Sony exits PC market to focus on smartphones and tablets

Sony has confirmed it is quitting the PC business and is selling its VAIO brand to Japan Industrial Partners, as rumoured earlier this week.
It hopes to complete the sale by the end of March.
Sony said in a statement: "The company has determined that concentrating its mobile product line-up on smartphones and tablets and transferring its PC business to a new company established by JIP is the optimal solution.
"As a part of the business transfer to JIP, Sony will cease planning, design and development of PC products. Manufacturing and sales will also be discontinued after the spring 2014 line-up to be launched globally. Even after Sony withdraws from the PC market, Sony customers will continue to receive aftercare customer services."
Approximately 250 to 300 Sony Corporation and Sony EMCS Corporation staff involved in PC operations are expected to be hired by the new company established by Japan Industrial Partners (JIP).
Sony says it will also 'explore opportunities' for other employees to be transferred to other businesses within the Sony Group.

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