Sony to Launch iTunes-Like Online Store? [Sony Online Service to Sell Music, Movies & Books]

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Better late than never right? That’s how the saying goes and it looks like Sony clearly qualifies for that. The company has realized that Apple’s iTunes idea is a goldmine and therefore it’s preparing to launch its own iTunes version which will sell music, movie and books to its customers. Mobile applications could also be included in the future Sony Online Service but let’s not get ahead of ourselves!

The Sony Online Service has already been announced as a general principle but Sony’s execs have not specified when the new store will actually become available. Such a store filled with content might be the answer Sony is looking for to survive the economy and see profits rise again. Content can be a powerful element when deciding whether to buy or not to buy a certain gadget. And how could one ignore a Sony TV, a PS3, a connected camera or any other portable gadget sold by the company knowing that the device itself is a portal to a virtual store filled with movies, music and other content?

Sony has been going through some rough financial times and, like everyone else, it’s struggling through the recession. Apple on the other hand has had record sales and this quarter looks promising too. Sure Apple can’t blame its success on iTunes or the App Store alone although these features are very appreciated by its customers.

The Sony Online Service will be based on the PlayStation Network that’s already available. The PSN has some 33 million registered users which are buying games, TV shows and movies straight from their living rooms. That’s a good start but Sony will have to do better than that in order to be able to create a powerful iTunes alternative. Sony will probably try to offer us a unique experience when it comes to purchasing content online although beating Apple at their own game is not going to be that easy.

What’s your opinion on the matter? Are you ready for one more app store in your life or are you rather fed up with such initiatives? Will Sony’s Online Service be able to bring more customers to Sony stores? We will tell you more as soon as the new service becomes available to the masses.

While we’re waiting for the store to become official we’re going to recommend a name change. SOS doesn’t stand for Sony Online Service, does it? It’s rather sad and I’m surprised nobody from Sony noticed the weird word association. Or maybe they did and the Sony Online Service is really an SOS call…