Japanese government promotes mobile payments

It's quite a day for mobile payment stories. Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications says it's planning to work with the country's mobile phone operators to promote the use of mobile wallet services worldwide. It's backing contactless technology based on Sony's FeliCa chips, which has been used by NTT DoCoMo for three years. [Source: BWCS.com]

Sony Ericsson's future questioned by Sony CEO

Sony's CEO Sir Howard Stringer has suggested to German newspaper Die Welt that the future of Sony Ericsson is uncertain if the two companies don't change the way they work together. [Source: welt.de]

O2 launches new mobile music service

Hot on the heels of Vodafone, O2 has launched a mobile music service in partnership with Sony called My Play. Individual tracks are 99p, music videos are £1.50 and ringtones are £3.50. Yes, £3.50 each. [Press release]

Ericsson publishes Q2 results

Ericsson has reported second-quarter results that show a 70% drop in profits to 1.9 billion Kronor (£159 million), with the Sony Ericsson partnership blamed for much of the fall. [Sources: Press release; TimesOnline.co.uk]

Sony plans PlayStation phone?

Marketing Week says Sony is considering the creation of a PlayStation-branded phone that incorporates elements of the PlayStation Portable gaming device. The phone - which wouldn't involve Sony Ericsson - could be ready for Christmas 2009. Sony Ericsson has previously said it was looking at the idea of using the PlayStation brand.