Sony tem uma probabilidade de falência de 78.49% a 2 anos

[Jorge-Vieira]

Deviam era vender a divisão, que só dá prejuízos brutais

Com o que têm vindo a fazer mais vale, é que exisstem coisas que não se compreendem.

[Filipe]

O problema da Sony é que se encostou demasiado tempo à sombra da marca como se isso bastasse. Com os mercados tecnológicos a serem cada vez mais competitivos, uma marca por maior que seja, não se pode de dar ao luxo de parar na inovação.

[Winjer]

Sony is ditching homegrown music service, teaming with Spotify on PlayStation Music

Sony has announced intentions to close its homegrown Music Unlimited service. The company isn’t getting out of the streaming music business, however, as it plans to launch a new service in its place known as PlayStation Music.The new effort will be backed by Spotify and its catalog of more than 30 million songs and 1.5 billion playlists. Those on the PlayStation 4 will be able to listen to music while playing games, we’re told. What’s more, gamers will have access to existing playlists from current users as well as those curated by Spotify and use the service on all Spotify supported devices.
As per the agreement, PlayStation Network users will be able to link their IDs with Spotify and even use their PSN billing information to pay for a premium Spotify account.

PlayStation Music is expected to arrive sometime this spring in 41 markets around the globe. Initially, the service will be available on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 as well as Xperia smartphones and tablets.
Music Unlimited, meanwhile, will be shutting down in all 19 countries on March 29, 2015. Those with active subscriptions as of February 28 will receive up to 30 days of free access through March 29.
Whether or not this is a PlayStation exclusive remains to be seen. As you know, Microsoft operates its own music service, Xbox Music. As of writing, we haven’t heard anything that would suggest Microsoft also wants in on the Spotify action.

[Jorge-Vieira]

Sony Online Entertainment Sold, Renamed

Now here's a bit of shocking news for PC gamers: Sony has sold off its Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) division to investment management firm Columbus Nova for an undisclosed amount. The developer, best known for its MMOGs such as EverQuest and PlanetSide, will now be called Daybreak Game Company LLC.
"We are excited to join Columbus Nova's impressive roster of companies. They have a proven track record in similar and related industries and we are eager to move forward to see how we can push the boundaries of online gaming," said John Smedley, President, Daybreak Game Company.
With Sony prime out of the picture, Daybreak can now stand on its own two feet as an independent developer and focus on making great games for the PC as well as additional platforms such as the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and mobile. The studio can also focus on getting EverQuest Next out the door, which is scheduled to launch "in the near future."
On Monday, the studio revealed on the H1Z1 website that even though Columbus Nova now holds the reins to Daybreak, it will be "business as usual," meaning that all projects currently in development will continue. Further, Daybreak said that because of the acquisition, the studio now has more resources to utilize.
"It also means new exciting developments for our existing IP and games as we can now fully embrace the multi-platform world we are living in," the studio revealed in a Reddit post.
Daybreak Game Company launched as Sony Interactive Studios America in 1995, and then re-branded itself as Sony Online Entertainment in 1998. The studio made a name for itself when it launched the original EverQuest MMORPG back in 1999. Since then, the studio has focused on the MMORPG genre it helped create, offering games like Star Wars Galaxies, Free Realms, PlanetSide, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, H1Z1 and more.
"Our games and players are the heart and soul of our organization, and we are committed to maintaining our portfolio of online games and pushing the limits of where we can take online gaming together," the Daybreak team said.
Was this a good move? Breaking away from Sony to become a standalone studio? As the team indicated, Daybreak will have more resources now that it has teamed up with investment firm Columbus Nova. But we now have to question what kind of input Columbus Nova will have. Will the games continue to be developed as planned, or will the investment firm have a say in how these titles will be baked in the developmental oven?
Thanks to the acquisition, Daybreak will join a number of other companies in the Columbus Nova portfolio including the Rhapsody music service, TomFoolery Incorporated, chat service Rabbit, NoSQL database Aerospike, the Kaazing WebSocket Gateway and more.

