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60 million PSN accounts created to date, says Sony's Stringer
During the company's CES 2011 press conference this evening, Sony Corp. chairman/president/CEO and honest-to-goodness knight Sir Howard Stringer reported that, to date, there have been 60 million PlayStation Network accounts created. The news was dropped as Stringer spoke of the growing market for connected devices and Sony's place in it. At last year's CES, it was Sony Computer Entertainment chief Kaz Hirai who revealed that, at the time, 38 million PSN accounts had been activated. This year's numbers stand in contrast to the latest user base figures for Microsoft's Xbox Live service, which as of this past November sat at 25 million users, half of which were paid subscribers. Though impressive on face value, it's worth nothing that Hirai just days ago confirmed that PSN is not yet profitable. The hardware maker hopes to change that in part through PlayStation Plus subscriptions, the number of which have been sold has yet to be disclosed. Of course, Sony's latest figure also includes PSP users and PSN accounts created via the PlayStation website. As with delivery of these stats in the past, there's no saying whether or not Sony will go into more detail down the line about where most of the users came from and what they're doing.
Sony said to be looking for new President to lighten Sir Howard's load
Sir Howard Stringer is a busy man. Currently holding the Chairman, CEO and President titles at Sony, the man's in charge of one of the vastest empires in the history of vastness, which is probably why the company's now said to be looking for someone to succeed him at one of those posts. Bloomberg's reporting that Sony is having internal discussions about appointing a new President, with Kaz Hirai and Hiroshi Yoshioka identified as the names at the top of the pile. The pair are currently responsible for handling one half each of Sony's broad consumer electronics portfolio and it's notable that the Japanese giant seems to be looking for its next great leader from the hardware side of the business. If this speculation does bear fruit, expect the next President to deputize Stringer in the short-term and to eventually succeed him as top banana when the current ruler decides to hang up his cornflower-blue tie.
CE-Oh no he didn't!: Sony's Sir Howard says 'when you beat Apple, you're dominating'
Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer has always been delightfully direct, and he didn't hold back at Google's I/O conference: talking about Sony Ericsson with Eric Schmidt during the Google TV launch, Sir Howard noted that the Xperia X10 is the best-selling handset in Japan, and that "when you beat Apple, you're dominating -- it's the new definition." Strong words from a gadget titan -- we'll leave it to you to debate their veracity.
Sony staying conservative with Reader device, aware of current tablet mania
Sony's Sir Howard Stringer played the tease at today's Reader content partnership presser, stating that while Sony could make the device into a multimedia tablet, it would rather wait and see if consumers warm up to current devices. Stringer's watching if people find the form factor "comfortable and helpful" before Sony starts "plowing on a thousand apps" or building a "Vaio Reader." We don't really know how much e-reader acceptance points to the demand for color multimedia tablets, but in regards to the (non-existant, ever-present) Apple Tablet, Stringer says "we're all working on variations of the same thing." Hopefully we'll figure out what exactly he means by that before we grow old and start reading books or something horrible like that.
Sony pushes profitability goal back to 2013
Apparently unwilling to accept the cold, hard scientific fact that the world will end in December of 2012, Sony has announced that it plans to be profitable and operating at a five percent margin by March of 2013, according to the Washington Post. Though the company originally hoped to hit the goal by March of 2008, an economic-collapse-shaped wrench was tossed into the works of that particular plan. As you might imagine, the PlayStation division is a big part of Sony's profitability strategy, and the company says it hopes to have that part of its business in the black by next year, partially on the back of digital distribution. Sony's targeting 300 billion yen (around $3.4 billion or 1.7 billion copies of the Andy Dick PAIN DLC) in digital sales by March 2013, which would amount to six times what it pulled in this year.
Sony first-party studios developing 3D games
The IFA 2009 kicked off with a keynote from Sony's CEO Sir Howard Stringer. As revealed by Stringer, Sony plans on introducing 3D tech in a number of new products, from TVs to Blu-ray movies, to video games. "Today, 3D is clearly on its way to the mass market through technology, distribution and content," Stringer said. However, he notes that the mass acceptance of 3D will meet the same stumbling blocks as HD. "As with high definition a few years back, there are a variety of issues yet to be addressed. But the 3D train is on the track, and we at Sony are ready to drive it home."MCV reports that Sony has already produced a number of 3D games via its internal development studios, but won't announce the games "until an industry 3D standard has become apparent." This move should be unsurprising, considering the tech demos presented at CES earlier this year, with MotorStorm: Pacific Rift, WipEout HD and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue all running in 3D.While we're not entirely sure consumers will jump on the 3D bandwagon as soon as next year, the technology is already slowly proliferating. The recently released Invincible Tiger on PSN, and the upcoming Avatar, can both run in 3D -- provided you have a TV that can support the still-in-development tech.Source - Financial Times: Sony to throw its weight behind 3D TVSource - MCV: Sony: 3D TV 'in every home' next year
Sony to debut 3D BRAVIA TVs by end of 2010, also eyeing 3D VAIOs, Blu-ray films, and PS3 games?
