Another piece of Howard Stringer's (pictured right) Sony revival plan has been revealed and the rumor is that it includes a video download service that will compete with Apple's iTunes. The rumor, floated by The Wall Street Journal claims, *"People familiar with the situation say Mr. Stringer has been laying the groundwork in recent months to shift the company's focus to video downloading." *
Stringer's alleged idea is to use the PlayStation3, the PSP and the Bravia HD televisions to launch the initiative. Sony would have it's work cut out for it as partnerships like NBC/NewsCorp. have already moved forward with major video download initiatives.
If the rumor pans out, such a move might finally deliver on the content-meets-technology convergence that Sony has had difficultly implementing in a truly synergistic manner. Meanwhile, Apple has cleared out a space at San Francisco's Moscone Center to make a major announcement tomorrow and the size of the venue has led some to opine that Steve Jobs might have more up his sleeve than the rumored new iPod--yet another thorn in the side of Sony whose Walkman business has been severely hobbled by Apple in recent years.
