Archive for the ‘interview’ Category

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Sony Ericsson Keeping Win Phone 7 Options Open

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

There has been a fair amount of speculation as to Sony Ericsson’s plans regarding Windows Phone 7. At one point there was even a  rumour that a handset was in the works. However, that certainly doesn’t seem to be the case according to an interview Sony Ericsson’s head of amrketing, Steve Walker, gave to Pocket-lint.

In the interview Mr Walker essentially said that Sony Ericsson was doing pretty much nothing with Windows Phone 7 at the moment other than keeping its options open.

We’ve done a lot of work with Microsoft over the years. We’ve launched a number of 6.xx products, but we made a decision not to bring a product to market in the first wave. We absolutely maintain to keep an open mind towards Windows Phone 7. We continue to engage in a relationship with Microsoft, but we haven’t made any concrete announcement about when and how we would introduce Windows Phone 7 into the portfolio.

We shouldn’t limit ourselves to one opportunity, but we aren’t yet ready to make any specific announcement about products. At this moment in time, there is clearly a galvanizing within the industry around Android as a creditable alternative to what’s out there, and we think that’s a good thing.

Android is a clear and proven seller, customers want it and it has a firm place in the minds of the public. The same can’t be said of Windows Phone 7 … yet. It’s also worth pointing out that Sony Ericsson is a relatively small player in the grand scheme of things, they simply don’t release the same volume of high-end handsets that Samsung, for example, does. Hence pretty much every product from Sony Ericsson has to do well and they can’t really afford to take a gamble like that at the moment. At least that’s what the thinking at Sony Ericsson seems to indicate.

[via Pocket-lint]

Posted in Windows Phone 7, interview | 5 Comments »

Sony Ericsson Admits 2010 Mistakes, Says 2011 Will Be Better

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

Pocket-lint managed to sit down with Sony Ericsson’s acting head of global marketing. Steve Walker, for an interview at CES and it threw up some frank admissions of mistakes made in 2010, but also a claim that 2011 will show Sony Ericsson have learnt from those mistakes.

A little background first; 2010 was the year Sony Ericsson first got into the Android game and it kicked off with the X10, the company’s flagship product for the year. However, the X10 proved to be less successful than Sony Ericsson would have hoped for.

This failing, Walker says, was down to Sony Ericsson not being able to predict what the market would be like in 2010 when the products were first put on the drawing board back in 2008:

It’s important to remember that 2010 was the first year for mass market Android handsets. Yes there had been one or two things out from HTC previously, but when we started to design our 2010 handsets in 2008, nobody really knew the dynamics of the Android smartphone market or even what the smartphone market was going to be.

That’s a fair point, but it is worth pointing out that both HTC and Samsung managed considerable success with Android in 2010. Why not Sony Ericsson?

One of the X10’s biggest problems was the hardware, put simply it wasn’t up to scratch when compared with products from other manufacturers and Sony Ericsson tried to cut the corner in this regard by pursuing a policy of using software updates to compensate for a lack of hardware features. Walker admits that hardware was not the priority in 2010:

We talked a lot about the platform and the software. The hardware was important but the hardware played second fiddle. What we think is different in 2011 is that consumer attention is swinging back to hardware once more. That’s not to say people aren’t focused on software, but that they are a little more in balance now.

If the decision to marginalise hardware was a mistake then the decision to go with an outdated version of Android and the poor update cycle that followed can only be described as a critical failing and the reaction from customers seems to have genuinely surprised Sony Ericsson:

Last year we didn’t anticipate the strength of feeling that consumers would have towards the Android release. And again that was a learning experience of the first year of mass market Android smartphones.

It’s easy to focus on these shortcomings, but more importantly we should focus on the fact that Sony Ericsson is owning up to them and saying that “As we do every year, we’ve taken those learnings and applied them to the new products in the new portfolio. We do think we’ve taken a big step forward for 2011“.

