The mantra of the 00s is convergence, and Sony Corp ADR (NYSE:SNE) is teaming with BT Group (NYSE:BT) in one of the most useful convergences yet. The companies announced plans, confirming a report by our sister blog JoyStiq last September, that Sony will add cell phone capability to their Playstation Portable.

In partnership with British telephone giant BT Group, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced a four-year deal to develop and market the hardware and service. The product will initially be offered in the U.K. BT's broadband network Openzone will also be part of the deal, which would allow Sony to add online gaming to the Playstation Portable.

This is another step toward what I call the Holy Ark of Mobility -- a mashup of cell phone, gaming platform, iPod, video viewer, web browser, camera, video recorder, e-book reader, television remote, garage door opener, car lock remote, and thermometer. With this device and my long-wished for concierge monkey, my life would be perfect.

If Sony (NYSE:SNE) is anywhere close to Mudville, there is no joy there. The sales for PlayStation 3 sales during December were routed by Microsoft Corporation's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox and the Nintendo (NASDAQ:NTDOY) Wii.

According to NPD, which seems to be quoted as the research firm of choice in almost every press account of software and consumer electronics, PS3 sold 490,700 units in the U.S. during December. Xbox sold sold 1.1 million of its 360 machines and Nintendo sold 602,400.

There is a theory that if PS3 did not have a supply problem, it would have had higher unit sales. Would have, could have, should have.

The old PS2 actually outsold all of its competition hitting 1.4 million units in the U.S. in December.

Makes Wall Street wonder why Sony bothered with the PS3 at all.

Douglas A. McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 WallSt.

I was walking along 57th Avenue in New York late one recent evening, two days before the release of both the Nintendo Wii and the Sony Playstation 3. I saw a huge line of people camped out, and my first thought was, "there isn't a Star Wars movie due soon, is there?" A few moments later I realized it was a line for a Playstation 3.

It's certain that many of those faithful campers would later sell their Playstation 3 on eBay; same with the Wii. According to the Wall Street Journal [subscription required], nearly 15,000 of Sony Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:SNE)'s new game console have been sold, for around $1200 each, on eBay since the release last Friday. (Which is, if you're counting, some $500k straight to eBay, Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY)'s bottom line) Those who sold, made about a $500-$600 profit. The way I calculate? It's so not worth it.