Sony's big opportunity

CES 2012 has come and gone and if there was one thing that really stood out, it was perhaps surprisingly the smart TV and what it means as companies work harder to integrate their sparse hardware offerings. Samsung impressed, but Sony, of all the exhibitors at CES demonstrated the cuts to make this ecosystem thing really happen.

Samsung on the most superficial level was the ecosystem warrior at CES 2012, making a noise about its television sales numbers, which are objectively impressive and their focused strategy consisting of the three verticals - content, service and connectivity. With the reach of Samsung's TV user base, the reach of its enormous smartphone user base and the reach the company obtains by providing not only consumer electronics but home appliances, Samsung, in every possible way appears set to take the ecosystem war against Apple by storm.

By not conforming to the Google TV bandwagon, Samsung are playing their chances on the TV revolution alone. With a thriving developer community, popular smart TV platform and a successful consumer electronics business to leverage, why wouldn't they? Well because Samsung along with most of the industry are wrong about the Smart TV, and only Sony seems to get it.

Let's back up a little. Televisions are simply not like smartphones, and therefore applying the same principles that have made the smartphone a raging success simply won't work. Smartphones and the app approach have been a ground breaking success simply because smart, simple, streamlined apps are what's necessary to achieve anything when on the go. Minimise the number of button presses as possible, make things as simple, quick and engaging as possible and you have a big winner.

Do any of these values apply to television? Sure.

Sure it would preferable to have smart, simple and streamlined television apps, but looking at the broader picture, is apps really what's going to drive the TV revolution forward? To put it bluntly, no. Unlike mobile where things need to be snappy and fast, television is lazy and passive. Television is about content consumption, not content creation or content engagement. Although apps will be a hit gimmick sell, television will always be about consuming content - an area that Samsung simply isn't addressing with nearly enough punch and where Sony is flying high and mighty.

Sony Entertainment Network, a major talking point at Sony's press event may very well be Sony's big break. With significant leverage from the company's Playstation products, and the foundations of Android and Google TV rooted into its latest products, the company has the groundwork to make the content ecosystem its own.

The addition of cross-platform support in Sony Entertainment Network will not only allow the company to deliver highly compelling tablets, smartphones and connected products, but with SEN's unique placement as a single unified source for entertainment, Sony has the potential to turn its entertainment network into a cash cow.

Despite Samsung's breadth and sales, why Samsung isn't poised to take advantage of the TV revolution as well as Sony is, is simply because Samsung is placing too much of their efforts in their own hands. By developing every single facet of its own Smart TV and trying to be the be all, end all approach, the company can't use those same resources towards what really matters - deliver a truly compelling content delivery system.

Sony on the other hand, are taking advantage of Google's already established Google TV platform to gain them instantaneously what Samsung are working so hard to maintain whilst placing their own efforts into delivering an unsurpassed content platform with the deep cross device integration that the Japanese company promises.

Speaking from my own personal vantage, the ecosystem has always been something desirable, yet something I can never really obtain given the fickle nature of my technology desires. I own a Vaio PC, yet also own a Mac. I own a Windows Phone, yet use a Blackberry Playbook for my tablet needs. Hence, I've never had the coveted opportunity to be truly invested in any ecosystem.

iTunes never stuck with me because despite owning a Mac and a PC, my distinct lack of Apple mobile products eliminated much of iTunes' value proposition (besides, I'm more a fan of streaming). I trialled Zune Pass for 14 days when I purchased my Windows Phone, I loved the service but the fact that I couldn't use it on my Blackberry Playbook, TV or Walkman didn't prove it to be a worthy investment. The ability to help people like me is Sony's remarkably big opportunity.

No company has thus far delivered a single unified media distribution platform. If Sony plays their cards right, SEN could end up being just that. With support for all Android phones, upcoming support for iPhone and presumably iPad and of course, built in support with all Playstation products, Sony have formed the underpinnings for this master plan.

Deliver the service onto every platform imaginable (Windows Phone, Blackberry, Blackberry QNX, webOS etc...) and Sony have themselves an impossible to say no to, content 'sub-ecosystem' empire. Pair that with the advantages of owning a content studio (Sony Pictures) and it's hard not to envision a phenomenally compelling service.

