Qore no more: Sony ends the interactive magazine

When I got my Sony’s PS3 from Achievers the first thing I noticed was the media friendly feel of the system. Sony locked down pretty much any interesting things you could do with media when they stopped Linux installations. Strike 1. Sony’s Qore interactive magazine was the 2nd thing I noticed. Sure, I was a loyal Xbox 360 fanboy but Major Nelson was not cutting it. Qore had multiple demos, videos and Veronica Belmont. The PlayStation Blog said that this months April 2012′s edition of Qore will be the last issue released. Strike 2. You have one left buddy.

PSN’s Executive Producer Kevin Furuichi said that “As the first interactive digital magazine on a game console. This April, Qore concludes its run on the PlayStation Network. As a send off, the Qore team built one final DLC package: the Qore Ultimate Arcade features a compilation of 11 mini games offered through the series. Our thanks to all involved in the creation and production of Qore and to the many fans who regularly watched each month.”

*Achievers is an award/tech conference for Best Buy’s most profitable employees.

Amazon Fire Phone: Dear Google we can do an Android phone & we can do it better

Google’s Android device makers love Android because it is open source. What they don’t like is that they have to pay Google to use parts of it and that so much of it is locked down. Amazon’s Kindle Fire showed them another way it and they want to release their own.  Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablet runs on Android 2.3, gingerbread but Amazon has done such a great job with modding it; one can barely resembles Android.  Android’s source code is readily available, companies can do what they want with it. The only thing keeping them tied to Google has been, up to now, the desire to be part of the official lineup of Android Play and other Google apps.

However Amazon went their own way with a store and it worked. More and more companies plan to do the same thing. Sony already does something similar with Vita. This trend is great news for fans of the Android platform. This is not a good thing for  Google who will continue to lose what little control they have over it.

It is yet to be seen can Amazon work with major carriers to offer a phone.  There could and most likely will be a conflict of interest since Amazon currently sells phones. What is to stop them from marketing just their own phone and leaving everyone else on the shelf. That said it would be a PR nightmare if they did. I for one I’m looking forward to some competition to the Apple dominance and Android mediocreness.

What does Sony have up it’s sleeve for CES?

Sony Ericsson Facebook has tease up about a “big announcement” for the Consumer Electronics Show. Could it be the Xperia Arc 2, Xperia Ion, Arc HD or the Nozomi?

Sony is said set to launch a new phone on AT&T, code-named the LT28at. Sony Ericsson registered a trademark for the name Xperia Ion.

Sony is definitely building up for something big at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. We have no idea what it is because nothing has been confirmed but we are at CES this next week. We will have to take a look.

Sony to acquire Ericsson’s share of Sony Ericsson

 

Ericsson is  selling its stake in Sony Ericsson to Sony Corporation for billions in cash.  Sony will  integrate Sony Ericsson devices into its  electronics products.  Sony will have access to patents from Ericsson.

Ericsson Press release: Sony to acquire Ericsson’s share of Sony Ericsson

• Sony Ericsson to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony and integrated into Sony’s broad platform of network-connected consumer electronics products
• The transaction also provides Sony with a broad IP cross-licensing agreement and ownership of five essential patent families
• Ericsson to receive EUR 1.05 billion cash payment
• Sony and Ericsson to create wireless connectivity initiative to drive connectivity across multiple platforms

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announced that Sony will acquire Ericsson’s 50 percent stake in Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (“Sony Ericsson”), making the mobile handset business a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony.

The transaction gives Sony an opportunity to rapidly integrate smartphones into its broad array of network-connected consumer electronics devices – including tablets, televisions and personal computers – for the benefit of consumers and the growth of its business. The transaction also provides Sony with a broad intellectual property (IP) cross-licensing agreement covering all products and services of Sony as well as ownership of five essential patent families relating to wireless handset technology.

As part of the transaction, Ericsson will receive a cash consideration of EUR 1.05 billion.

During the past ten years the mobile market has shifted focus from simple mobile phones to rich smartphones that include access to internet services and content. The transaction is a logical strategic step that takes into account the nature of this evolution and its impact on the marketplace.

This means that the synergies for Ericsson in having both a world leading technology and telecoms services portfolio and a handset operation are decreasing. Today Ericsson’s focus is on the global wireless market as a whole; how wireless connectivity can benefit people, business and society beyond just phones. Consistent with that mission, by setting up a wireless connectivity initiative, Ericsson and Sony will work to drive and develop the market’s adoption of connectivity across multiple platforms.

