are amazing people. How they keep 99% of Tokyo standing after a massive earthquake. Japan has most of the best technology companies in the world. I may have prefered older Ericsson phones but you cannot compare Ericsson to a massive company like Sony. Yes they are partners but of very different backgrounds
_________________
We don't need money to have a good time!!!!
Xperia Play
EsatoWorld Papertour *Renewed!
[ This Message was edited by: Bonovox on 2011-10-07 01:10 ]
Posted by lolstebbo
On 2011-10-07 00:26:10, julias wrote:
Comparing Ericsson and Sony is like comparing German and Japanese cars if you all know anything about cars then you will know which is best.
One friend's 20 year old Camry was running well with no mechanical or electrical issues (past tense because friend totaled it in a crash that was his own fault) while my grandparents' Camry of the same age also has no mechanical or electrical issues.
Another friend's 190E of similar age has constant mechanical issues while his dad's much younger E350 has constant electrical issues.
Hm.
Posted by jplacson
Sigh... That means I'll be on the lookout for my next brand to be loyal to... I've owned only Ericsson's since 1998. Never liked Sony's stylings, they were too Anime/robotech for me. I hated it when Sony introduced the baby blue default color in Sony Ericsson... I hated that stupid left-handed only jog dial ... I hated the even dumber memory stick that kept all
products decades behind SD and MMC. I hated the TV remote designs that adopted when Sony came into the picture.
I am glad that the Xperia line looks more like Ericsson than Sony... I like the new aluminum frame the ray has which all Ericssons has before, that was a very distinct style trademark. I'm glad to not be using M2 sticks anymore... I'm glad that my P1i was the last device with that archaic jog dial. I'm glad that
has slowly removed the label-every-single-feature on the phone the way Sony does with their products...I'm not in an Adam West tv show.
In the Philippines, Sony never sold phones here so people know
as Ericsson... Even though phones are sold in Sony stores.
Right now,
is in a good upward slope.. As long as Sony doesn't muddy up the brand and it's just a legal buyout, then fine. But if they start monkeying around and bringing back the memory stick, and gundam kiddie styling... Then for the first time in almost 15 years, I will actually consider another brand.
This is not a Sweden vs Japan issue... I love Japanese quality and manufacturing. But their consumer electronic designs and UI have to mature a bit more beyond the Anime robot look they've all had since the 80's. Too cluttered, and ironically less "Zen". And please... NO MORE MEMORYSTICK!!!!!
Posted by Bonovox
Agreed there. The blue styling of the p800 reminded me of Fisher Price toys. Goodnight all
Posted by yuunanase
I would say
is it missing part in Sony. Would one expect phone functionality in tablet, PSV and walkman Z? Currently, the only thing can parise is the design department, development department is a joke.
I agree, P800 looks like a toy. Mine broke only after 1 drop. P900, on the other hand looks pro.
Posted by razec
In contrast to JPlacson, those out of this world styling applied by Sony was responsible for making them the only company known to make fresh designs without traces of copying (I would be happy to be corrected anytime if i'm wrong). I remember the island/chicklet keyboard that was used by Apple Macbooks started with Sony Vaio. Perhaps my age has something do do with my attraction to Sony designs which the elders find unconventional or unfitting (not saying that you guys are really old
) the NEX series for example redefines the way we see SLD cameras as the typical old school, DSLR mocking compacts with medium sized sensors
but just because they make something you won't find on another doesn't give them the privilege to price their products obscenely outrageous.
[ This Message was edited by: razec on 2011-10-07 04:32 ]
Posted by jplacson
hey razec, actually we have the same point.
although the "hi-tech" look that you think is new isn't... Sony (and other Jap manufacturers) have been using those designs since the 80s... so I am quite bored with them since they haven't changed.
no offense taken... for me, those designs ARE cool and all when you're 17... and I had those, when I was 17... but I'm not 17 anymore. The baby blue Fisher-Price look of the early
is fine if I was 6-years old.
Which is why I'm very happy with the Xperia line over the P800/P990 era which just looked like a fat TV remote control with buttons and labels everywhere. I like every single Xperia design they've released now! From the Neo, Play, etc... I think
has found a "look" that is distinctly ... enough tech to not look stuffy like , and enough elegance to not look like a spare Autobot part.
The Sony Vaio line is very nice, quite a departure from their other consumer electronics.
Posted by razec
Thanks kabayan, the only Sony product line i found really boring was the playstation family, none of them looked cool except for the first PS3 and PSP Go. Even PSVita doesn't look like a sony product to me. Sony Cybershots used to be unique (remember the F and L series) but nowadays they looked like the rest of their competitors. the T-series doesn't even have anything new design wise. thankfully the NEX series were made to the rescue. The VAIO line perfectly competes with the macbooks looks wise, though they weren't as cool as the toughbook imho
anyway i'm 22yrs old
so this explains why i really love "cool" things i don't see on others. I disliked the Vita design for it looks like a typical large screened smartphone from afar. the new dual screen android tablet is gorgeous imho.[ This Message was edited by: razec on 2011-10-07 05:56 ]
Posted by Dups!
