Sony Corp.

Sony Sells U.S. Headquarters for $1.1 Billion

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 18, 2013 | 3 comments

If you woke up this morning and guessed to yourself that Sony has one less headquarters and an extra $1.1 billion, you’d be correct. Sony has just announced the sales of they New York City headquarter (pictured on the right) to a group of investors led by Chetrit Group. Sony will use the billion and change to:

“undertake a range of initiatives to strengthen its financial foundation and business competitiveness and for future growth.”

Of course simply selling a building does not equate to pocketing all that money. After paying involved fees and remaining debt related to the building, Sony will be able to cash in around $770 million. The transaction, which is expected to be completed by March, will see Sony lease the building for its Sony Music Entertainment, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment who currently reside there. According to Business Week, Sony shares surged 12 percent to 1,149 yen at the close of trading in Tokyo, the biggest gain since Oct. 14, 2008 after the announcement.

Listening To – Skylanders Giants Soundtrack

by A Glitch | Dec 22, 2012 | 0 comments

Skylanders Giants is a game where you physically place action figures into a platform to transport them into the colorful world in your television screen. While a unique and neat concept that warrants a review, let’s forgo that and take an in-depth look at the game’s soundtrack. I believe the soundtrack to a game can be an important part of the experience and its success. We’ve come a long way from the monophonic 8-bit synthesized sounds to using full blown orchestras all in order to help make games that much more exciting.

Skylanders Giants’ soundtrack is composed by Mr. Lorne Balfe, whose mastery of music composition was seen in another big title, Assassin’s Creed 3. Now that we’ve seen Mr. Balfe’s compositions in a very serious game setting, how will his music be on a completely different game with a different drive and a different audience? Our Skylanders Giants soundtrack review, after the jump.

Jim Cramer: “Sell Microsoft and Sony” Stock

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 20, 2012 | 0 comments

For those who are unfamiliar, Jim Cramer (pictured above) is the host of Mad Money on MSNBC which aims to give average viewers tips about the stock market and trading. As a regular part of the show, Jim gives his opinion on stocks and and whether someone should ‘buy’, ‘sell’ or ‘hold them. While analyst opinions which technically Jim Cramer is not one of is not something we report on regularly, Cramer does, for better or worse, hold a powerful voice with consumers who own stocks. Cramer himself has had a spotty track record with his recommendations which had him apologize on The Daily Show with John Stewart. Still, it’s noteworthy that Cramer no longer holds a positive outlook on Microsoft, despite giving the stock a buy recommendation on June 18. Microsofts 52-week high is $32.95, and its 52-week low is $25.44. Despite strong performance from the Xbox division, Microsoft has had a hard time gaining traction with Windows Phone 8 and has received a lukewarm response to Windows 8 and its Surface tablet. Not surprisingly, Sony got the worse of the two companies. His comments, after the jump.

New 49ers Stadium to Feature Sony Technology

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 12, 2012 | 0 comments

The San Francisco 49ers are in the process of building a new $1.2 billion, 68,500-seat football stadium in Santa Clara. Official groundbreaking for the new stadium took place in April 2012 with completion time planned for the 2014 NFL season. With San Francisco housing many of the world’s largest tech companies, it should come as no surprise that one of the building blocks for the new 49ers stadium revolved around its technological prowess. On Tuesday, team owners announced a new multi-year deal with Sony which will see them provide electronics inside and outside of the new stadium and sponsor the Hall of Fame.

Sony to Discontinue Handheld Tape Recorders in 2013

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 11, 2012 | 3 comments

Under new CEO Kaz Hirai, Sony’s been hard at cleaning up their operations. In under a year at the job, Sony has sold off their chemical plant business, spun off their S-LCD production and has entered talks about selling off their lithium-ion battery business. While larger assets have plagued Sony and stretched the companies focus, multiple product lines and outdated products have also been a concern. To help bring back focus to products that matter, Sony has announced that they are discontinuing their handheld tape recorders in 2013. Yes, you read that correctly, Sony still makes tape based recorders. Sony will be giving the TCM-400, TCM-410 and TCM-450 cassette recorders one last shipment in early 2013 after which will then offline. With a simplified product line which can be seen in their Windows 8 powered VAIO fleet, Sony can better use its capital and engineering prowess on products of tomorrow and not last decade. Now lets hope the company also kills off any product of theirs that are able to play a cassette.