Noticia:
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/gam...eak,28491.html

[Winjer]

Os tempos estão difíceis para a Sony....

Que faça como a Sega e comece a focar-se no mercado PC.

[Jorge-Vieira]

Sony Shutting Down Factory Working On PlayStation Chips – Increasing Production of CMOS Sensors

We can’t say what Sony is up to nowadays, but the video games giant is surely making some big changes to its assets. It seems like after selling off the veteran MMO video game development studio known as Sony Computer Entertainment to Columbus Nova for an undisclosed sum of money, Sony is gradually shifting all of its focus to the PlayStation 4, leaving the seventh generation PlayStation 3 console behind. The company recently announced that it is going to discontinue all operations at the factory that is known for the production of the packaging of the RSX chips for the PlayStation 3.

Factory Involved in the Production of Packaging of Chips for PlayStation 3 Console Being Shutdown by Sony

Ending relationship with one of its oldest video game development studios, Sony recently sold off Sony Online Entertainment, a video game development studio responsible for MMOs like H1Z1 and PlanetSide 2, to a massive New York-based investment management firm known as Columbus Nova, and now, the company has announced via a press release that it will be shutting down any and all operations at the Japanese Sony Semiconductor Oita Technology Center, A.K.A Oita TEC, based in Kunisaki, Oita Prefecture.

Noticia completa:
http://wccftech.com/sony-shutting-fa...#ixzz3Qo9zCqgG

[Winjer]

Provavelmente já têm chips da PS3 em stock que bastam para o resto da vida da PS3.
No caso da PS4 os chips são feitos na TSMC, por isso a Sony não precisa de manter linhas de produção.

[Jorge-Vieira]

Daybreak Game Company annouces layoffs

Daybreak Game Company, the once-and-former Sony Online Entertainment, has confirmed that it is laying staff off following its acquisition by investment firm Columbus Nova.

Founded in 1998 from Sony Interactive Studios America when its parent company merged Sony Online Ventures and Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Online Entertainment has been responsible for some of the company's best-loved output from massively multiplayer online franchise EverQuest - dubbed EverCrack by its addicted players - through to the more recent and divisive zombie-themed survival title H1Z1. Early this month, Sony confirmed it had sold the company to Columbus Nova which immediately rebranded it as the Daybreak Game Company and pledged to continue development of the studio's planned titles.

Development may well be continuing, but it will be doing so without a chunk of staff. 'To better position our newly independent studio for future growth opportunities and to deliver on our legacy of making top online games, we have had to make some tough choices including realignment of resources,' the freshly-rebranded company explained in a euphemism-heavy statement late yesterday. 'Unfortunately, this realignment means adjusting staffing as well. We announced today that we will eliminate positions in our San Diego and Austin studios. Many of us are saying goodbye to close friends and colleagues who we’ve worked with over the years, and we are grateful for the memories and all that they’ve contributed. They will be greatly missed, and we wish them nothing but the best for the future.'

The company has denied that the cutbacks will have an effect on the operations of its current games, but the news has already poured oil on the fire of displeasure over H1Z1's use of microtransactions to give players willing to cough up real-world cash seemingly unfair advantages over the more frugal gamer. Users of Reddit have begun comparing the company's actions to a pump and dump scam, claiming that the investment firm has planned to 'fire part of the [H1Z1] team and suck all the profit they can out of this game before abandoning it.'

Noticia:
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/...nces-layoffs/1

[Jorge-Vieira]

H1Z1 developer, previously known as SOE, announces layoffs

It was only a couple of weeks ago that investment firm Columbus Nova purchased Sony Online Entertainment, which renamed to Daybreak Game Company, but now we're seeing layoffs from within the company.

image: http://imagescdn.tweaktown.com/news/...es-layoffs.jpg

Development of games will still happen for Daybreak Game Company, including the ongoing work for H1Z1, with the company explaining: "To better position our newly independent studio for future growth opportunities and to deliver on our legacy of making top online games, we have had to make some tough choices including realignment of resources".

