Sony (NYSE: SNE) may be considering the development of a phone based on its PlayStation portable gaming device brand, reports MarketingWeek. The device-maker is likely considering its options as it sees competitive pressure mounting as phones, such as Apple’s (NSDQ: AAPL) iPhone and Nokia’s (NYSE: NOK) N-Gage platform, offers higher-end gaming experiences. The big question is if Sony would go this road alone, or use its current partnership with Ericsson (NSDQ: ERIC) to develop something. The article reported that the phone would incorporate elements of the PSP, and may hit shelves in time for Christmas 2009. To date, the Sony-Ericsson partnership hasn’t been focused on gaming, but rather on music through its Walkman line of phones, and photos through its Cybershot brand. Sony Ericsson launched one gaming phone, called the F305, but it did not include the PlayStation brand. A spokesperson declined to comment on future product launches. A New York Times article today outlined Sony’s new initiatives that includes pushing into “networked electronics and video download services.” It’s fallen behind Apple and is trying to catch-up, and plans this summer to launch a video distribution service on its PlayStation Network. There’s also more information on sister site PaidContent.org.

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