Sharp drops handhelds from U.S. retail market

By Richard Shim
Posted on ZDNet News: Oct 20, 2004 7:39:00 PM

Sharp issued a statement on Wednesday confirming that the company is cutting back on its handheld plans in the United States--it will stop developing and selling handhelds to consumers but will continue to sell devices to corporate customers. Sharp will still sell its organizers in the United States and has no plans to stop sales of Zaurus handhelds in Japan.

"Sharp has made a business decision to cycle out of business development activities for the Zaurus SL6000 handheld mobile data device in the United States," the company stated. "While Sharp will not add additional products to the Zaurus line in the United States, Zaurus products will continue to be actively sold in Japan."

Sharp representatives were not available to offer more details on the move. Sharp joins a list of companies that entered the market after witnessing the success of Palm (now split into PalmSource and PalmOne), but gradually, as shipments declined, makers such as Sony and Toshiba have been scaling back.

"Sharp pulling out is not a big shock, but they never had much presence in this market," said Kevin Burden, an analyst with research firm IDC. "Still, it's not good news for the handheld business. Three years ago, vendors were clamoring to get into this market, but now there's consolidation or companies are just pulling out."

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Grassroots Marketing

I love my Sharp Zaurus ever since I purchased it over ebay a couple of months ago. I own the SL-5500 and although it is over 2 years old it is still leading edge.

I find it sad that Sharp is a... (Read the rest)

Posted by: andrew_wyllie@... Posted on: 10/21/04 You are currently: a Guest | Log in | Terms of Use

Sad...  WhoIsDaMan | 10/20/04

Real shame  htotten | 10/20/04

Smart move on Sharp's part  Kamakazii | 10/20/04

You have a Sharp Point  Roger Ramjet | 10/21/04

And the band marchs on...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 10/20/04

Grassroots Marketing  andrew_wyllie@... | 10/21/04

What do you think?

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