Daybreak Game Company continued: "Unfortunately, this realignment means adjusting staffing as well. We announced today that we will eliminate positions in our San Diego and Austin studios. Many of us are saying goodbye to close friends and colleagues who we've worked with over the years, and we are grateful for the memories and all that they've contributed. They will be greatly missed, and we wish them nothing but the best for the future". The developer says that the layoffs will not have an effect on its current development operations.

Noticia:
http://www.tweaktown.com/news/43527/...ffs/index.html

[Jorge-Vieira]

Sony will spin off its audio and video units in attempt to streamline its business even further

Sony has been slowly making some major changes over the last year or so. After moving its TV business, followed by selling off the Vaio computer side of things, the company is now announcing more key changes to its core businesses.
In its continued attempt to streamline its offerings after close to 10 years of losses, CEO Kazuo Hirai has announced that Sony will be moving its audio and video business into its own subsidiary. The CEO also went on to say that the company may have to consider selling more than just its Vaio business in order to focus on more profitable avenues for the company like gaming and its involvement with sensors for Apple. The company is, as of now, considering selling off its smartphone and TV businesses all together, according to Hirai.
While its clear Sony wants to focus on its poplar PlayStation gaming unit and the image sensor business, which is heavily involved in the creation of components that help Apple’s iPhone run, its media offerings are next in line. Even after being asked by investors two years ago to roll over its entertainment business, Hirai has placed it third in line moving forward.
As you likely imagined, the Sony CEO finished off with some overly-optimistic projections including a jump to nearly 500 billion yen in profit by the time 2018 is up. But that number is quite a stretch from the 20 billion the company is planning on hitting as of March of this year.

Noticia:
http://www.techspot.com/news/59790-s...deo-units.html

[Jorge-Vieira]

Sony could exit smartphone and TV sectors to boost profits

Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai has announced that the company aims to boost its operating profit by 250 per cent between now and 2018. The key strategic focus of its growth plans will be concentrating upon its entertainment, PlayStation and camera sensors businesses.
Despite the sales of its Xperia smartphones picking up in the last quarter, increasing from 10.8 million to 11.9 million in the quarter to 31 December 2014 year-on-year, the Japanese firm is still expecting to lose money on a net basis for the sixth time in seven years. This is the main reason behind the electronics giant's decision to no longer pursue sales growth in the cut-throat smartphone and TV sectors, where it has suffered competition from cheaper Asian rivals and industry leaders including Apple and Samsung.

"The strategy starting from the next business year will be about generating profit and investing for growth," said CEO Kazuo Hirai, according to Reuters. He added that the firm would not "rule out considering an exit strategy" for its smartphone and TV units, confirming the possibility of selling or finding partners in these struggling sectors.

Favouring more profitable and secure markets, Sony will focus its spending on its profitable camera sensors, videogames and entertainment businesses and it would allow these units to become more autonomous. Sony aims to reach its goal of posting an operating profit of at least 500 billion yen ($4.2 billion) for 2017/18, a 25-fold increase over its current financial performance of 20 billion yen forecast for the year ending 31 March. To do so, the company has already sold off its personal computer division, and cut thousands of jobs, most recently over 2,100 jobs in its smartphone division, as part of a restructuring plan lead by Hirai.

Sony hasn't yet thrown in the towel concerning smartphones. The firm will be present at the MWC 2015 but whether it will be revealing/launching any Xperia Z4 handsets remains to be seen. GSM Arena sources are pointing to a summer release schedule for the next range of Xperia devices.

Noticia:
http://hexus.net/business/news/gener...boost-profits/

[Winjer]

A Sony anda a fazer de tudo para não se afundar...

