Sony 2001 Annual Report Download - page 21

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Sony Corporation Annual Report 2001
19
technology. A new desktop model enables users to enter data easily by writing on its screen with a stylus.
In digital video camcorders and digital still cameras, Sony preserved its high global market share by
bolstering networking capabilities and releasing worldwide a number of small and lightweight high-perfor-
mance models. Sales and earnings climbed despite the yen’s strength. As a result, these products were the
largest profit earners of the Electronics business during the year.
In mobile phones, Sony continued to make progress in establishing a sound operating base. During the
year, new products in Japan included internet-ready handsets for both the i-mode service of NTT DoCoMo,
Inc. and the cdmaOne service of KDDI Corporation. Other new models for these operators allowed music
playback using a MagicGate Memory Stick. As a result, mobile phone sales in Japan were strong. In Europe
and Asia, Sony introduced handsets for WAP-format services. All received high marks from the media for
their compact profiles, stylish designs, and high functionality. During the year, demand growth for mobile
phones softened in the competitive European market, and research and development expenses for handsets
for next-generation communications standards rose. However, although a small loss was still recorded, the
overall profit performance of Sony’s mobile phone operations improved remarkably year on year because of
growth in Japan, Europe, and Asia, driven by new models that reflected Sony’s strengths. In addition, in April
2001, Sony and Ericsson signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the intention to create a new
company that will incorporate their respective mobile phone businesses worldwide. The two companies
This model is the latest of Sony’s B5-
size projectors that opened up new
markets for LCD projectors.
Weighing only 2.4kg, this uniquely
designed projector is ideal for
anything from business presentations
to home entertainment.
This new “HDCAM” broadcast-use,
combination digital camera and VTR
that went on sale during the year,
offers a more compact size and
lighter weight. A slot is provided for
Memory Stick IC recording media,
making it easy to preserve detailed
camera settings data.