Sony Ericsson have more devices to announce this year of course, the Xperia arc was just the first, but crucially Walker says that these new devices will be launched with lessons learnt from 2010. Rather than burying their head in the sand Sony Ericsson seems to be genuinely trying to get it right this time around. Let’s all hope they do.

[via pocket-lint]

Posted in android, interview, xperia | 11 Comments »

UK MD Interview – 16 New Phones for 2010

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Sitting drinking my coffee this morning I spotted a rather interesting interview given to Mobile Today by Nathan Vautier. Who is he some of you may ask? He’s Sony Ericsson’s head honcho in the UK & Ireland. The interview proved to be pretty interesting so I’ll give you the jist of it and cover some of the juicier points. The two main themes of the interview were essentially what SE would be doing this year and what they intended to do about the infamous quality control problems that have dogged them for the past year or so.

On the first point Mr Vautier was able to approach the question from a position of strength,. He made mention of the ‘Fab 5′ of course and reaffirmed that the X10 and Vivaz were key launch products for SE. He also mentioned that there would be a total of 16 new devices released in the UK & Ireland this year (including the Fab 5). That means we still have another 11 to go. Of course a number of them probably won’t be super high-end devices, indeed Mr Vautier made it clear that the Walkman brand was here to stay when he said that there would be a number of Walkman products from around the middle of the year and that they would be in the £100 range. That would indicate somewhere in the mid-range of the market.

Mr Vautier was also keen to point out that the overall portfolio this year, including some handset from last year, would be 26 handsets, which he hailed as a major reduction. This ties in with some opening remarks he made about how SE wasn’t going after market share or numbers. Of course they aren’t really in a position to go after marketshare or numbers at the moment, so there’s a bit of spin here, but the basic idea is sound.

In terms of quality Mr Vautier gave the answer that was pretty much expected of him … SE are taking steps to improve the situation. He gave some examples of how they’re doing that such as cutting the number of components they use to improve testing efficiency and restructuring their KPI system (key performance indicator) so that it focused on qualitative issues. He was eager to stress just how much work SE had done over the past 18 months to address the issues, but the proof is in the pudding as the saying goes. It’s easy enough to spot comments from concerned customers over upcoming products like the X10 so SE really do have to get these new handsets right first time to restore some of the confidence and trust they’ve lost.

You can read the full interview here.

Posted in Opinion, corporative, interview, market-share | No Comments »

Google “please build the Nexus One”, Sony Ericsson “No!”

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Sony Ericsson CEO, Bert Nordberg, has given an interview to Swedish site sydsvenskan.se in which he mentioned several things such as Play Now Arena allegedly having 45 million customers (I can only assume that’s “potential” customers and not those actually using the service) and that SE have discussed the use of Windows Mobile 7 with Microsoft but the most surprising piece of information is related to Google and the Nexus One.

Nordberg admits that Google approached Sony Ericsson with an offer for them to manufacture the Nexus One before asking HTC, in his infinite CEO wisdom he turned them down! That’s right, Sony Ericsson could have been the manufacturer of the highest profile Android device to hit the market to date but apparently felt they don’t need such an affiliation. Nordberg cited preservation of the Sony Ericsson brand as the reason behind this decision but was it a good one?

Android gets a lot of press at the moment as it continues to gather momentum and the “Google Phone” was talked about as much as anything on the internet. Now it has finally come to light as the Nexus One, is the brand recognition exclusively Google or do we all clearly know that it is produced by HTC? Have HTC suffered from a diminished reputation as an independent manufacturer or gained more brand awareness than ever before? Have they been unable to produce devices under their own moniker? We certainly do know that the Sony Ericsson brand isn’t exactly at it’s peak right now and this could have been a chance for them to establish themselves as the premier Android manufacturer…any guess who would currently be regarded as that? Personally I think that Sony Ericsson would have benefited from such a high profile collaboration, especially seeing as they are currently basing so much of their future success on Android. Being known as the manufacturer of choice for Google would only boost the reputation of Sony Ericsson’s other devices and keep them in pole position to take advantage if Google’s plan really pays off.

