Sony Ericsson are delaying the launch of the P990 to focus more resources on the M600i due to 'operator interest' in the UIQ device announced today. "The P990 remains an important flagship product" says Oskar Lampel, SE Production Manager in an interview on Symbian One. "...[we have] changed the timing of the P990's introduction to ensure both phones get to market as early as possible." While practically this might be a good idea, the continued non-appearance of any UIQ3 devices after having the software announced over two years ago could come back to bite SE in any 3GSM press coverage.
Read on in the full article.
I wonder what's holding things up, UIQ3 devices should have been out long ago - I remember being given the first UIQ 3 material at the Symbian Expo in 2004!
Does this mean a Q2 release for both devices? Or even (shudder) later?
Steve
You couldn't make this stuff up. I assume Oskar has a job waiting with the Labour party: "we delayed the P990 to get it to market as early as possible", what is he smoking?
They're running very late with the P990, will it ever appear? I guess the same can be said for UIQ3, which now must be at least 18 months behind its original schedule.
a flagship isn't a flagship untill it's built. sony-e has to get something out fast to stay competitive in the symbian side of their business...
they're not that different looking devices in the end anyways, chop the flip off from a p990, change some of the things into more sexier, drop the cam, alter the plastics a bit and what you got...
when it's out and if it's affordable enough remains to be seen anyhow.
-glass
Of course this could be "a good day to bury bad news" with the announcement of the M600i. If there's a fundamental software concept that's just not working yet, then rather than say "the P990 (and ergo UIQ3) are going to be late to market, they can dress it up as "hey everyone want sthis, we're going to put them out together!"
At this rate the devices most closely identified with Symbian (the UIQ SE devices) are getting delayed and delayed. UIQ3 first announced in September 2004 and still no product in the market?
Looks likely Nokia will beat SE to the shops with a Symbian OS 9.1 device - can SE afford the E61 a three month lead in the marketplace?
gl---ass wrote:
they're not that different looking devices in the end anyways, chop the flip off from a p990, change some of the things into more sexier, drop the cam, alter the plastics a bit and what you got
Drop the Wifi as well, as the keys are 'rocker' keys with Q on one side and W on the other. Hmmm....
The P990 must see the light of day. SonyEricsson have invested far too much time, money & reputation not to put it out. The P-series has always been at the forefront of technology. Trying to put together a part-new hardware device and a shiny new operating system is always a tricky task, especially whilst trying to juggle taking over the rest of the market.
From a financial perspective, it looks like SonyEricsson have played a good game: soak up the lower & middle markets to build the warchest, then the expensive development of your high-end model doesn't hurt so much, and you can support it more.
Can you taste the optimism in my writing??? 😉