While Samsung pays lip service to the success of its Smart TV offerings and integrated ecosystem trajectory, the inability to envision the larger picture may eventually have Samsung scrambling into the open arms of Google TV and have companies like Sony reign supreme in the TV revolution simply with their ability to deliver what it's really all about - content.

How would I change the Xperia Play. Opinions from a hater.

As it is, the Xperia Play is junk, 'playful' junk if you must.
There is no way one could possibly sugarcoat the Xperia Play's imminent demise. The product and concept in itself was looking to face an uphill battle already, however the lackluster end product pretty much sealed the deal. I don't want to appear to quick to judge though, the Xperia Play still could win an audience of gaming enthusiast who have a complete disregard to the Play's limitations, but a brief analysis will conclude that the Play won't make it. Instead of ranting about how much the Xperia Play would fail though, I figured I would channel these thoughts to more construction tasks, like pretending I was Sony Ericsson and the things I would do to make the Xperia Play a more appealing product.

I just thought that I would add that this brief analysis will be based on reviews of the handset that I have read as obviously I have not been able to get my hands on one (and will probably never).

Displays are normally one of Sony/Sony Ericsson's strong areas with experience from the Bravia line and a legacy dating back to the first Trinitrons. However reviews are telling how phenomenally disappointing the display really is for a phone of this caliber. What's more disappointing is how phenomenally awesome the Xperia Arc's screen is in comparison, so now we know it's not a case of not knowing, they simply didn't try.

• First improvement. Better Display. 

The display as far as I'm concerned is actually one of the smaller of the Play's library of issues. People say rather naively that sex sells, but the simple fact of the matter is that the Xperia Play isn't sexy. Oh shiny, shiny, glossy, glossy - I think someone forgot to tell Sony Ericsson that glossy coverings are actually less attractive than the fingerprints all over them. Additionally, making the edges of the design shiny is fine and all, but when you're using materials like plastic to attempt to simulate a high-profile shining metal aesthetic not only does it come out looking cheap, but the futile attempt is embarrassing. The game-pad isn't the most attractive thing in the world and also adds quite a lot of fat to the device, but then again there isn't much that can be done since the game-pad is the only thing that keeps the device a step (forward or backward) from its competitors. Overall my thoughts on the devices aesthetics are simply my opinions, nevertheless I still hate it. Mind you some people, perhaps even yourself will like the design. But I loathe it with the wrath of anthrax and atomic bombs.

• Second improvement. Give it a goddamn face-lift.

Referring back to improvement number 2, I noted that the game-pad added quite a substantial amount of fatness to the product. Being me, I would delightfully trash the game-pad completely, however that would render the existence of the Xperia Play utterly pointless, which in my brutal honesty is actually preferable. However the point of this post was to discuss ways to improve the Xperia Play, not get rid of it, which I have already written about, to no avail. The game-pad is simply too one purpose to remain useful, I'm sure most users would actually get more productivity from having a QWERTY board there instead.  Having said that, it would be extremely useful to replace the game-pad with a touch screen, so essentially the Xperia Play would be a dual touch-screen phone. The slide out display could be used as a QWERTY, game-pad, secondary screen or used for other applications. Possibilities are endless, and the Xperia Play would not just be the gamers phone.

• Third improvement. Replace that ghastly game-pad with a touch-screen, and give the device real potential.

That pretty much sums it up, my brief analysis on how I would almost completely alter the Xperia Play. I may have skimped out on a couple of small things like the quality of the camera and Android skinning, but these things only really matter to geeks and techies. This is not an insult to average consumers, as I am an average consumer myself, but all that really matters to us is usability and design. The intermediates like camera quality and inside specifications aren't huge selling points. There's a limit to how good a smartphone camera can be until it doesn't really matter anymore. Also, in regards to Android skinning most everyday consumers really have not the slightest clue nor care of how good or bad the Sony Ericsson skin is in comparison to the default Google Android theme. On the other hand, I'm sure some of the things that I mentioned don't matter to you or some people either, it's a spherical world. If you agree or disagree with what I have to say I'd love to hear from you, so feel free to comment. At that, catch ya'nother time

Why the Xperia Play is overhyped junk and Qriocity is underhyped gold.

Yes. I said it. I called it junk.

