Sony rethinks SA strategy amid huge loss

[3WA]

In short, Sony incompetence saved Apple.

Sony incompetence gave us the modern smartphone and tablet?

 

[Jola]

Sony incompetence gave us the modern smartphone and tablet?

Apple would have been bankrupt before developing those if Sony did not create a gap in the market for the iPod.

And Apple did not invent either of those products.

 

[Chevron]

I haven't had a problem with quality, mainly with pricing and standards, eg using their own memory cards, etc.

As far as I am concerned Sony dug their own grave with poor management and their investment in the movie/music business, which created conflicts of interest.

For example, their conflict with the music industry stopped them from providing MP3 features for their Mini disc music players thereby creating the gap for Apple iPod music players.

At the time Apple was a failing computer manufacturer, and this gap in the market saved them.

In short, Sony incompetence saved Apple.

Their movie/music business is what's keeping them afloat now.

 

[Jola]

Their movie/music business is what's keeping them afloat now.

That may be, but I believe that they would have been better off without those.

Without the conflict of interest they would have been forced to make better decisions.

However, their management structure has always been poor.

Apple had the benefit of a benevolent dictator, which significantly aided strategic decision making.

 

[MagicDude4Eva]

... computer components, cameras, software, cellular devices, cargo ships, ocean-going drilling equipment, etc ... Samsung does almost everything. And they are considered one of the best LCD/LED/AMOLED manufacturers in the world. LG is a lot smaller, but still as far as I can see a decent manufacturer.

True, I always have to remind myself that Samsung provides components to some big players (I think the Ax-chip in the iPhones is still manufactured by them). If Sony continues downscaling, very soon they will be like Nintendo and just focus on gaming.

 

[Space_Chief]

For example, their conflict with the music industry stopped them from providing MP3 features for their Mini disc music players thereby creating the gap for Apple iPod music players.

Minidisc was very popular in Japan though. I remember Japanese friends still used MD players while I used an iPod already.

Part of Sony, like all Japanese corps focus on the domestic market.

 

[Space_Chief]

Their movie/music business is what's keeping them afloat now.

Their pro camera business is probably also doing OK.

 

[zippy]

Sony makes / made good stuff, but their non-adherence to industry standards and pricing was a problem.

There stuff is so good people don't buy it. Lol. It's not only the price. Or standards. Apple make expensive products which is difficult and in some cases impossible to interface with other equipment. Does the term "Apple ecosystem" sound familiar ?
Yet people still buy Apple products.

Sony stopped being innovative years ago. And it's not only about specs. It's a balance between specs, functionality, price and style. Sony make average products which look ordinary.
Apple and Samsung sell products because they get a better mix between specs, price, functionality and style.

Sony thought there brand could carry them. That only works for a while.

 

[Jola]

Minidisc was very popular in Japan though. I remember Japanese friends still used MD players while I used an iPod already.

Part of Sony, like all Japanese corps focus on the domestic market.

I still have a mini disc player around here, the only reason that I don't use it is because it can't play MP3's.

Of course, the discs are a bit small for today.

 

[Space_Chief]

There stuff is so good people don't buy it. Lol. It's not only the price. Or standards. Apple make expensive products which is difficult and in some cases impossible to interface with other equipment. Does the term "Apple ecosystem" sound familiar ?
Yet people still buy Apple products.

Sony stopped being innovative years ago. And it's not only about specs. It's a balance between specs, functionality, price and style. Sony make average products which look ordinary.
Apple and Samsung sell products because they get a better mix between specs, price, functionality and style.

Sony thought there brand could carry them. That only works for a while.

True to that. Anyone remember Sony Qualia?

One thing Sony could have done was leverage their Japanese heritage to offer a line of "Made in Japan" products of quality Apple and Samsung would not be able to achieve, at least now. Panasonic does that with their laptops. Made in house, in Japan, but reliable and more expensive than Apple or Sony products. However that won't make them a lot of money. It would still appeal to local domestic users and those of us who may want a superior product, engineered and assembled to the highest standards possible.

Their prosumer stuff is still excellent though. That's "Made in Japan" and offers high reliability. Outside of Pany, Sony, Canon, JVC, nobody else knows how to make good professional video cameras.

 

[kianm]

Their gaming side of things should not die