While Apple looks likely to launch a streaming media service tonight, Sony’s set to go head to head with Cupertino with the launch of its own music and movie download service at IFA. The two companies have both scheduled press conferences tonight, and we’ll be on the front row of both.
According to the Financial Times, Sony’s plan is to use the PS3 as the “starting point” for its new music and video service, before rolling it out to Walkman-branded MP3 players, Vaio PCs, Bravia TVs, Blu-ray players and even Sony Ericsson-branded mobiles
The PSP will get a look in too, according to the business paper, which makes claims in line with Sony boss Sir Howard Stringer’s previous mutterings. Back in June 2008, Stringer said 90% of Sony products would be able to hop online by 2011. Then, in May 2009, Stringer said that the PlayStation Network would expand to include other devices than the PS3 and PSP.
Stringer has also made efforts to foster co-opperation between Sony’s sprawling divisions, and since the company already owns its own music label Sony Music, owning the distribution channels makes logical sense.
Is Sony’s new service, which will doubtless tap into existing movie and TV download abilities of the PS3 and PSP, a smart move? Give us your thoughts below.