“This acquisition makes sense for Sony and Ericsson, and it will make the difference for consumers, who want to connect with content wherever they are, whenever they want. With a vibrant smartphone business and by gaining access to important strategic IP, notably a broad cross-license agreement, our four-screen strategy is in place. We can more rapidly and more widely offer consumers smartphones, laptops, tablets and televisions that seamlessly connect with one another and open up new worlds of online entertainment. This includes Sony’s own acclaimed network services, like the PlayStation Network and Sony Entertainment Network,” said Sir Howard Stringer, Sony’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. Mr Stringer also noted that the acquisition will afford Sony operational efficiencies in engineering, network development and marketing, among other areas. “We can help people enjoy all our content – from movies to music and games – through our many devices, in a way no one else can.”

“Ten years ago when we formed the joint venture, thereby combining Sony’s consumer products knowledge with Ericsson’s telecommunication technology expertise, it was a perfect match to drive the development of feature phones. Today we take an equally logical step as Sony acquires our stake in Sony Ericsson and makes it a part of its broad range of consumer devices. We will now enhance our focus on enabling connectivity for all devices, using our R&D and industry leading patent portfolio to realize a truly connected world” said Hans Vestberg, President and CEO of Ericsson.

When Sony Ericsson started its operations on October 1, 2001, it combined the unprofitable handset operations from Ericsson and Sony. Following a successful turnaround the company has become a market leader in the development of feature phones by integrating Sony’s strong consumer products knowledge and Ericsson’s telecommunications technology leadership. The WalkmanTM phone and Cyber-shotTM phone are well known examples.

With the successful introduction of the P1 in 2007, Sony Ericsson early on established itself in the smartphone segment. More recently, the company has successfully made the transition from feature phones to Android-based Xperia(TM) smartphones. By the end of the third quarter of 2011, Sony Ericsson held a market share of 11 percent (by value) in the Android phone market, representing 80 percent of the company’s third quarter sales. During its ten years in operation Sony Ericsson has generated approximately EUR 1.5 billion of profit and paid dividends totalling approximately EUR 1.9 billion to its parent companies. Prominent models include “XperiaTM arc” and “XperiaTM mini” which received 2011 EISA Awards, while recent notable additions to the lineup include “XperiaTM PLAY” and “XperiaTM arc S”.

The transaction, which has been approved by appropriate decision-making bodies of both companies, is expected to close in January 2012, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Ericsson has accounted for its 50 percent share in Sony Ericsson according to the equity method. Following completion of the transaction, Ericsson will have no outstanding guarantees relating to Sony Ericsson and will no longer account for Sony Ericsson as an investment on balance sheet. The transaction will result in a positive capital gain for Ericsson which will be defined after closing of the transaction.

SEB Enskilda is acting as Ericsson’s sole financial advisor in the transaction.

Sony Ericsson just the facts

Sales (FY 2010)          EUR 6,294 million

Net income (FY 2010)            EUR 90 million

Number of employees            7,500

(December 2010)

Headquarters  London

R&D sites                    Beijing, Lund, Silicon Valley and Tokyo

Market share               11% in Android (FY2011/3Q)

80 % of sales are smartphones (Android)

Supreme Court overturns California law restricting the sale of video games

The United States Supreme Court voted 7 to 2 to overturn a California law restricting the sale of computer and video games–declaring those games to be protected speech like any other form of creative expression.

Justice Scalia writes:

Video games qualify for First Amendment protection. Like protected books, plays, and movies, they communicate ideas through familiar literary devices and features distinctive to the medium. And “the basic principles of freedom of speech . . . do not vary” with a new and different communication medium.

Sony PSP & PSP Go are gone (The latter won’t be missed); Sony says hello to PlayStation Vita

This is the way the PSP should have been from the start. With one small exception. The Dives is called PlayStation Vita which means “Life” bit it may be a short lifespan for this device. Sony has decided to go with AT&T as the provider for it’s new device. If the same issues that plagued the iPhone follow the Vita. Gamers are not going to stand for that. A drop call can be redialed. Its a bother but never the less you can start the call over again. If you drop out of a multi player FPS game because of t he network there is no do over. That being said, the system is a great update.