I am not yet convinced this is going to happen but if it will then I'm going to be an Apple user alongside Blackberry.
I have used quite a few Ericsson phones and they are nothing like Sony phones. Those who know nothing or little about Ericsson phones will obviously think Sony was better. Not to make this longer but the very P800i was an Ericsson R380s- a monochrome touchscreen back in the days when other manufacturers were still stuck with non-touch phones. The SH888 was another marvel of a phone that James Bond would've been proud of.
Lastly, Ericsson will not sell Sony its patents, that is unlikely as me changing into a woman
Posted by HxH
On 2011-10-07 00:26:10, julias wrote:
Comparing Ericsson and Sony is like comparing German and Japanese cars if you all know anything about cars then you will know which is best.
Swedish cars ain't bad, I preferred Volvo.
And Christian von Koenigsegg do you know him?
I'm totally agreed with Dup!s that's
won't sell their patents, it's soul of the company as you said.[ This Message was edited by: HxH on 2011-10-07 07:50 ]
Posted by razec
On 2011-10-07 07:31:05, Dups! wrote:
Lastly, Ericsson will not sell Sony its patents, that is unlikely as me changing into a woman
I think it's more of a cross-licensing deal. yes
is not dumb enough to sell the byproduct of their great minds to a company that has questionable success in the mobile world. I still think would be much better in the hands of just imagine having canon sensors/lenses on your SE phone should the God of fate played his game.[ This Message was edited by: razec on 2011-10-07 07:57 ]
Posted by goldenface
I think either Sony or Ericsson now needs to step up and quash or confirm any talk of the buyout because any uncertainty surrounding the JV is not good for the loyal and fervent SE fanbase that already exists.
Firstly, Sony needs to manage this PR exercise perfectly as it could all go horribly wrong very easily.
Secondly, Sony needs to let people know the immediate and mid-term future of the JV.
I'm guessing the next earnings announcement on the14th(?) will be the one to watch. For all we know,
could announce that it is Business as Usual, show a small financial profit and announce a new bluetooth watch
Posted by HxH
Copied from rumour thread
Patents prey? I'm afraid.
Both have very good technology but unable to combined them together, iSad will continue without the end of tunnel in both tragic if this rumour become true!
Generally recognized as Sony standalone in this JV things but I don't think it will be going well if Sony buy out happen.
Samsung already overtaken most of Asian markets as well as HTC dominating American market and both doing well in penetrating to European market.
Sony still need Ericsson to defense it last fan-based (and know how & patents) in Europe which is reasonable strong.
Haven't count Apple iPhone which is flying high. Both firms need to combined their business together to stay in this business or both out!
...........................
if it correct and Sony going to make they own mobile division.
I wonder what company will responsible for their radio / communicator parts if not Ericsson the industry leading?
Qualcomm / Nvidia / TI you name it? ...... still far behind Ericsson know how in this kind of techonology
Even Samsung is using Ericsson Modem in their Galaxy 4G / Galaxy S2 except LTE version which still unknown information.
They just pull up more muscle into business do it work!!
[ This Message was edited by: HxH on 2011-10-07 10:29 ]
Posted by Indiandawg
I'll buy Ericsson phones!
Posted by goldenface
On 2011-10-07 12:17:58, Indiandawg wrote:
I'll buy Ericsson phones!
Where from?
Posted by masseur
from here?
Posted by goldenface
It would be a step back in time to see those phones for sale again on the high street, unless it was some retro fashion store.
I lost my prized CMD-MZ5 in a house fire, one of the very few left no doubt. Do you still have yours masseur?
Posted by Indiandawg
of course if Ericsson starts making mobile phones.
Posted by Dups!
On 2011-10-07 13:51:38, Indiandawg wrote:
of course if Ericsson starts making mobile phones.
I wouldn't hesitate one second also, I would buy an Ericsson if they were to come back. Sadly, though, it looks like we will be stuck with Sony only. I say this because I'm beginning to think that this is true. They are both too quiet for my liking. If by some stroke of fate Ericsson decides they are coming back then I will impatiently wait for them even if it takes long.
If this rumour of a buyout wasn't true SE/Ericsson/Sony would have responded by now, at least that's what I hope they would do in such a case.
Posted by argiriano
On 2011-10-07 13:51:38, Indiandawg wrote:
of course if Ericsson starts making mobile phones.
If Ericsson start making phones, they will definitely be smartphones and will future all high-end tech in house - state of the art SOC and modem chips in line with their own LTE chips... it would be just like dream come true, but we all know this is just our
fans dream.
I just start dreaming about
smartphone with 28nm dualcore NovaThor 9600 @ 2.5GHz and PowerVR 6th gen, plus ST-Ericsson own HSPA+ and LTE chips
They just need vanilla ICS, camera and display components.
What you think about something like that coming Q2 or Q3 2012?