Sony finalises Sony Ericsson takeover

Sony has announced the completion of its €1.05 billion (£918 million) takeover of Sony Ericsson.

Sony Ericsson has been renamed Sony Mobile Communications, with smartphone devices such as the Xperia S and Xperia ion spearheading the new branding.

"Sony will rename Sony Ericsson 'Sony Mobile Communications', and further integrate the mobile phone business as a vital element of its electronics business," read a statement from the firm.

The company added that the rebranding aims to accelerate "convergence between Sony's lineup of network enabled consumer electronics products, including smart phones, tablets, TVs and PCs".

Previous reports suggested that the Sony Ericsson brand would not be discontinued until mid-2012. The dual-core Sony Ericsson Nozomi smartphone, scheduled to be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), was expected to be the final handset bearing the moniker.

The partnership was founded in 2001 and went on to produce numerous mobile handsets, including the PlayStation certified Xperia Play.

Any handsets the firm unveils at this month's MWC are expected to be released under the Sony Mobile Communications umbrella.

Watch an introductory video to the Xperia Play below: