Sony To Launch iTunes Competitor

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Sony confirmed yesterday that they plan to launch an online media store (BusinessWeek) in order to sell music, movies, and books for use on a variety of products. This new store will be called Sony Online Service, and it will be launched as part of Sony's push to reverse their recent losses with an increase in software content.

This new online store will be a direct competitor to iTunes. Anyone who sells media over the Internet is a competitor to iTunes. The question on everyone's mind is; what will Sony do to differentiate their Online Store from all of the others? How will they compete with iTunes?

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Posted on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:22:20 CST | by Robert Evans

Early Amazon Black Friday Deal Is Sony PS3 With Free EA Game

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In today's Amazon Black Friday Countdown deal you can buy a Sony PS3 Slim and get a select EA Sports Game Free with your purchase.
Amazon offers FIFA Soccer 10, Madden NFL 10 and NHL 10 as EA Game choices. These are all new games and you save over $50 with this early Black Friday PS3 deal.
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Posted on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:37:54 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

280-inch Sony 3D LED Display Demonstrated in Japan

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3D is the new hot topic for TV makers. New technical advances are showing up and some 3D enabled TVs and other devices are already available on the market for consumers. One major unsolved problem is still the availability of 3D content.
According to TechOn, Sony dazzled crowds at the International Broadcast Equipment Exhibition 2009 in Japan this week with a 280-inch 3D LED display (measuring 6.4x3.4m).
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Posted on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony Reader Daily Edition Available For Pre-Order

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Do you have a maddeningly powerful, nigh-unsatisfiable thirst for a Sony Reader? Probably not. But if you think the Reader Daily Edition sounds like a cool gadget, you can pre-order it now from SonyStyle.com. The Reader Daily Edition is a pretty big step up from the Sony Reader. The Daily Edition adds a 3G wireless connection, and also packs 2 GB of internal memory, a 7" screen, and expansion slots for memory cards.

Oh, and did I mention the 3G is free? There are no fees for basic connectivity. That sounds really odd, but you have to remember that Sony is relying on 3G access to provoke people into making impulse e-book purchases. The Reader Daily Edition doesn't have a browser in the traditional sense, so it's not like people are going to run Sony into bankruptcy by browsing excessively.

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Posted on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:49:45 CST | by Robert Evans

Sony PS3 Firmware 3.10 With Facebook Arrives Today

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Sony announced that the new Sony PS3 Firmware 3.10 will be available today. As reported on Tuesday, the new PS3 system update brings Facebook integration.
With the new Facebook integration, PS3 console owners now have access to a truly social and seamless user experience. Read more

Posted on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:07:31 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony PS3 Firmware 3.10 Features Facebook Integration

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Sony is going to release the new firmware 3.10 for the Sony PS3 soon. On their official blog Sony is giving a preview of the new Sony PS3 firmware 3.10.
With firmware 3.10 you will be able to link your PSN account with your Facebook account. By linking your PlayStation Network account to your Facebook account, you will have the option for the Sony PS3 to automatically update your Facebook News Feed with Trophy and PlayStation Store activity.

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Posted on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:36:41 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

First Amazon Countdown to Black Friday Deal: Sony PSP Go With $50 PSN Credit

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I was already predicting when the PSPgo came out that new PSP would get a lower price or offered with special bundles to drive sales during the holiday shopping season. The UMD-less PSP is much more expensive than the PSP-3000 and therefore received controversial reviews.
Now Amazon is offering the Sony PSPgo with a $50 PlayStation Network Credit for $244.99 as their first item in the new Amazon Countdown to Black Friday 2009 sale in their video games section. This deal gives you some budget to buy digital content for your new PSPgo. Read more

Posted on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:58:24 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony XBR12 OLED TV Will Be 21'', Debute At CES 2010

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Don't lie; if you had thousands of dollars of expendable income to burn through, you'd buy one. OLED TVs are too hot for any geek to not want, and too expensive for most of us to even consider. While we don't have too long to wait before OLED becomes cheaper than LCD, it's still a few years off. This year at CES 2010 we'll get a chance to see a major step forward in this technology.

Currently, LG's 15" TV is the largest commercially available OLED TV. However, Electronista has heard word that Sony is about to bring out an OLED TV that beats LGs by 10". The XBR11 will be a 21" HD OLEDTV with a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and a greater than 720p resolution.

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Posted on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:28:16 CST | by Robert Evans

Sony KDL-ZX OLED HDTV Rumored For CES 2010

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Some information on the new upcoming Sony TVs has leaked. One of the leaked models has OLED in the name.
According to slides leaked on HDTVLounge (Via OLED-Display) Sony will add an OLED TV to its ZX series. The Sony ZX series is currently composed of the ultra-thin (9.99mm) Sony KDL-40ZX1 (shown in photo; available in UK).
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Posted on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony Networked TV and Blu-ray Owners Get Exclusive Movie Access Before Release

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Today Sony announced that owners of Sony networked BRAVIA HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc players will be able to get an exclusive in-home offer to rent the Sony Pictures animated hit, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, four weeks before it is available at retail.
Starting today, customers who purchase a networked BRAVIA HDTV or Blu-ray Disc player and register the device between Nov. 9, 2009 and Jan. 4, 2010, will receive a free 24-hour rental of the movie in high definition (a value of $24.95).
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Posted on Mon, 9 Nov 2009 07:59:29 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

The Sony Ericsson Kurara: 720p Recording+AMOLED screen=Hot

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I'm currently in a committed relationship with my Android smartphone, but that doesn't mean I have to stop looking at other devices. Some of them I might even want to oggle lecherously while sweating and mumbling under my breath. That might make me sound like a bit of a freak, but the Ericsson Kurara really does look that hot.

