Sony Ericsson working on Android 2.0 phones

Sony Ericsson's first Android phones will use version 2.0 of Google's mobile platform, according to a DigiTimes report. Peter Ang, vice president of marketing for Asia Pacific at Sony Ericsson, said that Android 2.0 will be more multimedia friendly than current versions.

Ang also clarified that the financially strapped handset maker will continue to make handsets that use Symbian and Windows Mobile platforms, as well as Android. He did not say when the company will release an Android phone.

In April, Sony Ericsson CEO Hideki Komiyama said the company would take its time with Android. "It does require a lot of evaluation, as well as a lot of testing, a lot of acceptance from a consumer viewpoint, and there is still some time to go," Komiyama told Reuters.

Sony Ericsson joined the Open Handset Alliance--the Google-led consortium of companies committed to Android--in December. The company also partnered with Nokia, Motorola and NTT DoCoMo to found the Symbian Foundation.

Sony recently said its joint venture with Ericsson will need to raise at least $135.5 million in new funds by March. Sony Ericsson posted a $386 million net loss for the first quarter and sales fell 36 percent year-over-year. Additionally, the handset maker said it would cut 2,000 jobs, or about one-fifth of its workforce. 

For more:
- see this DigiTimes article [1]

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