02 Jun 2004
Sony is to stop selling its Clie handheld device in Europe and the US.
Instead, the consumer electronics giant will focus on developing wireless and multimedia gaming devices that will incorporate much of the functionality of its current handheld.
Sony said that it will continue to manufacture the Clie handhelds in Japan, but is 'putting on hold' production in the European and US markets, which are favouring smartphones that offer both voice and data tools.
"It is partly due to the sales trends in these markets," a Sony spokesman told vnunet.com.
"Smartphone sales are going up quite rapidly and our sister company Sony Ericsson is doing a great job in this market."
Research conducted by analyst firm Canalys shows that smartphones represented 63 per cent of mobile devices shipped in EMEA during the first three months of 2004, up from 35 per cent a year earlier.
Handheld devices - like the Sony Clie - fell from 40 per cent of the total to 29 per cent during the same period.
"We are really looking at the market and how it will develop, but we will continue to provide support to our customers [in Europe and the US]," said the spokesman.
The manufacturer said that its decision would not affect relationships with operating system partners PalmSource and Symbian.
Latest stories from Hardware
Related videos
Related articles
Related jobs
Poll
What will be the biggest change to corporate technology in the future?
TFL director of Games transport Mark Evers discusses how the public transport network is preparing for this summer's event
Connect with V3.co.uk
The wrong printers, for the wrong tasks on the wrong contracts
Who leads the BI pack and who should we be watching out for?
HTML, CSS, Flash - Web Content Editor - Photoshop, Dreamweaver...
Biomass Programme Manager/Engineering/Supply Chain/Heavy...
Head of Compliance My client is currently seeking...
THis role is working for a multi national Financial organisation...
Keep up to date with the latest products, services and technologies from the world's leading IT companies. IThound.com brings you over 2,000 white papers, case studies and analyst reports.
Do you agree?