Sony killed AIBO and QRIO?

Well wouldn't you know it, not even a day after receiving what's possibly the biggest validation of robotic companions since Petster saved little Timmy from a burning barn back in '86, it looks like news is surfacing that in Sony's Q305 fiscal reports they have intentions and supposedly already ceased developing AIBO and QRIO, Engadget's most beloved of all canine and humanoid robots, respectively. At the risk of sounding terribly insensitive, somehow the prospect of AIBO and QRIO dying actually makes us more heartsick than the news of the 10,000 some-odd jobs Stringer cut reorganizing the electronics giant. Sony, say it ain't so, say it ain't so!

P.S. -When Sony America wakes up this morning we'll be placing some calls.

[Via Akihabara News]

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2006 10:05PM]

It's not fair, I never got one or even saw one until i saw this music video by Beck. That robot caught me (qrio)and now i want one, but i cant get one now can I. Ruined my hopes on getting one now that i've seen this site. Blah!

[metathuselah Posted Jan 30th 2006 9:30PM]

My initial reaction was "Oh gawd, why are they dropping another of their popular consumer items?". Somewhere in the group mind that is the board of directors and the investors they have determined that Sony is primarily a media company. They are hell-bent on producing electronics that complement their media.

Anything that isn't a digital home or personal entertainment gizmo is being discontinued. Their Clie line of electronics is a good example. I figure in about ten years, give or take, Sony will fall apart and start selling off major chunks of itself because they have lost sight of their original core business: inexpensive everyday consumer electronics.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 1st 2006 11:22AM]

http://luisguillermo.com/blog/mortintoj.jpg

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 5th 2006 2:11PM]

I hate Sony ;_______; I'm depressed to die... I LOVE Qrio and Aibo... how can it...? ;_________________;