This new smartphone was leaked out on an Ericsson fan forum and brought into the English-speaking blogosphere by Boy Genius. As best we can tell, the Kurara is an S60-running smartphone with an 8.1 MP camera, like the Rachel. Unlike the Rachel, the Kurara's camera is supposed to be able to record in 720p HD. The Kurara is also rumored to pack an AMOLED screen, although that's impossible to confirm with the photos we have.

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Posted on Sat, 7 Nov 2009 06:06:17 CST | by Robert Evans

Netflix Streaming On Sony PS3 Demoed On Video

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Netflix and Sony announced that the Sony PS3 would be getting Netflix enabled. Netflix streaming is very nice to have and was already available on the Xbox 360. Now the PS3 has it too.

To run the Netflix streaming you need a disc Netflix is sending out when you request one.
Engadget has a story featuring a video demonstration of Netflix in action from a user who already received a PS3 Netflix DVD. The Netflix UI looks very smooth on the PS3. You can see the walk through below.
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Posted on Fri, 6 Nov 2009 13:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony PS3 Slim 20% Off In Germany, Possible PS3 Slim Black Friday Deal?

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We rarely report about electronics sales that happen in Germany as we are focusing on our U.S. readers. But this is interesting also for the U.S. market as it might give some ideas on how low the price of the Sony PS3 Slim could go on Black Friday.
Amazon Deutschland and MediaMarkt are offering the Sony PS3 Slim right now at only 239 Euro instead of 299 Euro, which is a 20% discount.
If you apply a 20% discount on the U.S. pricing of the Sony PS3 Slim you would get a price of $239.99 instead of $299.99.
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Posted on Thu, 5 Nov 2009 07:44:37 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Four New Sony PSP-3000 Holiday Value Packs Hit Japan

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Sony has with the PSP Go a new PSP model, which does not mean though that the PSP-3000 is now outdated. To the contrary, the PSP-3000 is still the main portable Sony console.
Japanese gamers get four new PSP-3000 value packs for the Holidays.
The bundle pack will include the PSP handheld entertainment system (PSP-3000) in Piano Black, Pearl White, Vibrant Blue or Radiant Red color, a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2), a pouch and a cloth.
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Posted on Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 Review

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The Sony Cyber-shot TX1 is supposed to take great photos in low light situations and features the new Party-shot option which automatically takes happy, smiling photos of your family and friends. The new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 was unveiled in August.
PhotographyBlog has tested the TX1 and published this review. Read more

Posted on Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

250GB Sony PS3 Slim Ships Today

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The new 250GB Sony PS3 Slim console started shipping today. The new 250GB Sony PS3 Slim is selling for $349.99 and is still in stock on Amazon.com. I checked Walmart and they are marking the 250GB PS3 Slim as out of stock.

Sony puts a $50 premium on the 250GB PS3 Slim compared to the 120GB Sony PS3 Slim console, which sounds fair. Read more

Posted on Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Samsung's Profit Tripled, Sony Still Makes Losses

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Sony once again reported a loss for the last quarter. The loss was less ($287.5m) than the predictions of analysts though. The issues for Sony are still the high yen, bad economy, but also weak demand for Sony electronics.
In contrast Korean Samsung soars, tripling its net income to 3.72 trillion won for the quarter compared to last year.
Samsung is doing very well in chips and mobile phones, but also its LCD panel and TV business is thriving. Samsung also mentions that their bottom line was improved by increased sales of premium LED and 240Hz TV panels. Read more

Posted on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:35:40 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony Licenses VIZIO Digital TV Patents

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Sony and Vizio have been fighting in court over patent disputes for a while now. Today Vizio has announced that Sony has licensed its patent portfolio for use. Vizio claims it is continuing to expand its patent portfolio.

"We are pleased with the result of our patent licensing efforts. It further demonstrates the technical strength and value of VIZIO's patent portfolio," said Rob Brinkman, VIZIO V.P. of Operations and Administration. Read more

Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Sony Recalls Computer AC Adapters Over Shock Risk

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There have been several recalls in the last few week of products in the consumer electronics world. Today Sony has issued a recall of 69,000 AC adapters for various models of its VAIO computers. The specific adapter recalled is the Sony VGP-AC19V17.

The power adapter was supplied for use with the VAIO all-in-one computers, VAIO docking stations, VGC-LT, and VGC-JS2 series of computers and the VGP-PRBX1 and VGP-PRFE1 models. The adapters were sold at the SonyStyle store and website from September 2005 to October 2009. Read more

Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Gift Tip 3: Sony S-Frame DPF-D72N/BQ Holiday

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Sony has released the Sony S-Frame DPF-D72N/BQ digital photo frame which will be appealing to those who enjoy bedazzled gadgets. It is likely that the Sony S-Frame DPF-D72N/BQ digital photo frame will be more appealing to the ladies, since it has a slightly feminine look. The photo frame has embedded Crystalized Swarvoski Elements, so it’s an affordable bedazzling.
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Posted on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:58:05 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony PS3 Gets Netflix Movie Streaming

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Last week we reported that Netflix will be available on a mystery device with material install base. Today Sony announced that the Sony PS3 will get Netflix streaming enabled.
It was clear that the new device had to be a game console. Sony did the right step here and took away a big selling point of the Xbox 360, which has supported Netflix streaming for a while now. Read more

Posted on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:15:40 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr