Sony Gets the Google Makeover, but It Still Needs to Beat Apple in Japan

By Sam Mattera – Dec 19, 2013 at 2:05PM

NASDAQ: AAPL

Apple

Market Cap

$2,623B

Today's Change

(0.52%) $0.87

Current Price

$169.89

Price as of April 25, 2024, 4:00 p.m. ET

Sony has released its first Google Play Edition device. That could help it sell more Android devices, but Apple's success in Japan suggests Sony has its hands full.

Earlier this month, Sony's (SONY -0.33%) Xperia Z Ultra appeared in Google's (GOOGL -1.97%) Play store, as the Google Play Edition Z Ultra. Like other Google Play Edition devices, the phone runs stock Android and features an unlocked bootloader, making it an ideal device for Android app developers to tinker with. In time, it could help Sony compete against Apple (AAPL 0.52%) and other Android OEMs.

Apple has been absolutely dominating Sony's home market of Japan recently, with the iPhone now taking nearly 40% of the market, and some analysts expect Apple's Japanese market share to break above 50% next year. Google would benefit if Sony could emerge as a major Android OEM, but until it can win on its home turf, that is unlikely.

In the following video, Fool contributor Sam Mattera explains why the Google Play Edition of Sony's phablet could be important to both Sony and Google.

Sam Mattera has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Apple and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple and Google. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.