Kazuo Hirai says that for now, his company will attempt to appeal to customers in Japan and Europe, rather than the US and China. October 11, 2013 6:43 AM PDT Sony chief Kazuo Hirai holding one of his company's smartphones. (Credit: CBS Interactive) Sony's attempt to reassert itself in the smartphone market will start outside the US. The company's CEO Kazuo Hirai told reporters on Friday that his company's smartphone-related resources will be dedicated to Europe and Japan. According to Reuters, which was in attendance at the talk, Hirai doesn't yet plan to focus his company's smartphone division on the US and China. Related stories Sony shrinks Xperia Z1 to 4.3 inches to create Z1F Foxconn admits interns worked overtime to assemble PS4 Game console updates will come faster, GameStop CEO predicts Samsung Galaxy J, Sony Xperia Z1f leaked for Japanese market PlayStation 4 mobile app to launch for PS Vita owners "It's not realistic to try to do everything at once," he reportedly said. "In the US, we'll start gradually." Hirai's decision is not necessarily surprising. Sony has little market share in the US or China, but has been able to at least make a dent in Europe and Japan, its home country. Mobile was cited earlier this year by Hirai as one of the keys to reviving the slumping Sony, but so far, the effort has been slow going. That Sony won't be focusing on the US and China could perhaps open an opportunity for the company. Just about every other major smartphone maker is trying to establish a foothold in the US and the increasingly lucrative Chinese market. Hirai ostensibly hopes his mobile plans could help in the areas his competitors might not be focusing as much of their time.
Kazuo Hirai says that for now, his company will attempt to appeal to customers in Japan and Europe, rather than the US and China.
Sony chief Kazuo Hirai holding one of his company's smartphones.
(Credit: CBS Interactive)
Sony's attempt to reassert itself in the smartphone market will start outside the US.
The company's CEO Kazuo Hirai told reporters on Friday that his company's smartphone-related resources will be dedicated to Europe and Japan. According to Reuters, which was in attendance at the talk, Hirai doesn't yet plan to focus his company's smartphone division on the US and China.
Related stories
- Sony shrinks Xperia Z1 to 4.3 inches to create Z1F
- Foxconn admits interns worked overtime to assemble PS4
- Game console updates will come faster, GameStop CEO predicts
- Samsung Galaxy J, Sony Xperia Z1f leaked for Japanese market
- PlayStation 4 mobile app to launch for PS Vita owners
"It's not realistic to try to do everything at once," he reportedly said. "In the US, we'll start gradually."
Hirai's decision is not necessarily surprising. Sony has little market share in the US or China, but has been able to at least make a dent in Europe and Japan, its home country. Mobile was cited earlier this year by Hirai as one of the keys to reviving the slumping Sony, but so far, the effort has been slow going.
That Sony won't be focusing on the US and China could perhaps open an opportunity for the company. Just about every other major smartphone maker is trying to establish a foothold in the US and the increasingly lucrative Chinese market. Hirai ostensibly hopes his mobile plans could help in the areas his competitors might not be focusing as much of their time.
