• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Sony to Pull Out of Pocket Computer Markets

Posted on: Tuesday, 1 June 2004, 06:00 CDT

PARIS (AFP) -- Sony Corp said it will pull out of all its Personal Digital Assistant (PDA, or pocket computers) markets around the world except Japan, to concentrate on wirelessly connected devices that can play movies, games and music.

"Sony is reassessing the direction of the conventional PDA market and Sony will not introduce any new Clie handheld models in the United States and Europe this fall," the group's French unit said.

In San Francisco, a Sony spokeswoman told CBS MarketWatch that "Sony continues to view mobile devices as a key pillar to our core business growth strategy.

"We will continue to provide our customers with an environment where they can enjoy movies, games and music on a device that is easy to carry anywhere at the same time."

She said Sony views wireless communications as an important feature on mobile devices and will continue to develop in this direction, including continued collaboration with Sony Ericsson, its joint venture with Swedish mobile phone maker Ericsson.

"Product development and sales continue for the Japanese market only. Sony is taking this time to examine the conventional PDA business and how it will transition into the future," she said.

-----

On the Net:

Sony Corp.

More science, space, and technology from RedNova

Copyright © 2004 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AFP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of Agence France Presse.

More News in this Category