Sony to Sell Lithium-Ion Battery Business

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 5, 2012 | 0 comments

According to the Wall St. Cheat Sheet, Sony may be in talks with Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision and other Japanese investment funds about the prospect of selling off the company’s lithium-ion battery business. Interest for Sony’s battery business seems to be high as Reuters released a report yesterday claiming that at least three investment banks have approached Sony in regards to the sale. Even if the sale goes through, its believed that Sony will continue to hold some stake in the business which is expected to earn 142.5 billion yen ($172.5 million) in the year that ends in March. A Sony spokesman said:

“It is true that we are considering reviewing batteries and other businesses unrelated to our core electronics businesses, but we have nothing concrete so far,”

Sony has been a long time supplier of notebook batteries for companies such as Dell, HP, and even Apple though they no longer use them as a partner.

Sony Updates ‘Music Unlimited’ and ‘PlayMemories Online’ for iOS 6

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 28, 2012 | 2 comments

Sony has just updated their Music Unlimited and PlayMemories Online application for iOS devices. Music Unlimited is Sony’s monthly subscription service which, as the title suggests, gives you access to unlimited music to stream on your PS3, PS Vita, Sony Bravia televisions, Blu-ray players, and iOS devices like the iPhone and iPod. Under version 1.2.1, Sony is finally supporting iOS 6 (though the app worked before on the latest from Cupertino) and “some features have been improved.” Sadly, there is still no support for iPhone 5’s larger screen or iPad devices though again, the app will continue to work, just without taking advantage of the larger screens. Given Sony’s track record for their Reader App for iOS which finally launched again, after being MIA for two years, don’t hold your collective breath for much expanded support. After the jump, we’ll talk PlayMemories Online.

PlayMemories Online is Sony’s answer to Photo Stream from Apple. The free service offers users 5GB of cloud storage space (more can be bought) which enables your photos to be synced between devices. Take a picture on your PS Vita and it will also appear on your PS3, and iOS device. PlayMemories Online shares the same support structure as Music Unlimited with app access on your PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Bravia televisions, Blu-ray players, and iOS device. Version 2.1.0 of the iOS also brings iOS 6 compatibility and “several minor bug fixes.’ As you would guess, don’t look for iPhone 5 or iPad support on this app. Both applications are available for free.

Sony Generates Additional $1.9 Billion

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 27, 2012 | 0 comments

Times are tough for many Japanese electronic maker who failed to transition from a hardware driven world to a more software focused one. Sony is no stranger to this and has been working hard at shifting its gears by becoming a more lean and competitive company under long time company veteran and new CEO, Kaz Hirai. To help strengthen the companies cloud initiative, Sony bought Gaikai in early July which many believe will help fuel the PlayStation 4. In addition to that, Sony also spend hundred of millions of dollars on rescuing another Japanese company, Olympus.

Now that Sony has finished with its shopping spree and has seen a return to profit in some divisions with only a $198 million net loss, the company needs to pay down its debts and acquisitions. To to this, Sony hired JPMorgan Chase & Co, Goldman Sachs, Nomura Holdings and SMBC Nikko Securities to handle the offering. Under them, Sony will issue the five-year bonds convertible into own shares and raise $1.9 billion (150 billion yen) in the process. One third of this will help pay for the companies investment in Olympus which is geared towards strengthening the companies CMOS image censors while the rest will help pay for Gaikai and other debts.

Sony Announces XAVC 4k Video Codec, Adobe and Apple Sign Up

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 14, 2012 | 0 comments

Sony is not only leading the charge of 4K with their epic 84-inch 4K television,but with content creation tools as well. Announced today, Sony will be releasing an SDK to developers for their XAVC 4K video format. The new format is already being utilized in the newly released Sony F5 and F55 CineAlta camcorders. Sony is also no stranger to creating more pro-consumer and indy 4K equipment, like the NEX-FS700 which is priced bellow $10,000 and includes lens, battery, and screen, unlike RED cameras. So far, fourteen companies, including Adobe and Apple, creator of the popular Premier Pro and Final Cut have signed on with the later already supporting 4K editing.

