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Sony Ericsson: We Refused to Build Google Phone

- By - Source : Tom's Guide US

I knew there had to be a reason why it looked like every other Android phone out there.

So far a lot of the Android phones on the market have been made by HTC. So, when Android fans learned the Nexus One was yet another HTC device, they were a little disappointed. Some had hoped they'd see something truly different from Google and when the Nexus One launched, it seemed the only truly different thing was that you could purcahse the device through Google.

However, it seems HTC may not have been Google's first choice either. Sony Ericsson has said the search giant approached the company to make the phone but Ericsson said no. Crave reports that in an interview for a Swedish newspaper, Sony Ericsson chief, Bert Nordberg, said that Google had approached his company about making the Nexus One but he had refused because Sony Ericsson wanted release phones under its own brand only. Nordberg went on to say that Sony prefers to rely on its own efforts to make it in the US market.

Despite the Google snub, Ericsson has plans to release Android devices under its own brand. The company has plans for a handful of Android devices to be released this year. Crave reports that the first of these, the Xperia X10, is expected to be released later this month.

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lucky015 02/19/2010 8:50 PM
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So in other words they gave up the chance of making a nearly perfect phone just because they couldn't put their badge on it?

How about a simple solution... a label saying "Made by Sony Ericsson for Google"

mattfoo2324 02/19/2010 9:27 PM
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Their loss of one of the best phones of 2009/early 2010.

jhansonxi 02/19/2010 9:46 PM
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Not surprising. Branding is everything now. Just consider how many different laptop brands are designed and made by the same OEMs like Compal Electronics and Quanta Computer.

Anonymous 02/19/2010 9:48 PM
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The Nexus One was a great phone but it does have its down sides. Being an AT&T customer myself I've been pretty pissed about the AT&T offerings recently. In the US T-Mobile and Verizon have a lock on everything. However, I'm really looking forward to the Xperia X10 on AT&T and that will be my replacement to my "ancient" Blackberry 8820 for sure. Stats are almost the same as the Nexus One.

redplanet_returns 02/19/2010 9:52 PM
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sony again showing its arrogance in adopting non-first party products

JMcEntegart 02/19/2010 10:26 PM
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lucky015 :
So in other words they gave up the chance of making a nearly perfect phone just because they couldn't put their badge on it?How about a simple solution... a label saying "Made by Sony Ericsson for Google"



That's what I don't get. Everyone knows HTC made the Nexus One. It could have been so good for Sony. Knobs.

cookoy 02/19/2010 11:23 PM
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Maybe the agreement was for Sony-Ericsson to produce Android phones exclusively for Google only. So S-E cannot market one with their own brand.

idisarmu 02/19/2010 11:44 PM
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The Nexus One could have been a cash cow for them. It's a real shame they didn't take up the offer. They should have had a Google label with a "powered by Sony Ericsson" slogan or the Sony Ericsson label with a "powered by google" slogan on the back of the phone.

7amood 02/20/2010 2:23 AM
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talzara 02/20/2010 3:17 PM
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jhansonxi :
Not surprising. Branding is everything now. Just consider how many different laptop brands are designed and made by the same OEMs like Compal Electronics and Quanta Computer.



These are called ODMs (Original Design Manufacturers). An OEM would be HP, Toshiba, etc.

JohnnyLucky 02/20/2010 3:19 PM
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Sounds as if Google wanted to exercise control over the product.

rooket 02/20/2010 8:40 PM
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I'm not excited by HTC brand. I've used them in the past and meh. Ericsson branding would have worked for me. I use an ericsson now and call me crazy but I rather have it than an apple.

Anonymous 02/20/2010 9:28 PM
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"NOO!! we not make fon fo google... we has enough competition already!!!

epic japanese fail... lol"

Thats just soo right. =)

I am a Sony-Ericsson fan and though I had to buy an HTC and I must say: I love it! Sense UI... mmmmm the best skin for Android so far. X10 sounds a little not exactly clear what it aims at as it comes already very very late. I would choose again HTC legend unboody if I had to buy something new

stardude82 02/21/2010 6:51 PM
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Sony Ericsson has long been a user/backer of Symbian. I can see why it wouldn't want to have any exclusivity with Android. That being said, nobody is buying the Nexus One either so no big loss to S.E.

Anonymous 02/21/2010 6:55 PM
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As in the book "Made in Japan", written by Akio Morita, Sony decided not to be an OEM, or ODM, in the 1950s. So this kind of decision is nothing but new...

drksilenc 02/22/2010 2:21 PM
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stardude82 do you consider 10k sales a week no sales? cause thats the rate at which they are selling...

bydesign 02/22/2010 4:54 PM
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Umm Nexon One is not as good and Droid... Kind of a flop in sales too. Sounds like a smart move to me.

drksilenc 02/22/2010 5:24 PM
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bydesign what do u mean not as good? not as good as what? the droid? its better in every way shape and form. it just doesnt have a keyboard... other than that faster processor more ram more rom better type of screen should i go on?

bydesign 02/22/2010 5:45 PM
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Hmm, most reviewers don't agree and sales figures don't support your notion. Plus why not a norm HTC and reduce the effect Google’s greedy little clutches? They also support a much higher than average return rate from dissatisfied customers. Android may not be flop but the Nexon One was a huge one.

drksilenc 02/22/2010 8:41 PM
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yes there was a problem with the 3g its all over the web... its being fixed... it and what would reviewers have anything to do with better specs? the hardware is better... meaning faster meaning a persons say in something means nothing about what i typed... and btw htc released an almost identical device at the mwc so

bill gates is your daddy 02/22/2010 9:41 PM
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another dumb ass move by sony...what's new?