PSN to be basis of Sony iTunes rival, accounts top 33 million

PS3 and PSP's online component will form backbone of Sony Online Service, a content-delivery system common to HDTVs, Blu-ray players, PCs, MP3 players, e-readers, and mobile devices.

In addition to confirming that 3D gaming for the PlayStation 3 was coming in 2010, yesterday's Sony Corp. global strategy presentation revealed that a premium subscription service will be added to the PlayStation Network. Those two initiatives were revealed as part of a far larger vision that will see Sony try to overtake rival Apple's iTunes service with a common content distribution system for all its media products.

Sony aims to bring together all its products via one common online platform.

Temporarily named the Sony Online Service (SOS), the ambitious initiative aims to offer a single user experience across all its network media devices, from portable media players to large-screen Bravia HDTVs. At the presentation, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai outlined the service as part of his duties as executive vice president of Sony's Networked Product and Services group, which SCE was folded into this year.

According to Hirai, the SOS will support a single user ID across all Sony products, all of which will have a common user experience. The goal will be to encourage consumers to buy more Sony products because of the "enhanced value," which Sony feels they will have by being able to tap into SOS. The presentation held up HDTVs, Blu-ray players, the Sony Reader electronic book, laptops, Walkman MP3 players, the PSP Go, and the PS3 as examples of devices that would use the service.

The PSN will be SOS's basis.

The inclusion of the PSP and PS3 is no coincidence, since the PlayStation Network will be the basis for the entire SOS structure. Through a translator, Hirai explained that "the service will be launched economically and quickly by leveraging the PlayStation [Network] service platform. For example, key assets for creating a network service management system, payment system, and content distribution system will be shared with the PSN platform so that initial investment risk can be minimized."

With PSN as its backbone, the Sony Online Service will also attempt to expand into the company's line of mobile devices. "The introduction of new mobile products that are network enabled will be a key part of this process, as mobile products which users turn to throughout the day will be a key entry point to this service," said Hirai. The company did not give a launch window for SOS, nor did it say how much money it was investing in the initiative.

Sony reports that PSN's growth is accelerating.

Sony justified its faith in the strength of the PSN architecture by revealing that as of November 16, the service had 33 million registered users. Each day, an average of 5.4 million people log onto the service, some 1.4 million of whom visit the PlayStation Store. Each month, Sony says PSN users download 25 petabytes of content, enough to fill 5,000 single-layer DVDs. Currently more than 650 PS3 and PSP games are available on the PlayStation Store, along with 2,417 movies, 15,042 TV shows, and more than 10,000 "extra items" such as themes. Hirai said the company now expects to sell $50 billion ($562.6 million) worth of goods on the service during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010--a threefold increase over the previous year.

319 Comments

  • AlphaCommando

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 6:25 am PT

    As much as I object to this 'take over the electronics world' idea, I'd easily be suckered in by my PS3.

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 2:47 pm PT

    mrzero1982pt2
    not really, the psn video store isnt just sony pictures

  • devious122799

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 10:07 am PT

    Funny seems like a great idea, but I smell pending anti trust suits brewing.

  • TevoxZi

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 1:06 am PT

    @pedrovieira123
    I'm afraid that does not change the fact that I haven't ever experienced lag on PSN, not even in the 3rd party peer to peer servers. Are you using Wi-Fi on PS3? Because if you are, just use an Ethernet cable and you'll see what I mean.

    @wwonka666
    The one that's on your GameSpot profile isn't really displayed as a card, you can put it on by going into your Gamespot profile settings and there you should find "PS3 ID". There are numerous of sites where you can get a PSN Gamercard, (including the Official PS Site, I think?) If nothing else, you can put the "Gamercard" as your signature on GameSpot forums for example, but the one displayed on your profile is in the settings.

  • mrzero1982pt2

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 10:14 pm PT

    im not saying that this is a BAD thing it is just that sony, if this happens would only distribute SONY programming and sony media(tv shows, music, whatever) there would be no itunes like stuff. you couldnt fire this up and download something like... lady gaga(shes signed to universal) you could only download SONY artists.