Listening To – Assassin’s Creed III Soundtrack

by A Glitch | Nov 11, 2012 | 3 comments

Music is the unsung hero of the gaming industry today. Without a great soundtrack to a game, said game can be extremely lackluster and silly no matter how good the story line, gameplay, and presentation are. Technology has allowed for the integration of music in video games in such a big way, that we have gone from the monophonic sounds of a game like Space Invaders (with 2 alternating tones going the speed of the alien’s movements, kind of like Jaws) to something like the Assassin’s Creed III soundtrack with a full orchestra and more creating some really amazing music that would be very hard to hear otherwise.

Lorne Balfe, the award-winning composer and mastermind behind the Assassin’s Creed III soundtrack, decided to make some very interesting sounds by integrating what sounds like and may very well be Native American instruments, which really is an incredible choice given the setting in the game. While listening to the soundtrack, you can sometimes hear what sounds like an Anasazi Flute, joining the orchestra in a very organic way, creating some very interesting sound textures and chords that really add so much more to the already amazing sound of a full orchestra. The heavily percussive writing also makes the experience of listening to the soundtrack more interesting and really puts a vision of a Native American tribe in your head with an instrument that sounds like a Charango (which is a native american string instrument that resembles a very small guitar) and even sometimes there are, what I think, hints of the Apache fiddle which add an interesting color to the string section any time they have a pronounced part in the score. Another out-of-the-ordinary instrument that Mr. Balfe has decided to use is the integration of electronic sounds and samples. Unlike the samples we think of today (bits and pieces of other tunes used as a background theme for other tunes).

The electronic samples in the score are just synthesized articulations and timbres that are otherwise impossible to include, since no other real instrument can recreate these sounds. As a musician, as soon as I heard the electronics being used, I , due to preconceived notions, began to dislike the entire soundtrack. “Why not get a real musician to make these sounds instead of using electronics?” I thought. However, I immediately felt ashamed of myself for thinking these negative thoughts, because the electronic sounds are used in such a way that is really organic. The electronic sounds are a part of the ensemble, not just someone hitting a single button to add sounds while editing in post. The addition of electronics in this soundtrack are not only extremely beneficial to the soundtrack in order to portray an image of our new assassin running around in 1776, but it also portrays an image of the other side of the story as well, the story that takes in present time. Symbolically as well, the addition of electronics really shows the integration of Native American instruments and modern instruments, past meets present, just like how the game’s storyline seamlessly delves back and forth from 1776 to the present day.

Sony’s ‘Reader’ App Arrives on iOS

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 7, 2012 | 0 comments

Sony is no stranger to the eReader market, having been one of the pioneers of the format, though you wouldn’t guess that now, due to their nearly non-existant marketshare. Like Amazon, Sony also offers an app, for multiple platforms, including iOS and Android. The Reader app which famously launched in 2010 for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch was soon after rejected, due to Apple’s policy of not allowing apps that bypassed Apple’s own in-app purchase system. Now, after two years, iOS fans who might own a Sony Reader can rejoice at the arrival of the Sony Reader app.

As you would expected, the app allows for synchronization of your books between iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), Android and Sony Readers. The free app this time around abides by Apple’s policy, leaving users to either purchase eBooks through the web browser of their choice which allows them to instantaneously appear in the app or access previously purchased books. Though fully compatible with the iPad and iPad mini, Sony has yet to make a native app for the iPad which rival Amazon has had from day one which begs the question, what has Sony been doing for two years?

Sony Lowers Loss to $198 Million, Begins Road to Recovery

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 6, 2012 | 3 comments

In case of most healthy companies like Apple Inc. or Samsung, its only a cause for celebration when their earnings improve from one quarter to another. Now, Sony is looking to join this club, all be it in a completely different manor. After having recorded enormous losses for four years, including a record $5.7 billion loss last year, the PlayStation makers and once television pioneer was able to record a $312 million Q1 loss for 2012 and followed up with a Q2 loss of $198.

While this would be a sign of alarm for any of the big players like the two mentioned above, this marks a welcomed change for Sony who seems be lowering its losses with each quarter. This of course comes in the wake of a 10,000 job cut that has begun to take effect and help reduce the red ink. Sony has even reported a drop in the companies restructuring costs over the last year which has seen the company sell off its chemical business, relocate its mobile HQ from Europe to Japan and close one of its lens plants.

