Sony's Stringer discusses PSN's 'open' expansion beyond PS3

The PlayStation Network has come a long way since its inception back in late 2006. At first, it wasn't a major focal point for Sony in pushing the PS3 forward, but since then things have changed immensely. "We developed brand new, absolutely incredible technology for the PlayStation 3, but the cost was high. We've adopted a slightly different approach now, and are evolving the PS3 into a platform for web services," said Sony Corp. head honcho Sir Howard Stringer, speaking in an interview with Nikkei Electronics Asia.

Indeed, services such as the social network app PlayStation Home and the expansion of VOD content on the PlayStation Store reflects Sony's new strategy. "Sony has begun the transition from a closed system to an open one," stated Stringer. "Next we will be expanding the PlayStation Network to hardware other than the PS3, because the number of PS3 units sold puts a limit on the scale of the network possible." Of course, he refers to the PSP (which already features PSN connectivity) and -- most likely -- the rumored PSP2 as well (which looks to be solely dependent on PSN); however, does he also mean to say devices outside gaming could get the PSN treatment? Say, like, um, phones?

[Via Edge Online]

Reader Comments (61)

Sony does little for the phone company, they already said that a PSP might happen, but Ericsson already said that Sony should buy their half in SE and own it completely. The thing with Sony, when they talk about something like this is it tries to add everything to their tvs. Expect some game integrations an hd streaming in Bravias in a couple years.

Open means something more along the lines of the iphone store -- where people can create their own items for download -- such as a Boxee app for the PS3 or the like.

I don't see Sony opening up their platforms enough for this. Just "opening" PSN to other Sony devices is not really open.

i remember the psx, the dvr/ps2 not the ps1, i was saving up for that before it got shutdown before it's american release. i'd like to see the xmb and psn integrated in other devices.

XMB is in other devices....I wanted one of those PSX's too man....now I just have to HOPE that the PVR program they have in Europe gets released here...I think PlayTV would be good to have in the US. Something tells me they were just waiting on the Digital Switch over tho so maybe it will get announced at E3 this year for a US release

I like that Sony says they're transitioning to 'open' systems, however in practice I don't see them embracing open technologies for everything. Sony is still very much a company that likes to maintain control. PSN itself is a closed system. So to say that you're open on your closed system is a bit of misnomer. But then again, maybe there's something else at play here. Maybe there's a day that Sony is envisioning where you can access to the PSN from any device (including non-Sony brands). Perhaps they're repositioning themselves as a services and media rather than hardware company.

ummmm......Isnt XBox Live a Closed System???

He didn't mention XBL ... anyway ... The true open PSN account would be free floating completely interoperable on a myriad of devices and platforms. Even iTunes doesn't let you re-download your purchases without making a request and even then it's once in the accounts history.

Sony's forte has never been software but this does sound like they want to build an actual software platform to work across devices. This is more of a CES announcement but the groundwork for this platform has been built on the back of the Playstation 3. It does have potential for growth but it has to be all inclusive like the iTunes store (movies, music, apps, games, books, etc etc) all tied to one singular account. They also need support from content providers to make it efficient. Go to the iTunes video store the to the history channel and you will see roughly 36 different shows (in and out of television production) and then go the the PSN video store to the history channel and they have maybe 4 shows. The big key is ease of use, interoperability and content. They could be a major player in the digital distribution field but they need to get it right from the start and give an incentive to use their service over a different service people have already been using. Give me an incentive to migrate.

For example, we have an e-book reader and there is a specific Sony e-book store that has to be installed locally, and can only have one account per computer. The problem is we use Mac computers and it's a PC only software! The e-book prices are often times more expensive than purchasing the hard cover book and some of the prices are absurd for rare book titles (example would be the book is $500 on the second hand market and $165 on the e-book store!) it makes it impossible to purchase content. It's not streamlined or easy to add funds and make purchases.

Combine that e-book service under the PSN ID tag and let me make purchases from the e-book store front on my ps3 then add the files directly to the reader from the games console or computer.

They have some challenges to doing it right and to be honest I think they need to use a 3rd party company like Google to help relieve the burden.

The pic looks like it can be a scene in Heroes.. no?

one of these execs is not like the others...

Why do I see four Japanese attacking a white guy's nob?

"CRITICAL HIT - Roll 4D6 to determine damage done to the readership's intelligence and reasoning ability."

I lol'd hard!!

I hope Sony can pull this off. I'd love to see the PSN Store go into music too. Why exactly doesn't Sony's record lable work with the PS Store? Thats absurd for them not too. I wish I could buy a song and download it directly to the PS3's HDD. Sony has a HUGE potential right in front of them. I sincerly hope they can see this and make the PS Store & PSN into something remarkable.

Sony's Stringer discusses PSN's 'open' expansion beyond PS3

Reader Comments (61)

Posted: May 11th 2009 5:48PM Ridgecity said

Posted: May 11th 2009 5:49PM (Unverified) said

Posted: May 11th 2009 7:00PM jhowlett said

Posted: May 11th 2009 7:28PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: May 11th 2009 7:14PM Starcade said

Posted: May 11th 2009 7:24PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: May 11th 2009 11:19PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: May 11th 2009 8:45PM (Unverified) said

Posted: May 12th 2009 12:43AM acme64 said

Posted: May 12th 2009 3:00AM (Unverified) said

Posted: May 12th 2009 2:25PM (Unverified) said

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