  • damo320

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 5:05 pm PT

    @ fps dominator: Read todays story about PSN and having to pay for a "new premium service" next year. Guess you were standing up for the right people?? Shame the Sony bigwigs got different plans to you eh?

    Also your comment about Apple was very very wrong. Waaaaay more people own iPods and iPhones than the crappy Sony Ericsson phones or portable Sony music and video players. Sorry but I couldn't let that one go - it was just simply too wrong in the context of devices directly related to the music store.

    Apple launched iTunes in 2001 dude. You seriously think Sony music service is going to just jump into competing with Apples 8 year catalogue? Or that Sony is going to sign anywhere NEAR as many exclusive deals as Apple? Apple managed to convince musicians who were against having their music online to come on board "exclusively" - ie Led Zepplin.

  • BigBangBear

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 4:09 pm PT

    Sounds like a decent plan. Hope it works out and isn't too expensive.

  • MERGATROYDER

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 3:44 pm PT

    Sony is finally heading in the right direction with this plan. I just hope they don't try and monopolize hardware.

  • BDNiner

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 3:29 pm PT

    @jpsaply
    And because they want to you to spend your money on all their products so that you are tied in the same way and Apple does with itunes. You will end up buying a PS3, a Sony TV. A sony wireless router, a sony sound system... so that everything will play nice with each other.

  • Fists1

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 3:00 pm PT

    once my iPod dies I'm definetly changing mp3 device, I'm sick of apple's programs. Sony may just suit, although living in Australia mobile wireless is less than stellar, hell streaming on a home network usually sucks.

  • qpitty

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 2:55 pm PT

    This sounds interesting. I don't see how they could topple itunes but Walkmans have been around forever and I hear they are high quality. Connection to the psn is also good for ps3s and psps. I think it could at least do better than the zune.

  • mrguitar92

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 2:19 pm PT

    if Sony made a Walkman with as much memory as an iPod then I'd buy it, anyone that's heard both knows that Sony has better quality sound.

  • gnrlstuart

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 1:41 pm PT

    the only reason why xbox live cannot support 256 players is because most xbox live games do not use servers at all, and instead use peer to peernetworking, in which the latency is drastically increased compared to psn's dedicated network servers, resulting in lag in the game, the voice chat, and altering latency which can make games unfair in favour of the host. peer to peer also suffers depending on the amount of players connected, whereas resistance can handle 60 players lag free, a MW2 session with a less than stellar connection can go to crap. so its nothing to do with the 'quality' of the servers,

  • Nerkle01

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 1:10 pm PT

    @ InkyRed i agreee haha. It wud be funny if they said 1 blu ray disc.

  • Nerkle01 posted Nov 23, 2009 12:54 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Nerkle01

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 12:54 pm PT (hide)

    wtff they shud make 2 diff psns 1 for gamin the other for w.e. N they better not start chargin that b cheap like microsoft

  • MNBeta03

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 12:47 pm PT

    @mrzero1982pt2
    @clownt33

    And essentially what this move means is they are trying to compete with the ipod to increase the exposure of the PSP. Despite Apple's limited exposure and maybe elitist exposure in other areas they are a monster in this market. Who doesn't have and ipod, iphone, or shuffle if not multiples of these devices? Technology wise they are generations ahead of anything else. This is a waste... they would be better off with a itunes partnership.

  • RACOON-CITY

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 12:44 pm PT

    Can't wait for it, should be a cool addition. I especially like the linking of all accounts together.

  • vf21x

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 12:40 pm PT

    LIVE is becomming obsolete................It was fun while it lasted 360!!!

  • jellyBEANz1

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 12:35 pm PT

    @mark_unix
    Being totally honest here, I prefer my PS3 to my 360, but wow... that has gotta be the most one-sided statement I have read in the past month. Microsoft does not know how to do anything.. just wow. Next time I'm debating the topic of Sony vs Microsoft, I'll be sure to quote you.

  • mark_unix

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 11:29 am PT

    sony could actually make devices which could beat the ipod, as sony actually has the know-how and Microsoft does not know how to do anything...