The Financial Times has it on good word what the major unveil in Sony chief Sir Howard Stringer's keynote tomorrow at IFA 2009 will, so much so that it's quoting him with phrases he hasn't even said yet. According to the report, the company is making a huge push into the third dimension, with 3D BRAVIA HDTVs hitting the retail channels by the end of 2010. Also on the menu is 3D-compatible PlayStation 3 titles (which we've kind of heard before), VAIO laptops, and Blu-ray movies, but it's unclear from the article if they shares the same 2010 timeline. Polarized glasses will be required for use, but hey, just consider it a fashion statement. We're now very anxious to see how close Sir Stringer sticks to this purported script for tomorrow's big event.
Sony's big plans for OLED HDTVs may slip to next year
Hope you weren't too attached to the idea of "medium to large" sized OLED HDTVs coming from Sony this year, according to the Wall Street Journal's sources, the company's slipping share of TV sales mean profitability takes precedence over sweet, super slim new displays. Surprised by its inability to sell truckloads of $2,500 11-inch versions CEO Howard Stringer decided to put the project on the back burner, apparently more focused on things like competing in Wal-Mart and implementing cheaper LED technology for its LCDs. With LG also on a timetable that puts us a year or more away from seeing one of these on store shelves in decent sizes, things are up to Samsung to bring it home -- we're waiting.
Sony Ericsson selects next president, appoints Howard Stringer chairman of the board
It's out with the old, in with the new over at Sony Ericsson as it tries to revamp both its image and its lineup in the face of stiff competition, weak financials, and an unfocused platform strategy. President Hideki Komiyama (pictured left) intends to retire at the end of the year, and stepping up to fill his shoes will be the current head of Ericsson Silicon Valley, Bert Nordberg (right). To get the dude up to speed, he'll become co-president as of September 1 and take over sole control of the operation on October 15. Speaking of October 15, that's also the date that Sir Howard Stringer -- yes, the one and only chairman and CEO of Sony -- will take over the chairmanship of Sony Ericsson's executive board from outgoing Ericsson CEO Carl-Henric Svanberg. Whether this signals a power shift in the joint venture from Ericsson to Sony is unclear, but they've specifically mentioned in a press conference today to announce the moves that they need to "address [their] smartphone weakness" -- and yes, we'd agree. Do exactly that, Bert Nordberg.
Stringer responds to price cut pressure from Activision
Sony's Sir Howard Stringer wasn't scared by Activision CEO Bobby Kotick's suggestion that his company may have to stop supporting the PlayStation 3 if the price didn't decrease. "He likes to make a lot of noise," Stringer said, discussing the statement at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference -- the same event at which, last year, he described the Wii as "an expensive niche game device." "He's putting pressure on me and I'm putting pressure on him. That's the nature of business."If Sony cut the price of the PS3 as Kotick suggested, Stringer said that "I (would) lose money on every PlayStation I make -- how's that for logic." It's actually a kind of logic that Sony is quite familiar with, given that the company loses money on every PlayStation 3 it makes right now.[Via Engadget]
Sony's Stringer dismisses PS3 price-cutting threats by noisy Activision CEO
We can attest that Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony, is a pretty nice guy. But all the PS3 price-cut chatter from industry analysts and gaming execs seems to have the man riled as he tries to keep Sony afloat. Responding directly to Robert Kotick's threat to stop developing Activision titles on the PS3 (and PSP) due to the console's relative high price, Stringer told Reuters, "He likes to make a lot of noise. He's putting pressure on me and I'm putting pressure on him. That's the nature of business." When asked about the logic of not cutting prices, Howard said, "I (would) lose money on every PlayStation I make -- how's that for logic." True, until the 45nm Cell processor launches allowing for a cheaper, cooler running slim PS3 later this year, right Howie... wink, wink?[Via GameDaily]
Sony: Expect bigger, better PSN around Spring 2010
Sir Howard Stringer has big plans for PSN. He said as much last month, commenting that as long as PSN is tied solely to the PS3, the network would never be able to reach its full potential. It's set to reach for the stars in Spring 2010, apparently, as Kaz Hirai recently commented to CNN."It's now a matter of what all the services need to look like for each device, and coming up with a rollout plan," said Hirai. "It's like city planning here, and we can start small. We don't need to build New York City overnight." And the update isn't just cosmetic, as Sony is looking to create a much more open and easier to use service that will bridge all of Sony's devices. Among the proposed improvements are better displaying images from a camera on TV, watching and editing video, sharing content with friends, and storage. Another interesting thing mentioned is the prospect of rewards for brand loyalists. Sony supporters with multiple Sony products could receive perks such as discounts and even premium services. It seems like a solid plan to us, but we'd suggest rewarding the people who play PlayStation Home first.[Via Edge]
