Thursday, June 26, 2008

Sony's Strange Strategy

Sony Group Corporate Strategy Update FY2008 - FY2010
"To be the leading global provider of networked consumer electronics and entertainment"

That link leads to a page that contains a three-page PDF statement issued by Sony.

One item stands out:
Ensure that 90% of our electronics product categories are network-enabled and wireless-capable by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011 (“FY2010”).

How did they arrive at that 90% figure? Did they do a census of their "electronics product categories" and determine that only nine out of ten devices can be made "network-enabled and wireless-capable"?

Another point:
Sony intends to maintain a leading position in its “trillion yen businesses” (LCD TVs, digital imaging, game and mobile phones) and will focus on expanding its PC, Blu-ray Disc-related products, and component/semiconductor businesses into “trillion yen businesses” by the end of FY2010.

Where does that leave ebooks? Where does that leave the Sony Reader?



There is no mention of the Reader or ebooks at all in this statement.

What exactly does that mean?

It's nearly the middle of 2008. Is the Reader going to be updated this year and be "network-enabled and wireless-capable"?

And why doesn't Sony consider ebooks an area that can become a "trillion yen business"?

Why hasn't the PlayStation 3 platform been seen as an additional outlet for ebooks? Why can't every PS3 come pre-loaded with Sony's eBook Library software to entice people into ebooks? Why can't PS3's act as Sony Reader hosts for ebook storage and syncing? Has anyone over there even considered that?

Yes, I've declared e-Ink ebook readers dead, but there's still some good Sony can do while it's still in the game.

Is Sony still in the game?

Or is the invisibility of the Sony Reader in Sony statements an indication they already plan to shut down that business, as they did with the Sony CLIE PalmOS PDA business?

Previously here:

A Gadget Too Far
eInk eBook Readers: They’re All Dead, Jim!
More Bad For Sony Reader: Kindles Coming
Borders Catches Cold, Sony Reader Gets Pneumonia?
Sony Reader Can Be Bought In Spain!
Oprah, Get A Sony Reader!
Ken Kutaragi: Your Vindication Nears!
Oh, NOW He Believes Me!
Macbook Air Vs Everex Cloudbook Vs Sony Reader
Does Borders Know The Sony Reader Exists?
What’s Going On With Sony And Its Reader?
Sony’s Got Something Big For Their Reader
Will New eBook Readers Finally Change The World?
Has Sony Just Lost Its eBook Battle?

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