  • killzone_gamer

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 11:16 am PT

    60 on Resistance 2, although impressive, is nothing compared to MAG's 256 players lag free in one game. Now THAT is impressive, and could not be done on the 360, so I hear.
    *waits for "thumbs down" from xbox fanboys in denial to appear*

  • fps_d0minat0r

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 10:26 am PT

    @ pedrovieira123

    regardless of what you have, its a fact that XBL cannot do 60 players lag free.
    its stuggling with gears of war at only 10 players and hasnt beaten 40 players which ps3 did when it launched.

    dont fool yourself into thinking the servers on XBL are better because their not.........ive played resistance 2 with full 60 players many times during peak hours and still no realiseable lag what so ever.

    i would rather take the better service for free then think another service which is worse, is better just because im paying for it.

  • pedrovieira123 posted Nov 23, 2009 10:21 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    pedrovieira123

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 10:21 am PT (hide)

    @TevoxZi

    Never experience lag is unrealistic specially on the PSN, i have both systems and the latency is much better on the xboxlive.

  • InkyRed

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 10:18 am PT

    "Each month, Sony says PSN users download 25 petabytes of content, enough to fill 5,000 single-layer DVDs." No, they should say how many blurays it can fill...

  • wwonka666

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 10:11 am PT

    @TevoxZi

    Where do I get a PSN Gamercard?

  • TevoxZi

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 9:27 am PT

    @pedrovieira123
    I have never ever experienced lag on PSN and I'm being serious. Sure, I believe people have encountered that and I might be one of the few that hasn't experienced it. I have a 24mbps, so that might explain it.

  • deesnutts25

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 9:06 am PT

    @vicsrealms

    Making a game on a console doesn't take away from the mod community. The big thing with the console version of dragon age, you can't open the dev console and cheat to the end. Theres not much need to mod games like mw2, stuff like cs and stuff thats been out for a while, yea i can see mods for those. PC gaming, sure if you have the money and want to build the super pc then go for it. Games that are on a pc and consol are done for a reason, $300 console or $3000 pc you pick. As for your MW2 and being disappointed, well I didn't like the ending to the game, thats about it. The rest had some improvements over the first one, so I gave it its props there.

    As far as your system bricking, well I have an un-modded ps3 and it works just fine/did not brick. When i say mod the ps3, i'm not talking about adding to the hardware i'm refering to messing with the software, since it is a software update if you tamper with it, it will brick your system, that is how it was designed.

  • Blue-Sky

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 8:52 am PT

    If Sony doesn't release SOS for PC. Then, yes they will fail.

  • pedrovieira123

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 8:43 am PT

    This is going to fail, what is the point on creating such service, I can't see anyone that I know using this, specially because there is an already mature and superior service out there.... Would be better is sony invested in psn to have less lag than this....

    @fps_d0minat0r

    PSN better than xbox360? I have both consoles but you are joking correct? The PSN suffers heavy lag, instability, lack of options, lack of decent voice chat, etc and you say it's better than Xboxlive... I rather pay £35 a year to play decently online than use my PS3 to go on PSN, there is no competition on that sector, if you were to speak about other sectors, sure I could agree but not on online Xboxlive is much better than psn.

  • brad12d3

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 8:32 am PT

    "Temporarily named the Sony Online Service (SOS)" The SOS thing made me chuckle a little. The irony would be is if this didn't work and it greatly hurt the company financially. Murphy and his f'ing law. It does happen, watch what you say, or name something.

  • mrzero1982pt2

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 8:08 am PT

    @mnbeta03

    no. microsoft KNEW when they made the zune they would not be able to beat the ipod or itunes. they said they wanted 2 or 3 percent of the market, and that is what they have. they just wanted people to know there was an alternative of an ipod. and i have an ipod and i love the zune.

  • clownt33

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 8:04 am PT

    @MNBeta03.. PSP is a kids device? when did this happen... apparently i need to call and alert all my friends in their mid 30s to stop playing... there are 50+million PSPs out there.. yeah, no one owns one

  • mrzero1982pt2

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 7:58 am PT

    they tried this years ago, before itunes. itunes just came and the world thought it would be "better" which in some ways, its only semi decent. this will not work because both companies are staunch supporters of their proprietary media formats(aac and whatever sony uses). this, in my opinion would work and work better for ALL formats(including zune) if these companies could come up with one uniform format. sony's "connect" service failed because it was cumbersome to buy something in aac format, only to find out later every song you burned on your minidisc would not be able to play until you formatted everything you burned on the md to the format of purchased media!