Sony's Stringer discusses PSN's 'open' expansion beyond PS3
The PlayStation Network has come a long way since its inception back in late 2006. At first, it wasn't a major focal point for Sony in pushing the PS3 forward, but since then things have changed immensely. "We developed brand new, absolutely incredible technology for the PlayStation 3, but the cost was high. We've adopted a slightly different approach now, and are evolving the PS3 into a platform for web services," said Sony Corp. head honcho Sir Howard Stringer, speaking in an interview with Nikkei Electronics Asia. Indeed, services such as the social network app PlayStation Home and the expansion of VOD content on the PlayStation Store reflects Sony's new strategy. "Sony has begun the transition from a closed system to an open one," stated Stringer. "Next we will be expanding the PlayStation Network to hardware other than the PS3, because the number of PS3 units sold puts a limit on the scale of the network possible." Of course, he refers to the PSP (which already features PSN connectivity) and -- most likely -- the rumored PSP2 as well (which looks to be solely dependent on PSN); however, does he also mean to say devices outside gaming could get the PSN treatment? Say, like, um, phones? [Via Edge Online]
Sony CEO Howard Stringer on music: "If we had gone with open technology from the start, I think we probably would have beaten Apple"
We've always had a soft spot for Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer, and it sounds like the old man's doing more than cajoling Tom Hanks into telling jokes following his consolidation of power: in a lengthy and illuminating interview with Nikkei Electronics Asia, Sir Howard pledged that Sony would use more open standards in the future, saying "If we had gone with open technology from the start, I think we probably would have beaten Apple" in the music market. That's a pretty bold statement to be making in hindsight -- especially since we're pretty sure the Connect Player and SonicStage would have still driven people screaming into the arms of iTunes -- but it's pretty heartwarming to hear from the head of a company just as famous for an endless array of funky proprietary standards as it is the Walkman. You want to make us feel even warmer and fuzzier, Howie? "We can no longer say that we're right and our customers are wrong. We can't build only what we want to build." Wow -- sounds like the start of a whole new Sony. We'll see if Sir Howard can actually pull off what sounds like a major change in his company's culture, but for right now we'd recommend hitting the read link and taking in the whole interview, cause it's a good one.
Sony reorganizes divisions, has big plans for future
Like two lovers caught in a seductive tango, chief executive Howard Stringer has taken the lead as president of Sony's electronics division, taking on a more intimate and hands-on role with the company's future. The previous president, engineer-turned-exec Ryoji Chubachi, will undertake a new role as vice chairman and stay on to assist Stringer. This recent move is part of Sony's attempt to manage the huge losses the company has suffered recently. The reorganization doesn't stop there, oh no, Sony is really shaking things up.The company is forming two new divisions, one of which will oversee PlayStation and Vaio PCs, while the other takes charge of Bravia TVs, Cybershot digital cameras, and Handycam camcorders. The man in charge of the new PlayStation and Vaio division is none other than Kaz Hirai, head of Sony's gaming business. Heading up the other division will be Hiroshi Yoshioka, who currently oversees Sony's TV business.On the video game side of things, one of the opportunities presented by this restructuring will be the expansion of PSN beyond the realm of games. Sony wants to offer real network-based content that works across all Sony devices, including its game consoles, Walkman brand, and even the e-Reader. With Sony reorganizing all of its divisions, the prospect of SCE having greater access to other divisions in the company becomes higher. This leaves the possibility of new synergistic ideas within Sony, such as PSN on your cell phone or an MP3 store for PSP. This corporate shuffle will allow Sony to be the "united company" it has been telling us it will be ... for years.Source - Stringer adds president post in shake-up [Via Edge]Source - Strategy Analytics: Sony Brings Down Silos To Address Connected Consumer Opportunities
Sony's Howard Stringer consolidates power as president resigns
If you thought Sony's economic woes and unprecedented layoffs would bring an end to Sir Howard Stringer's reign at Sony, think again. It's Sony president, Ryoji Chubachi, that will step down in April leaving Sir Howard to take over the presidency in addition to his current roles as chairman and CEO. Chubachi will become a vice chair while Stringer takes direct control of Sony's core electronics division. Don't let us down Howie.Update: Additional details have emerged following a Sony press conference. Sony electronics will be organized into two main groups: (1) the Networked Products and Services Group, lead by PlayStation boss (and our buddy) Kaz Harai, will consolidate Sony's PlayStation console, VAIO PCs, Walkman audio products, new mobile products and Media Software and Services to ensure a common platform with access to the PlayStation Network, and (2) the New Consumer Products Group, under Hiroshi Yoshioka, that will unite Sony's Bravia televisions with its digital imaging, home audio, and video business. All of which reports direct to Stringer.