Perhaps then it was Google’s new approach on distribution that was the real problem, Nordberg also said:

“It would be in itself an alternative way out to the market but we’d rather by their own efforts on the important U.S. market”

On this angle I’d have to agree. The Nexus One hasn’t set the world on fire in terms of sales figures and that’s quite probably due to the limited global availability and lack of any presence of the device in good, old fashioned shops. The online distribution model is not necessarily a bad one but Google needs to get the device out there to be seen and wanted by more customers, not just the loyal followers of tech savvy blogs, before turning to online only means. However, is the distribution of the Nexus One inhibiting HTC’s success elsewhere? I would say not, the Hero is selling well and of course the hardware developed for the Nexus One is soon to be released in it’s non-Google form as the HTC Desire, arguably an improved device, and who benefits from that?

Ultimately it seems bizarre that a struggling company would turn down an opportunity such as this. The benefits seem to clearly outweigh the potential costs and I don’t see HTC posting €160 million losses each quarter! Sony Ericsson need a new direction but perhaps they are afraid to actually take a different route, time to stop talking Bert and actually turn this company around.

Source: sydsvenskan.se | (English translation)

Mik

From Unofficial Sony Ericsson Blog: http://blog.se-nse.n…ny-ericsson-no/

Tags: , ,
Posted in android, interview | 17 Comments »

CEO Says SE Needs Better & More Expensive Handsets!

Monday, October 19th, 2009

SE’s new chap at the top, Bert Nordberg, is increasingly looking to be someone that is going to do some ass kicking at Sony Ericsson. Why do I say this? Well let’s look at an interview he recently gave to a Swedish website. In the interview Mr Nordberg made some comments that should give Sony Ericsson’s beleaguered customers a little bit of hope that we may at last, at long last, be seeing the company turn in the right direction.

For one Mr Nordberg wants to see Sony Ericsson return to profitability by next year. That’s a bold statement to make considering the losses the company has sustained over the past year ad the fact that the global economic recovery is still in its early days. Indeed the website conducting the interview made a point to note that most analysts are still looking at 2011 before SE can once again turn a profit. At any rate it’s a sign that Mr Nordberg is aiming high at least.

Next on his list is to cut the number of managers at Sony Ericsson. He says he wants a ‘flatter’ structure, most likely meaning a lot less bureaucracy (which if you’ve ever dealt with Sony Ericsson you will know can be headache inducing).  It’s also about economics though, reducing the number of managers will save Sony Ericsson money. As you may recall Sony Ericsson has already implemented job cuts, with more than 2,000 jobs already having gone. It’s never a good thing when someone loses their job of course, but hopefully these measures see the company turn a profit again all the sooner and enable them to start creating jobs again.

Mr Nordberg saved the best for last though when he talked about the main road to profitability …better and more expensive handsets! His actual statement being:

We should spend more on advanced phones and raise the average selling price … We will not chase market share by selling 25 dollar phones in India

It almost brings a tear to your eye. It actually sounds like the Sony Ericsson of old again. It looks like the big bold handsets that enter the market to kick ass are coming back thanks to a CEO who, as I said, looks to be kicking some ass too with his call for “swift and decisive action”.

[di.se via se-blog.com]

Read the interview here (Swedish) and here (English translation).

Posted in corporative, future, interview | No Comments »

Sony Ericsson video Q&A and X1 video demo

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

A very interesting video Q&A with Sony Ericsson’s President, Hideki Komiyama, and Rikko Sakaguchi, Senior Vice President and Head of Portfolio & Proposition at Sony Ericsson, was posted at Trace and Matt’s Blog. Komiyama tells that they’re definitely working on innovative products and that they’re aware of their problems. It’ll take three to four months (and yeah, we agree!). Also, Rikko Sakaguchi tells that they know that they cannot keep on segmenting products, and he even comments on the JavaOne video on YouTube. That made me giggle a bit :-)

YouTube Preview Image

Also, a comprehensive video demo of the X1 was posted. Check it out!

