Sony "Entertaining The Future" with e-Entertainment, Digital Cinema, High-er Definition, and PlayStation 3
Though it seems like Sony has lost it's leading edge in consumer electronics, the company has some fresh news, new plans, and product releases that will open some eyes at CES. Sony Reader, Playstation 3 and PSP, Walkman phones, and Bravia HDTV line-up are a few of Sony's featured products.
Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation, delivered his keynote today at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. In his presentation, entitled "Entertaining the Future," Mr. Stringer spoke about the changing relationship between content, technology and the consumer, and outlined the "four pillars" of e-Entertainment, Digital Cinema, High-er Definition and PlayStation.
In e-Entertainment, Mr. Stringer focused on the increasingly personalized
nature of entertainment and the importance of recognizing and accommodating
the needs of the individual while providing choice
and convenience in the ways
that consumers use Sony products. Among other products, Mr. Stringer
introduced the new Sony Reader (pictured left), which will be available this spring, and was
joined on stage by Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code, to discuss the many
benefits of eBook technology for readers, authors and the environment. The
Sony Ericsson W810, the latest version of the Walkman phone, which
established the mobile phone as a credible digital music player, was also
demonstrated. Following that, Mr. Stringer showcased PlayStation Portable's ability to allow consumers to watch their favorite television
programs any time, from anywhere in the world using Sony's Location Free(R)
technology.
In a discussion of Digital Cinema, Mr. Stringer detailed how Sony's digital cinema equipment is being used by leading directors around the world to redefine the way consumers enjoy the motion picture experience. Brain Grazer, producer of the highly anticipated film The Da Vinci Code, along with the film's director, Ron Howard, and Academy Award-winning actor, Tom Hanks, joined Mr. Stringer on stage to discuss how the film is progressing and the technological advancements in high-definition filmmaking and projection systems that are keeping the theater-going experience alive and thriving. Sony also debuted a scene from its upcoming release of The Da Vinci Code.
Beyond Digital Cinema, Mr. Stringer emphasized that Sony is well- positioned to succeed in the transition to High-er Definition - both inside and out of the home.
"The transition to HD is especially important to Sony, because from film production in Hollywood to television viewing at home, Sony has connected every link in the HD chain," he said.
"With professional equipment, camcorders, television displays, Blu-ray Disc players, packaged media and more, no one is better positioned to lead the way to full high definition. That's why we say Sony is High-er Definition."
In addition to highlighting Sony's HD equipment and award-winning Grand
WEGA and BRAVIA (above) televisions, Mr. Stringer talked about the rapid growth
and proliferation of HD content. After announcing that Sony Entertainment
Television's Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune -- the two most successful game
shows in television history -- will be the first game shows available in HD
this fall, he was joined
onstage by CBS sports anchor Greg Gumbel, who
discussed the ways in which sports programming in HD is changing the nature of
the viewing experience. Michael Dell, Chairman of Dell Inc., made a special
appearance to discuss the importance of the Blu-ray disc format for both the
consumer electronics and IT industries.
n the last of the four pillars, Kaz Hirai, President and CEO of Sony
Computer Entertainment America, joined Mr. Stringer to discuss how
PLAYSTATION 3 will build on the incredible success of the PlayStation(R) 2,
which experienced a 10.5% year-over-year gain in holiday sales and was the
only platform in the videogame industry with positive growth, and on the
success of the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Mr. Hirai also emphasized
the importance of the Cell processor, which is designed to support broadband
consumer applications and HD video streams and will be at the heart of the
PLAYSTATION 3, scheduled to launch later this year. By utilizing Blu-ray,
PLAYSTATION 3 will also provide the large storage capacity required by game
creators to achieve real-time gameplay mechanics in a true HD world.