[Jorge-Vieira]

Sony to more than double down on its investment into PlayStation

It's kind of an end of an era for Sony, with the Japanese giant falling on its sword in multiple of its failing divisions. We've seen the company sell of its VAIO laptop business, which is now making a comeback, but there's some more news that many will be sad over.

image: http://imagescdn.tweaktown.com/news/...laystation.jpg

Sony wants to make a 25-fold increase in its profits, by concentrating on products that actually make the company money. Considering the company has just recorded its sixth net loss in seven years, many can see why. Sony's stock on the other hand has actually grown by 80% in the last 12 months, as its CEO, Kaz Hirai, has been restructuring the core of Sony's business.

Hirai has been able to do this by focusing on making less products, to ensure they're making the right products, that sell well. This effort of restructuring will continue, but now the company has announced it will be pulling out of more markets. In the end, Sony will be making the PlayStation its near sole purpose, as well as making Sony camera sensors for companies like Apple. The company has thought of pulling out of the TV market with its Bravia brand, as LG and Samsung have been making serious inroads in the TV business over the years.

But alternatively, if Sony is putting all of its eggs into the PlayStation basket, this could be a good thing for the PlayStation. Maybe we'll see multiple consoles released with a proper high-end unit in the PlayStation 5 that is capable of 4K at 60Hz+, and 1440p at 120Hz+ that can be used with the consumer version of its VR headset, Project Morpheus. I'm kind of excited, to be honest.

Noticia:
http://www.tweaktown.com/news/43650/...ion/index.html

[Jorge-Vieira]

Dish chairman says Sony's upcoming Internet TV service, not Sling TV, will be the real game-changer

Sling TV has been hailed as a disruptor in the pay-TV industry but according to Dish Network chairman and inbound CEO Charlie Ergen, that title is best reserved for an upcoming over-the-top service from Sony.
During a recent investor call to discuss the company’s Q4 / 2014 earnings, Ergen said Sony’s product will really be a replacement for pay television. He apparently came to this conclusion due to the fact that Sony will be a newcomer in the industry whereas Dish is a well-established player.
The executive added that Sling TV is more related to their wireless strategy; specifically, to distribute video on a mobile and wireless basis because that’s how the next generation is going to watch television.

Providing a bit more insight, Ergen said Sling CEO Roger Lynch first started talking to content providers about such a service five years ago. As you can imagine, nobody was interested… that is, until Disney’s landmark deal with Dish last year.
Lynch said that now, however, there are more programmers concerned about not being on the platform than there are those who are worried about participating.
Late last year, Sony secured a content deal with Viacom to carry roughly 20 of its channels over the Internet including BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nicktoons, Spike, TV Land, VH1, BET Gospel, Centric, Logo, CMT Pure Country, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, mtvU, Palladia, TeenNick, Vh1 Classic and Vh1 Soul – all in HD.
No word yet on when Sony plans to launch its service.

Noticia:
http://www.techspot.com/news/59867-d...rvice-not.html

[Jorge-Vieira]

Sony: We will not sell smartphone division

Just several weeks after chief executive of Sony said that the company could sell off its money losing smartphone business unit, the head of the division denied such plan. According to him, the handset unit is very important for the company.
“At the beginning of February there was speculation about a sale of Sony Mobile,” said Hiroki Totoki, the head of Sony Mobile, in an interview with Le Figaro, reports Reuters news-agency. “It’s completely untrue.”
Mr. Totoki said that Kazuo Hirai, chief executive officer of Sony, would visit the Mobile World Congress to speak about “the importance of this business for Sony”.

Sony’s handset business is bleeding money, just like similar business units at companies like LG Electronics or Microsoft. In fact, only Apple and Samsung earn profits selling smartphones nowadays.
Sony plans to reorganize its handset business unit, shrink the model lineup and release new devices less often. This should cut-down development costs and allow Sony to develop more innovative models to better address the high-end of the market.

Noticia:
http://www.kitguru.net/laptops/mobil...hone-division/