YouTube Preview Image

By the way, if you’re wondering what’s happening with the various embedded Sony Ericsson applications on USEB, that’s simply a part of SE’s blogger and community outreach. They’re also going to set up a number of competitions for both readers and blog authors, so keep an eye out on this place. If you’ve got dreams of starting your own SE blog, now would be a good time to do it, too :-) They’re really doing a great job keeping up with the web communities nowadays, latest with the launch of Xperiancers.com.

Via: Tracy and Matt’s Blog

Posted in interview, preview, upcoming, useb, videos, x-series, xperia | 8 Comments »

Uncertainty for Sony Ericsson

Friday, August 29th, 2008

In an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt Sony CEO Howard Stringer has hinted that Sony may be contemplating a buyout of Sony’s  joint mobile venture with Ericsson.

When asked whether it was time for Sony to end the venture with Ericsson Mr Stringer responded:

It’s certainly been a difficult year, but, buying out a partner is never an easy thing.

A buyout wouldn’t be unprecedented given that Sony is currently buying out its joint music venture with BMG. Mr Stringer seemed to offer an explanation for a possible buyout, namely that he feels Sony Ericsson isn’t as ‘nimble’ as it could be given the need for Sony and Ericsson to consult one another over how the company is run rather than if the company was wholly run by Sony.

Most telling of all though was Mr Stringer’s answer to the question of whether or not Sony Ericsson will be around in three years time:

We have to work together again as we did two years ago or the joint venture will have to find its own solution.

When the interviewer comments that it’s a diplomatic answer, the response from Mr Stringer is that it was intended to be.

It’s these last comments that, in my opinion, really bring home the idea that all is not well with Sony Ericsson. Mr Stringer clearly thinks something has to change at Sony Ericsson, and that something appears to be communication. The question is though, how and why did communication between Sony and Ericsson break down? Why aren’t they working together like they used to?

If Sony did decide to buyout Ericsson it wuld be an enormous risk, after all we shouldn’t forget why they partnered with Ericsson in the first place. On the other hand, if Sony Ericsson continues to do poorly might Sony decide that it just isn’t worth it and pull out entirely?

via digg

Posted in corporative, interview, news | 54 Comments »

Sony Ericsson: 10 percent market growth in 2008

Monday, June 23rd, 2008


“I (SE) giant leaps”

In an interview with Reuters, Sony Ericsson’s head of global marketing, James Marshall, said that Sony Ericsson sees a growing demand in mobile phones in the second quarter and second half of this year. He also goes to explain the economic downturns during the first quarter of the year.

- We had a slightly slower start to the year due to some economic downturn in Western Europe and due to overstocking in channels in Q4, which meant inventories were higher going into 2008. That was a short-term issue, said James Marshall in an interview with Reuters.

What’s good, though, is that it seems Sony Ericsson’s new strategy of manufacturing low/mid-tier phones, especially for the entry-level markets, seems to be going by plan, and Sony Ericsson remains optimistic about their goal of gaining a 10 percent market growth in 2008.

- Projections for this quarter and the second-half of 2008 looks strong — that’s why we can keep the 10 percent growth projections, Marshall told Reuters.

For more details on Sony Ericsson’s rather massive profits dip in the first quarter of 2008, you can read the official press release – you can find it here.

Via: Reuters

Posted in article, corporative, interview, market-share | 2 Comments »

Sony Ericsson: “A unique user experience for all”

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

We’ve had a chat with Kenneth Møller, National Account Manager, Sony Ericsson Denmark and Iceland, about today’s announcements as well as some general phones talk. Here’s what he had to say :-)

Q. The new C905 Cyber-shot features an 8-mega pixel camera – was that a necessary step?

A. The amount of mega pixels is one of many factors we’re continuously working with to get the best image quality. With the C905 you can even share your photos via DLNA to i.e. your TV or Playstation 3 and thereby show the photos in a large size. This is where the amount of mega pixels makes a considerable difference.

