Sony Ericsson launches Android, Symbian developer tools

Handset manufacturer Sony Ericsson has launched a cross platform development tool catering to Android and Symbian developers.

The Sony Ericsson WebSDK was created in collaboration with the PhoneGap open source development community, and helps developers design applications for Sony Ericsson’s Android and Symbian-based devices such as the Xperia X10 and the Satio.

Like Motorola, Sony Ericsson is investing in open source technologies in a bid to turn its fortune around. The firm is this week reported to have shut down its North American headquarters, leaving 425 employees without a job. The company is instead moving its North American HQ to Atlanta.

The cuts form part of a previously announced additional cost saving program, which amounts to further job cuts of 2,000 people, leading to new restructuring charges of Eur200m.

Last month the handset manufacturer watched its net loss for the third quarter increase to €164m, compared to a loss of €25m in the same period last year.

Sales dropped to €1.6bn for the three month period, down from €2.8bn in 2008, while unit shipments were down 45 per cent year on year to 14.1 million, giving it a market share of about 5 per cent.