Sharp and Pioneer Unite for Blu-ray Products

Sharp and Pioneer have announced that they will invest in each other's corporations in order to form a joint capital venture. They will utilize the strengths of each other - Sharp for their blue laser diodes, and Pioneer for their drive assemblies - to produce consumer electronics, including Blu-ray products.

"Technology has been developing significantly faster compared to the past," commented Mikio Katayama, Sharp president/COO. "So, in order to cover core technology and know-how that we do not have, we believe a strategic business alliance is needed."