Q. An important factor when it comes to mobile phone cameras, high resolutions and alike, is the size of the camera sensor. Any news on this front to avoid picture noise, colour errors, and alike?

A. C905 has a larger camera sensor than what we’ve seen in previous models, but apart from that we’re working on advanced features such as face detection and smart focus, which in different ways is what consumers of compact cameras and mobile phone cameras want.

Q. Many will say the C905 lacks optical zoom. Why was this feature excluded?

A. During the development process we’re continuously evaluating based on what combination of features that delivers the best user experience and the best combination of features, size and price. In the case of C905, we think the 8.1 MP in combination with the possibility to share your photos on your TV is the best solution. Apart from this you can now also geo-tag your photos with the built-in aGPS and use it for navigation purposes.

Q. The TV-out cable ITC-60 is announced as an accessory to the C905 – can it be used with other phones?

A. C905 is the first phone by Sony Ericsson with TV-out functionality.

Q. The Sony Ericsson F305 is the first model in a revived F-series of gaming phones. Will this series be reserved cheaper phones, or will we also see more expensive phones in this series in the future?

A. We strongly believe in our new F-series, but can only make statements about announced products.

Q. What makes the gaming experience on the F305 unique compared to i.e. the K850 and W910, both also featuring a built-in accelerometer?

A. With an accelerometer as in F305, you get expanded possibilities to use different movements.

Q. With the Cyber-shot phones now in the C-series, will the K-series be used for price-friendly phones such as the K330?

A. The K-series will be used for phones in the entry-level segment. When it comes to imaging, we’ve got the S-series; Snapshot to complement the Cyber-shot range in a more competitive price level.

Q. The C905 in particular has received lots of publicity in the media and on various forums. Is this a so-called hero product?

A. We announce what we think gives the best user experience in the imaging segment. With the C905, we announce several new technologies and applications, that we believe will take the photos from your mobile phone camera to the next level. That’s why we strongly believe the C905 will communicate to all.

Q. What will the new phones cost?

A. It’s not Sony Ericsson without the operators that can set the prices for the markets, and they can vary by market. Our estimate is that the C905 will cost around the same as the K850 did when it was released.

… and now some more general questions.

Q. The XPERIA brand was launched earlier this year, and even since we haven’t seen any further additions in the XPERIA range. Are there any plans of announcing one or more this year?

A. We’ve announced the X1, which will be released during Q4 2008. We can however not comment further on any unannounced products.

Q. How does the future look for high-end phones by Sony Ericsson? At the latest few announcements the primary focus has been on cheap entry-level models – is it the plan to continue this?

A. We’ll be expanding our product portfolio in full to satisfy all kinds of markets.

Q. Is there still a market for ultra-thin phones?

A. The size of the phone is still an important factor, that must be balanced with the feature set and price.

Q. Numerous competitors have announced luxury models – does Sony Ericsson see a future for these phones or are they niche-products?

A. Our goal is to deliver a unique user experience for consumers with different needs. This goes for all segments.

Q. Professional UIQ-phones are a rare sight nowadays – are there any models in the pipeline or is the platform less suitable than Windows Mobile for this kind of phones?

A. Sony Ericsson today works with a set of different platforms that all add different parts to the portfolio. UIQ is still an important platform, complementing Windows Mobile in X1.

PS. Sorry about any mistakes in the text. Had to do this in a hurry, so the translations are definitely not top notch!

Posted in announcement, c-series, camera, cyber-shot, exclusive, f-series, interview, j-series, k-series, s-series, uncategorized | 34 Comments »

Interview coming up!

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

We’ve had a talk with Sony Ericsson about the latest phones and phones in general. Stay tuned for the full interview, coming up in a few hours, once I get it all translated! Some of it is pretty exciting, and reveals that the C905 makes use of a larger camera sensor than what we’ve seen so far.

:-)

Posted in announcement, interview | 12 Comments »

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