I'm sure that if you've read any of my previous posts, you've noticed I'm definitely not a fan of the Xperia Play. I've received a couple emails from people who keep telling me how awesome the Xperia Play will be and it's the first real gaming phone and what not. But, the real reason for my Xperia Play hatred is that it's a sweet product based on a half baked concept.

As a gaming phone, the Xperia Play is clearly a winner, but it's a middle of the market product that doesn't really appeal to anyone. When thinking of the Xperia Play, one question comes up. Why do you exist?
Sights are deceptive, with all the comments I'm seeing on Sony Ericsson's facebook page and popular tech sites by people who are excited about the Playstation Phone, it is not surprising if Sony Ericsson has been deceived into thinking that the Xperia Play is a good idea (yes, strong words). But really, it is just a product that doesn't need to exist.
With the upcoming Playstation Suite, PS games will be made available to all Android devices which almost immediately renders the Xperia Play useless. Apart from the dedicated gaming controls and I'm going to take a hunch here, superior graphics performance, the Xperia Play offers nothing of value in comparison to other Android handsets available.

Let's do a step by step cancellation of the Xperia Play's potential customers: first off, humans are the only organisms who will buy an Xperia Play, for further clarification this excludes cheetahs, praying mantis's and all varieties of trees.
As a general rule, females and gaming don't normally fit in the same sentence unless it's a Facebook group about a girlfriend who is forced to make sandwiches while her boyfriend plays on his XBOX, so that eliminates approximately half of the human population.
Now down to business, of all males, how many will want to be seen carrying around a phone with gaming controls? Well, certainly not businessmen who want to be taken seriously. Certainly not your everyday person. Let's face it, only gaming enthusiasts will be carrying around dedicated gaming phones, but then again, wouldn't real gaming enthusiasts just opt for the NGP instead which has real analog sticks and PS3 graphics?


So, ultimately, the Xperia Play doesn't really appeal entirely to any section of the market, and Sony Ericsson are hyping it like it matters to everyone. 

On the other hand, Qriocity (VOD and Music Unlimited) is a service that has real potential, and shows us where the world is heading in terms of digital media. Qriocity is where Sony's focus should be, not some half-assed gaming phone that will most likely not see a second generation.
It's become quite evident of recent, that the success of hardware is dependent on the availability of complementing software and vice - versa. I've mentioned this several times, but the reason for Apple's success recently has been due to the almost perfect synergy between their hardware and software offerings, and the immediately availability of software on their devices, whenever, wherever you are.

Qriocity can finally get Sony there, to this heavenly abode that Apple has inhabited for 10 years.

What astounds me however, is the lack of marketing, even subtle promotional efforts of this new service by Sony. It is really quite astonishing and perplexing that the Xperia Play gets to take the limelight on Sony Ericsson's site homepage when the launch of Music Unlimited by Qriocity doesn't even get a spot in one of those measly four tab areas below Sony's site.

What the hell are you doing here? Get out of my life.

If Sony really want to turn Qriocity into the next iTunes, which I hope they are because they really shouldn't be aiming any lower, then two things need to happen:
1. It needs to go mobile, and Sony have already announced plans of an android version so that's sorted (unless they mess it up with some laggy failware).
2. People need to know it exists.

Number 2, is obviously what this whole post is referring to. Stating the obvious, there's no point making something if nobody knows that it even exists. I'm genuinely disappointed and mildly shocked when I ask my friends:

'Hey dude, you hear about the new Qriocity music service? It's like iTunes but you pay 13 bucks and you can eat up all the music you want for 30 days."
And they would respond with a half-hearted nod subtly hiding their ignorance on the subject matter.

But then, I don't blame them at all. Sony have done a shocking job at making Qriocity known. Qriocity hasn't been advertised at all, let alone made an appearance on any of Sony's sites.

Basic point of this post is, Sony and Sony Ericsson need to sort out their priorities. The Xperia Play is a doomed device that is being promoted insanely, which could only end up one way - embarrassment. Qriocity on the other hand, is where I personally see Sony's future is at. Sony's software has never been quite a strong point, however  Qriocity is a great concept, executed rather well, now they've got to let it out there, get it known.

Synergy has been talked about since the early Columbia days, this is their first real crack. Make this the next iTunes, not the next Connect.