Sony products invading new Yankee Stadium
Whilst on stage at CES, Sony CEO Howard Stringer announced a partnership with the new Yankee Stadium that will see Sony product placement appear all over the place. 550 HDTVs will be scattered liberally about the stadium, in "luxury suites, lounges, concourses, restaurants and administrative offices." PS3 games will be available to play, such as MLB: The Show and its ilk, along with more surprising titles such as SingStar.Games will be rotated periodically and it's possible that PSP and PS2 games could make an appearance, too. Sony Vaio laptops will also be dotted around for people to try out while theyre visiting. Stringer states that the "new home of the world's most renowned sports franchise -- with its storied history of leadership and excellence -- is the perfect place to showcase all that is Sony. It is thrilling for Sony to be playing a part in this new chapter in Yankee history."[Via Joystiq]
Live from Howard Stringer's CES keynote
We're back, coming at you live from Sony's second big press event. Today's keynote is anchored by Sir Howard Stringer, a handsome man with enough stature as Chairman and CEO of Sony to lure the world's press out of bed for an 08.30am presentation. Sony already hinted that we'd be hearing more about 3D television prototypes, a new camera, perhaps, and the evolution of Sony's consumer OLED display lineup. This is going to be good.
Report: Sony 'on brink of upheaval' - factory, division closures
Look, we know the economy is in shambles; a perambulating corpse, gnawing its way through the hopes and dreams of the global populace ... but this is getting ridiculous. Reports of "drastic cost cuts" at Sony have us really spooked – think not only "factory closures" but also "the abolition of several major divisions," according to the Times of London. (In response to the report, Sony told Reuters, "We don't have any such plan.")While there's no mention of specifics (will the PlayStation brand/division be affected?), the Times does quote a Credit Suisse analyst who says that, unless Sony takes aggressive steps to consolidate power in the hands of prez Howard Stringer – it will be unable to "close the gap with competitors such as Apple and Nintendo." Perhaps more evident to those of us watching the gaming industry specifically is the mention of "frustrations ... and a clear internal cultural clash between Japanese Sony and its US and European operations." We thought Kaz was going to bring some of that good, ol-fashioned American can-do attitude to Japan back in ought-six? Nevertheless, we want to talk to the investors directly:Listen guys, we know Sony's got some problems. We know that. But you've got to just chill out and relax – chillax even – and wait until the Big S shows off whatever Team ICO's got in the oven. Not buying it? How about this: Microsoft is feeling the economic pinch also, but the grapevine seems to think the Xbox division will be spared. Nintendo isn't the only competition out there, you know?
Sony on Wii: 'It's not hurting us'
That Howard Stringer is a rascal, isn't he? The Sony CEO recently spoke to German publication Die Welt about the various pies Sony currently has its fingers in, and clearly wanted to shatter a few myths regarding videogames and the current console race.First of all, the Wii isn't more fun than the PS3, no -- it's just different. PlayStation 3 titles are "designed for those who play a lot." And anyway, it could have been oh-so-different for Sony, as Stringer reckons his company was first to discover the new gamers who have flocked to the Wii. "For a while, we held the same target group with the SingStar karaoke game," opined our man in the know. "But perhaps we neglected to pursue that avenue."Stringer then confesses that Nintendo may have hit upon a superior business model by selling more consoles and making more money on hardware, before weakly claiming, "the Wii is not succeeding at our expense -- it is not hurting us." For a console that's not hurting Sony, Howard sure likes to talk about the Wii a lot. But it's definitely not hurting them.[Via Edge Online] Malice, snide remarks, and backstabbing in a bid to reach the top. No, not another day in Wii Fanboy HQ, but the constant snipes between grown-up gaming CEOs happy to dismiss the Wii as a novelty, or pretend they never really wanted those customers anyway.
