Rumor: Sony Ericsson To Drop HTC For Taiwanese Mobinnova

Sony Ericsson plans to outsource its second Windows Mobile-based smartphone to Taiwan-based Mobinnova, a handset maker under Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), instead of cooperating with its current production partner High Tech Computer (HTC), according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report. Sony Ericsson is still going to be expanding its lineup of Windows Mobile devices, but it will not be doing so with HTC, the paper quoted sources as saying. Instead, once the Xperia X1–Sony Ericsson’s only Windows Mobile handset right now–ends its business cycle, the company will switch to Mobinnova as its production partner.

Pictured above is the flagship phone of the Mobinnova company, named ICE. Some of the features are very Sony-esque, which you can read more about in this informative PDF.

Department Of Justice Clears Sony In SRAM Price Fixing

In response to press inquiries, Sony Corporation has confirmed that Sony Electronics Inc. received a letter from the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice stating that its investigation with respect to static random access memory (or SRAM) business is now closed. The DOJ had subpoenaed Sony – along with many other companies – back in 2006 for alleged price fixing in the static RAM (SRAM) market.

Sony Issues The 21, 22, And 23 Series Unsecured Bonds In Japan

Sony Corporation announced today that it has determined the terms of three tranches of straight bonds in Japan in the total principal amount of 37.5 billion yen to be issued under its domestic bond shelf registration. The unused maximum aggregate principal amount under the shelf registration is 300 billion yen and the shelf registration’s period of effectiveness ends on June 27, 2010. Sony intends to use the proceeds of the issues for the redemption of corporate bonds.

Read more about this at Sony Investor Relations.

Sony Music And Project Playlist Hook Up

Project Playlist, Inc., the leading social media network where music fans discover, create, and share playlists today announced an agreement with Sony Music that will provide its users direct access to Sony Music’s extensive digital music library of audio and video. By adding Sony Music’s rich catalog to its service, Project Playlist will enhance fans’ social networking and discovery experience, and ultimately increase the distribution and digital commerce of music content online.

Project Playlist will provide instant access to Sony Music’s audio and video content including today’s popular artists, catalog classics, and new emerging talent – which will increase user choice and music quality. Project Playlist has become one of the Web’s most popular services where fans can connect with their favorite artists as well as share, discover and purchase music online. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to enter into this content agreement with Project Playlist,” commented Thomas Hesse, President of Global Digital Business, U.S. Sales, and Corporate Strategy for Sony Music Entertainment. “We are excited about the company’s efforts to create an attractive user experience around music discovery and support its plan to enhance its free streaming and playlist management service with new opportunities to drive commerce.”

“Collaborating with Sony Music is a significant milestone in our effort to improve the access and quality of content on Project Playlist, and enhance the overall user experience,” said Jeremy Riney, founder of Project Playlist. “We hope that we soon will be able to provide our users with ready access to even more of the music they want in the way that they want it.”

Project Playlist is one of the fastest growing Web sites and most popular widgets on the Internet, according to market research company comScore, with more than 40 million users*. The service provides music fans with the ability to easily discover digital music, build custom playlists, and share with anyone, anywhere on the Web.

Voice Chat Returns To Playstation Home

Amazon Offering Attractive Sony Walkman Discounts

Through December 27, Amazon is offering big discounts on select Sony Walkman MP3 players. The 8 GB and 4 GB players (NW-ZE438/6F) – available in four colors – let you listen to music, watch videos, and look at photos on the 2-inch color LCD. Amazon is selling the 8GB NW-ZE438 model for $99, while the NW-ZE436 is on sale for $69. Also on sale are the 2 GB and 1 GB players (NW-ZB135/3F) that feature a built-in USB plug for easy transferring of MP3 and WMA files. Don’t miss these great savings!

Sony New Zealand Launches Vaio Teaser Site

Sony New Zealand has launched a new Vaio teaser website that hints at an official Sony announcement on January 9th. This could be the announcement of the new Netbook Sony is reported to be developing that was spotted on the FCC website. However, we will find out in 17 days, eh?

“On the 9th of January you will change the way you look at laptops. Forever.”

That’s a pretty bold statement!

Stormtroopers Like The Sony Rolly

I can’t remember where I found this, but I thought it was a fun picture worth sharing..

Sony Declares Death to the Clamshell

Sony heard the voice of customers who are frustrated with the so-called “clamshell” packages used for many consumer electronics products like headphones and portable music players that hang on racks in the large discount stores and other retailers.  Many of these retailers prefer them because the products are clearly displayed while being protected from theft.

Rick Clancy writes, “However, I know consumers, including myself, get annoyed about how difficult they are to open. In fact, they typically can’t be opened without the use of a sharp device of some kind.

Sony is working on the matter and I expect we will have a new alternative to announce soon.  But in the meantime, I thought you’d get a kick out of this video clip we produced as part of a longer presentation shown internally at our last Sony Electronics business conference.”

Christmas At The Sony Center In Berlin, Germany

Here are some holiday pictures (click for larger version) of the Sony Center in Berlin, Germany. In the early 20th Century, the area was originally a bustling city center. After World War II, the area suffered a sharp decline and was eventually left abandoned. As part of a redevelopment effort for the area, the center was constructed. The center was designed by Helmut Jahn and construction was completed in 2000 at a total cost of US$800M. In February 2008 Sony sold Berlin’s Sony Center for less than US$880 to a group of German and US investment funds, including investment bank Morgan Stanley, Corpus Sireo and an affiliate of The John Buck Company. Sony Center contains a mix of shops, restaurants, a conference centre, hotel rooms, luxurious rented suites and condominiums, offices, art and film museums, cinemas, an IMAX theater, and a SonyStyle store. Free Wi-Fi connections are available for all visitors.

The Sony Center is located near the Berlin Potsdamer Platz railway station for easy walking accessibility. A large shopping centre is nearby, as is a myriad of hotels, the Deutsche Bahn central offices, and an office building featuring the fastest lift in Europe.

Pictures courtesy flickr, from user Frankinho.