Reports hint at Sony assault on Apple

Sony Ericsson is heavily involved in Sony's rumoured new products

Sony is readying a range of consumer devices in an attempt to take on Apple, according to reports in The Wall Street Journal.

The company is apparently working on a smartphone capable of playing downloadable games, and a multifunction device that could be similar to the iPad.

The report quoted "people familiar with the matter" as saying that Sony is working with Sony Ericsson on the new smartphone.

"While the capital structure of the 50-50 joint venture hasn't changed, Sony is taking a more active role in developing handsets for the partnership because of how central smartphones are becoming to the company's overall strategy," said The Wall Street Journal.

Nobuo Kurahashi, a consumer electronics analyst at Japanese brokerage Mizuho Investors Securities, is quoted as saying: "That's the vision, but it's still not quite clear what specific steps Sony will take to achieve that, especially when the iPad and other highly capable mobile devices are crowding the market."

Sony Ericsson declined to confirm or deny the report, saying that it does not comment on speculation.

"We are always working on different things, and there are a whole lot of things going on internally. We are always looking at expanding our range, but will not comment on unannounced products," a spokeswoman added.