Milunovich sees big things for Sony / Apple relationship

Merrill Lynch analyst Steven Milunovich thinks Apple and Sony could be working on some big things.  On top of his list is a new high-end workstation based on the Sony/IBM/Toshiba Cell processor. (Go ahead and start some rumors about a new Cell-based PowerBook).  Other possibilities include the oft-speculated iMovies movie store and a network-enabled TV or media server/set top box.  All of this conjecture seems to be a result of Sony President Kunitake Ando's presence on stage at Macworld.  After all, why was he there?  Just to say hi or to give Merrill Lynch analysts something to write about?

[Thanks, Brian]

[jk @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

It seems that every five years or so, some rumor of Apple and Sony going into some heavy collaboration comes out, and every time nothing seems to come of it.

When was the last big hardware collaboration? The first round of PowerBooks? The PowerBook 100 was manufactured by Sony. Firewire is the other thing that comes to mind, but I don't know to what extent Sony was involved in the creation of the standard.

How about software collaborations? Anything beyond Apple and Sony both being on the same standards board for some technology?

[jps @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

one of the major points about the cell processor is that the sucker is by no means small. Fitting it into a laptop would not make much sense at this point.

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

So, you get paid probably alot more than i do, to start rumours all day every day?! i guess sat on your backside?!

got any vacancies!?

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

The best thing that should/could happen is that you could link an iPod to the Playstation2 for in game music.

[Pat @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

#2 is just stupid pointless spam

#3 (Eric)

I don't quite agree. I think that the best possibly interaction between Sony and Apple is one where they get an ipod that has mobile phone capabilities... Perhaps that "walkman phone" that was a rumor the other day is merely Sony taking a slice of the "apple" in a different way to what people are expecting.

[Mike D @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

But I bet I still wont see NetMD for my mac any time soon.

[Oliver @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Actually, I bet sony will work on making new HD digital camcorders directly compatible with Apple's iMovie. HD is becoming a big thing for Apple at the moment...

[Miles @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

one of the major points about the cell processor is that the sucker is by no means small. Fitting it into a laptop would not make much sense at this point.

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[Miles @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

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When was the last big hardware collaboration? The first round of PowerBooks? The PowerBook 100 was manufactured by Sony. Firewire is the other thing that comes to mind, but I don't know to what extent Sony was involved in the creation of the standard.

[alex @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

don't quite agree. I think that the best possibly interaction between Sony and Apple is one where they get an ipod that has mobile phone capabilities... Perhaps that "walkman phone" that was a rumor the other day is merely Sony taking a slice of the "apple" in a different way to what people are expecting.
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