News.com has an interesting article about Sony and it’s upcoming television plans. Most notably, Sony plans on introducing a new line of television sets at Wal-Mart, Target, and other discount retailers. This new line of LCD TV’s would be designed for a specific set of consumers. Smaller specialty electronics stores would be supplied specific models such that they won’t be competing with stores like Wal-Mart. Essentially, Sony will be segmenting their LCD TV business into different retail channels – making sure different models are available for different types of consumers and their shopping habits.

Here’s a couple of other interesting tidbits from the article:

  • Sony expects 50 inch LCD TV’s to be the next standard size
  • Don’t expect Sony to come out with a hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD player
  • Forget 720p. Sony is almost moving entirely to 1080p now for HDTV’s – makes a lot of sense since the demand is going there. 720p will be mostly found in entry level models
  • Sony will be pushing for more online content being delivered to the television set. Case in point – the $299 Bravia Internet Video Link which is due out later this year. This device will let Sony TV owners get videos and content direct from the web without a PC
  • In the audio space, Sony plans on relaunching the Walkman brand to better compete against products like the iPod. Expect greater interoperability between portable and home audio products with an emphasis on Bluetooth
  • Sony will be moving more and more towards LCD TV’s
  • Expect a new version of the Sony Reader device
  • The Sony Mylo should be getting an upgrade
  • Sony will try out product bundles – selling TV’s and PlayStation 3’s together etc
  • Sony will be coming out with an 11 inch TV based on OLED technology in Japan later this year.
  • Finally, people who purchase Sony equipment tend to be older than those who buy other equipment. 1/3 of sales are to consumers older than 50 years old – pointing to the fact that people familiar with Sony from years past are still buying the company’s products based on familiarity

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: , , ,