A bright spot for Sony was their mobile division which heavily revolves around their smartphone and tablet strategy. Thanks to increased sales of their Xperia smartphones, Sony was able to raise their revenue to $3.9 billion, more than double of their previous quarter. Despite that, the division still reported a $296 million loss, compared to $356 million loss in Q1. Other healthy divisions for Sony includes their gaming, music and picture divisions which all stayed in the black. Notably, their imaging sensors division reported a $382 million profit, thanks to many DSLR utilizing Sony’s sensors, including Nikon and the iPhone 4S.

Sony’s television division has famously reported a loss for 8 years and this quarter was no different. However, much like the company, big improvements have been made on the Bravia line which includes a more defined and simplified line. This led to a $203 million loss which is far better than the 2011 Q2 $526 million loss. Which acquisitions of Gaikai and a big financial backing of Olympus, Sony’s revenue for the fiscal year ending in March 2013 is expected to drop by $2 billion, down to $83 billion.

Sony Outlines 10,000 Job Cuts

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 19, 2012 | 0 comments

Way back in April, Sony announced that it was planning on cutting 10,000 employees from its global workforce in late 2012. The company whose been hit hard the last decade due to increased competition from Samsung and Apple has also seen its financials tank, thanks to its slumping LCD business. Sony hopes that the reduction in its work force will allow for a more streamlined operation.

Come March, the full reduction will have taken place with 2,000 job cuts alone coming from their main Japanese headquarter. The plant in Minokamo where Sony manufactures interchangeable lenses for digital SLR cameras, lens blocks, and mobile phones will be shut down entirely, resulting in 840 employees losing their jobs. Some bit of good news comes from the companies early retirement program which is designed to soften the blow and

“assist employees to secure new opportunities outside the Company,”

Sony is also getting out of the chemical product business, something most people weren’t even aware of that Sony partook in. Sony sold that business in September. The total job cuts from Japan will tally between 3,000 to 4,000 while the rest will come from Sony’s global workforce.

Of course, its been proven time and time again that you cannot cut your way out of a troubled company. Though I’m sure in Sony’s case, there are many over lapping positions and divisions which need to be cut to help make the company more robust, their true savior will come in the form of creating compelling products with proper marketing that people will want to buy. In the end, even if Sony had 10 employees, with no compelling products, then its 10 employees too many.

Discuss:

What does Sony need to do to bounce back?

After the jump, your comments and the press release.

Sony R&D to Triple Apple, Misses the Point

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 28, 2012 | 10 comments

Shoji Nemoto, an executive VP in charge of technology strategy and R&D at Sony, announced today that the company is planning on increasing their R&D focus. Specifically, Sony plans to invest heavily on cloud computing and display panels. Sony, once the world’s number one TV manufacturer has now slumped to 3rd place while rivals Samsung and LG have claimed the first and second spot. With a drastic decline in LCD pricing and sales, Sony’s television division has resulted in losses for eight consecutive years. Cloud computing has also been a miss for the electronic giant who has struggled to offer a competitive and compelling service to iTunes and now iCloud.

Sony also “won’t hesitate” to buy outside technology, though Mr. Nemoto wasn’t clear if that meant licensing or acquisition of other companies. Last year, Sony spent $5.5 billion on R&D while rival Apple only spent $2.4 billion. For those playing at home, Apple holds a $632 billion market cap while Sony sits at $12 billion.

“One of the problems is that Sony’s R&D spending hasn’t really led to products, sales or profit,” said Kazuharu Miura, a Tokyo-based analyst at SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. “Any company would want to boost earnings from R&D, but it hasn’t really worked well for Japanese manufacturers.”

Let’s talk after the jump.

Here We Go: PSN Hacked Again? (updated)

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 15, 2012 | 0 comments

Here we go again folks. A recent tweet (seen below) from super fantastical hacker group Anonymous has the internet and gamers in uproar again, by claiming to have hacked the PlayStation Network (PSN) again. Those who are familiar with the matter will note that the group nearly 16 months ago hacked Sony which resulted in the company shutting down PSN for over a month and killing off the Qriocity brand.

Anonymous claims to have 50 gigabyte database of email accounts and passwords though this time around, all of that data appears to be encrypted. Sony has yet to confirm or deny the attack. Wether the attack is true or not, I highly recommend signing into your PSN account from a computer and changing your password, just to be on the safe side of things. We’ll have more on this as it develops. After the jump, a direct link to change your account.

Update:

Good news as the entire thing appears to be fake (thank god). Seems like the group was trying to get some attention while scaring off gamers. Still, its a good time to look at your account and make sure that your password is solid.