  • fps_d0minat0r

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 7:51 am PT

    @ damo320

    i have no problems with you paying.

    im just saying its a disgrace that M$ actually charge you to play a game like MW2 which runs on privately hosted servers and isnt made by microsoft.

    and btw you should take a look at what your paying for.........just because its more expensive doesnt mean its better.
    no doubt psn servers are better holding more players with minimal lag but even other services psn is offering are on par or exceed what xbl is offering.

    1 advantage is cross game chat, but face it.........how many people use it? and its not exactly worth £40 a year.

    imo the servers and a web browser alone should be enough to make u decide psn is better.

    @ MNBeta03
    theres way more people with sony products then apple products.
    to compete i think their gonna need a better name then SOS, LOL.

  • mrguitar92

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 7:49 am PT

    Surely Sony's BMG record company will play a factor with competing with iTunes..?

  • MNBeta03

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 7:34 am PT

    Unwise Sony, very much unwise. Apple has established the standard and there is little about it that you can improve upon it. Apple needs to do nothing in response to this as its will it will fizzle out just like the last big challenger, Zune. I don't think the networkability of Sony devices is gonna be a big enough sell. Honestly, how many people own a PSP? Its a teenager and younger device and they don't pay for subscriptions... and they are way better at finding the free stuff.

  • Bimdeman

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 7:31 am PT

    Good for you Trogeton. Unfortunately, some of us are honest and pay for things.

  • Trogeton

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 7:03 am PT

    just like apple itunes.. this means nothing to me.. I get all my movies and music absolutely free

  • damo320

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 6:49 am PT

    @fps dominator: I have no problems paying for a premium service. If I was getting a second rate service for free I'm not going to complain though. I'm just saying if I can get a premium service I'm more than happy paying for it. So enjoy your free PSN.

  • damo320

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 6:47 am PT

    This is Sony fighting on the back foot. Apple made the first aggressive move by entering the mobile gaming device market and having good reception. Sony is simply responding but the big difference is setting up this "music catalogue" to rival Apples massive collection so late in the game will cost Sony a fortune now. Sony left such a competitive move about 3 years too late.

  • Kenrocc

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 5:28 am PT

    im not putting my faith in this put im not doubting it either i mean we all laughed at wal mart when the said they were going to beat sears..... looked what happened

  • SmashingX

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 5:12 am PT

    excellent news. i'd love for the psn to have a music store. couple that w/ the psp and u've struck gold. i'm surprised they've just now started in this direction.

  • deadkingdg

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 5:07 am PT

    I think we've had the proof so far that when Sony is ambitious, we never end up with what they really wanted at first. If they do, nice, but I don't have high hopes.

  • -HCMF-

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 4:57 am PT

    well it is noce to see that they are not taking the fight laying down anymore.

  • fps_d0minat0r

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 3:37 am PT

    @ raplips
    everything when you bought your console will stay free, their talking about additional services.

    charging gamers to play online is a disgrace and as far as i know only 1 company does that, M$........they didnt even make most the games which their charging people to play. Its daylight robbery.

  • Darkman2007

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 1:42 am PT

    competition is always good, and usually means things are cheaper for the consumer.

    so this is welcome news

  • parrot_of_adun

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 1:26 am PT

    @Noformation

    Yeah, I figured Sony didn't actually plan to make $50B

    Also, I really want to see that "wearable display" and how it might work with a mobile device of some kind...

  • Noformation

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 1:03 am PT

    @ parrot_of_adun
    typo, should be ¥ not $.

    I spy with my little eye some mobile devices; this intrigues me.

  • Noformation

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 1:01 am PT

    @ parrot_of_adun
    typo, should be ¥ not $.

    I spy with my little eye some mobile devices; this intrigues me.

  • parrot_of_adun

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 12:37 am PT

    "Hirai said the company now expects to sell $50 billion ($562.6 million) worth of goods"

    ...wait, what?

    50 billion dollars =/= 562.6 million dollars.

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