Sony is getting hit hard from all angles, all at once. To recap:
* Sony was lambasted for its proprietary copyright protection on CDs that allowed hackers to gain access to numerous PCs because of a security hole. This software was on its discs with no notice to consumers--or at least, notice was not widely advertised.
* Sony is in court over its use of the PS2 controller, which used a rumbling technology without permission of that technology's creator. In a worst-case scenario, it will have to send its profits for the PS2 to the damaged party. It'll probably just end up costing a few hundred million, though.
* Sony's UMD format has been a flop, despite 20 million PSPs shipped worldwide, and Sony will probably be out a lot of money from when it shipped the games to retailers (who often take it out of the product's manufacturer if something like that fails).
* The Playstation 3 is being griped over because of its $600 price tag, which sets it substantially above its competitors in terms of price only. Resistance is also building for the system because many consumers view it as a means to shove another Sony proprietary format down their throats.
* Sony manufactured 4.1 million batteries for Dell laptops, and they are now being recalled. Sony is paying part of the cost of the recall, as might be expected. Big money, there!
So yeah, Sony is in pretty sad shape. The Playstation brand is their only success, and now that's in danger of performing poorly. With finances going down the tubes everywhere else, will the company have enough money to protect its various interests while supporting the PS3 as aggressively as it needs to (while selling each system at a significant loss)? Signs point to... maybe.
But that's a big maybe and some who might have at one point considered a $600 investment are now doubting it...
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Genj - August 15, 2006 (08:12 PM) When I heard that report on the dell laptops, I was pretty happy that I decide against buying one recently opting to just take my damn desktop with me. But yeah, Sony is starting to look like shit. There's always been a lot of reports of Sony hardware being shoddy. My first portable CD player (this was a long time ago, folks) was a Sony and it broke after about a year. The cheaper, shitty RCA model I got afterwards still works today (granted it's never used anymore). In conclusion: SONY GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER. |
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tristis_iranica - August 15, 2006 (08:31 PM) The Turbo Duo shall rise again. |
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Halon - August 15, 2006 (09:14 PM) I just heard about this, and was pissed because I have a Dell notebook (which is fairly new). Luckily my battery isn't on the recall list! And yes, Sony sucks. |
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microvision - August 20, 2006 (01:02 PM) For some reason, I want Sony to give up the PS3 and get out of the videogame business. |
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goldenvortex - August 30, 2006 (07:45 AM) Don't say that! I have a Sony Vaio laptop. |
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