In an interview with German newspaper "Welt Online", Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony speaks about the future of Sony but also about a possible future of Sony Ericsson and this future might not be as bright as the past was. When Sony and Ericsson merged as Sony Ericsson, Sony brought its design and media competence into the new venture while Ericsson brought is technical know-how and both together created some exciting phones, except the not so successful Symbian-based UIQ smartphone line. Anyway, it looks like Howard Strigner isn't happy with the current situation of Sony Ericsson and while he hasn't mentioned to either leave the joint venture or to take it over, the interview shows that he's thinking about Sony Ericsson's future:

Welt Online: In some areas you are in joint ventures. With the mobile phone manufacturer Sony Ericsson it does fluctuates downwards. Wouldn't it time to separate from Ericsson ?
Stringer: Certainly it was a difficult year, but it's never easy to buyout a partner.

Welt Online: So you think about it?
Stringer: One of the most important features in the digital age is to be quick, and it's difficult to be as quick in a joint venture like in your own company. You are always in discussions and negotiations. We constantly discuss with Ericsson how to make Sony Ericsson as successful as possible.

Welt Online: Will Sony Ericsson be there in three years?
Stringer: We need to cooperate as we did two years ago. Or the joint venture has to find its own solution.

Welt Online: That was diplomatically.

Let's see how Sony Ericsson's future develops and maybe, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 can contribute something positive but IMHO Sony Ericsson went a similar way like Motorola did with the main problem that the company was too focused on Walkman and Cybershot mobiles.

Cheers ~ Arne

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