The system will have a 5-inch OLED touch screen,  a touch pad on the back,  as well, two cameras, one on the front and one out back. The system will also have the always requested two analog stick setup in front.   The system will be $249 for Wi-Fi and $299 for 3G. There are 80 games in the works for it right now.

It is too soon to know how well this system will do matched up against Nintendo 3DS. High technology has not helped Sony in the home or portable market. As Nintendo ruled the portable marker even though PSP and PSP Go were technologically stronger systems. The same thing happened in the home market. Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox both are in the lead. Let’s hope Sony gets the clue this time. It’s the games that make the system not the tech unless it is used to enhance the games.

Now recognized as art, Games get some Endowment Love By the Feds.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a federal agency supporting artists and art organizations across the U.S., recently expanded eligibility for grant money to media produced for the Internet, interactive/mobile technologies, and digital games.

“We will continue to support television and radio,” explains Alice Myatt, director of media arts at the NEA, “but we are also going to support content developed for the Web, for theatrical release, for mobile phones, content to be distributed via satellite, and even content for game platforms.”

The NEA decided to expand the grant to games due to their ability to reach a large audience. Video games are viable grant candidates because technology allows anyone to experience art at any place and any time. Myatt said the NEA also wants the grant foster new forms of art, regardless of platform, and that by embracing games, the agency will demonstrate how art is evolving.

The NEA is the largest government grantor to art organizations in the U.S., with grants typically ranging from $10,000 to $200,000, based on the scope. Myatt stated that the NEA will judge games on their artistic merit and excellence, but did not identify more specific guidelines. Wonder how Heavy Rain would e looked at? Could a mature game be grated a grant.

Panels made of up experts will judge entries, and only nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c) 3 organizations can apply. Sorry EA and Square. The NEA will have to explain the guidelines on June 15, July 13 and August 10. The deadline for entries is September 1.

Minecraft is going mobile. Now you can take your addiction with you

Minecraft! That should be enough to get your attention. The block-building game is an addiction to many around the world. Now it’s headed to Android devices but not before making a pitt stop on Sony’s Xperia Play. Incase you don’t know; Minecraft is a game that has taken off. While at first just a small beta game. It has now sold well over a million even though it is still not officially released.

The game is also headed to iOS devices later this year. Sony’s Xperia Play version will have an advantage over touch screen only devices because it has a gamepad. We don’t know when the game will come out but one thing that is known is that it will be a hit.

The game will be an exclusive to Sony’s Xperia Play for a little while. That extra time will help to get the device in front of the pack of other mobile phones. It is also some good PR for Sony who could use it right now.  Mojang the developer of Minecraft is holding an event at E3 where more information and hopefully hands on playtime will be taking place. I will be there so I will keep you updated as we get more information during the event.

Apple’s iTunes Cloud service gets closer to being real

Seems that EMI has signed a deal with Apple to license its music.  Everyone is waiting Apple to start it’s cloud-based services. EMI joins Warner Music Group who jumped on the bandwagon last month. It’s only a matter of time before Sony and Universal sign deals with Apple.

When Apple gets all four major music labels to sign on to a cloud-based service its hold over music would be twice what it is now. Amazon and Google started digital lockers but none of them have agreements with the four major music labels.  iOS 5 will have some form of cloud music. People are betting that it will be called iCloud after Apple bought the icloud.com domain from a Swedish company. We can only sit back and wait to see what happens but you can rest assured that Apple will get this right. They take their time and get services as well as products right. I cant wait to see it.

Play Station Network service should now be back up. RLS is still down :(

The Play Station Network is back up!!! You can now get back on still the best Blu-Ray player out there. The game system that has done great things is back up. If you live on the East Coast you should be all set. Other parts of the world are coming up as you read this. That is way ahead of the May 30th day that was given.

Sony has taken great steps to get they system back up and running. They have to be commended for sticking to their word and getting the system up by the date stated. We can rest assured that the network is now more secure than anything ever conceived by the Sony just months before.

Not all of Sony’s Network us up. The Retail Loyalty Site is still down at the moment. It is used to educate retail employees about ironically enough Play Station Network, PS3, PS2, PSP and games. Pretty much anything to do with gaming. Thanks @SonlyRLS for the heads up on the training site.