Sony Ericsson CEO says they turned down building Google's Nexus One

Big mistake?

According to an interview Nordberg had with the Sydsvenskan newspaper recently, the Sony Ericsson leader said that the company is not interested in building phones for any other brand, and if they are going to make it in the U.S. market, they'll do it on their own. (I don't know whether or not that is admirable, stubborn or foolhardy. You pick.)

Sony Ericsson is still partnering with Google on other Android-based phones (like the Xperia X10). However, and Nordberg says his company is already focusing on what they believe to be the next big realm of smartphones: gaming.

But given how much hype the Nexus One has already received before its released, it's inevitable that thing is going to be big. Sony Ericsson might be a big phone manufacturer, but they could certainly use a boost in profits. A partnership like this could have led to even more big project partnerships and developments down the road.

Was this their golden opportunity, or were they right for sticking to their brand argument?