“[O]ur four-screen strategy is in place,” Sony boss Howard Stringer says, referring to the firm’s laptop, tablet and TV businesses. Enabling seamless connections across the four product categories will “open up new worlds of online entertainment” for consumers, and bring the firm “operational efficiencies in engineering, network development and marketing,” he explains.
CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood tweeted that the deal “gives Sony important mobile asset,” but questioned if the buyout is “too little too late” given the joint venture business has struggled to compete in the business over the past twelve months.
The joint venture broke even in 3Q11, overturning a €50 million loss in the second quarter. However, the flip side is the business generated profit of €49 million in 3Q10.