Sony Mulling Own Video Download Service

By Geoff Duncan Updated June 15, 2018

Sony Mulling Own Video Download Service

Electronics and media giant Sony may have just pulled the plug on its Connect music service (which served up music in Sony’s proprietary ATRAC format), but now company officials in Japan have acknowledged Sony is considering it’s own video download service, going head-to-head with Microsoft’s Xbox Live service (which offers TV shows and movies to Xbox 360 gamers) and, of course, Apple’s iTunes store. "Music and video downloading has been available through networks, and we are looking into the area as a possible business," said Sony spokesman Shigenori Yoshida, according to the Associated Press.

The Wall Street Journal is also weighing in, claiming that Sony plans to launch its own video download service off of its PlayStation 3 and PSP gaming platforms, along with its Internet-enabled line of Bravia flat-panel televisions.

The speculation follows Sony’s introduction of a video-capable Walkman portable media player in the U.S. market last week, competing directly with Apple’s video-capable iPods. Sony has also just unveiled new capabilities for its PS3 gaming console which will enable the device to tune into digital television and function as a digital video recorder; for now, those capabilities are only slated to be released in Europe.

A video download service could be a bold move for Sony, as most industry watchers still feel the video download market is up for grabs and positioned for strong growth. Although Apple’s iTunes video store is off to a strong start, the recent defection of NBC Universal may put a hamper on sales, and while Micrsoft’s Xbox Live video service has garnered praise, its audience is still limited. If Sony could step into the video downloading arena with an accessible, best-of-class service, it could have a shot at dominating the market…which some industry watchers say could top $7 billion in the United States alone by 2010.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Audio / Video

Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are a great buy at over $100 off

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Industry Leading Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones

Let's not bury the lede here: When the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphone came out, they were the best headphones available. They've since been passed only by the new model, the XM5s. Right now these incredible headphones have a sweet discount as part of Prime Day deals. You can grab them for just $248 right now, down a full $101 from their usual price of $350. These were worth it at their most expensive -- they're an even better deal now. Grab them before Prime Day headphone deals are over.

Why you should buy Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones during Prime Day
If you want to read about the all of the cool features that make these headphones incredible, you should dive into our in-depth Sony WH-1000XM4 review. We'll summarize the biggest points here too. After all, you have to decide whether to take advantage of this deal before Prime Day ends. For starters, the build is very comfortable and sturdy. Sony didn't change the design between the XM3 and XM4 (although they did change it for the XM5). It has nice padding, adjustable cups, and a folding design that makes storage easy. The sound quality is excellent. You can expect the best from Sony. Sony added a new system into the XM4s called DSEE Extreme. This is a built-in AI that upscales lossy content like MP3 and AAC. This is great for people who stream a lot of their music on the go and don't always have access to lossless media. The noise-cancelling is top notch. Low-end sounds are all but muted, and mid-range sounds, like conversations in a coffee shop, are significantly reduced. Play some music while noise-cancelling is on and you will be transported to your own world.

Audio / Video

These Sony noise-canceling headphones are under $100 today

Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Headphones on the ground

Finding a good quality set of headphones can be a bit difficult, especially if you don't want to spend a ton of money on the best headphones on the market. With so many great Prime Day deals going on right now, you don't have to and can grab these Sony WH-CH720N for just $98. While that's still a bit pricey, you are getting quality headphones from Sony, and the original price was $150, so it's a substantial $50 discount and well worth grabbing, especially compared to the Sony WH-1000XM4, which is going for nearly triple that at $250.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Headphones
The Sony WH-CH720N is essentially the same as the Sony WH-CH710N headphones, the slightly more updated model with a few improvements here and there. As a mid-range set of headphones, you get slightly different designs than what you'd find in the high-end, such as the circular headphones, which, surprisingly, are very comfortable to wear for long periods. Similarly, the headband padding isn't too bad and doesn't grip too tight, making this a great pair of headphones to wear for a long period. Luckily, the battery life is also pretty great, lasting around 38 hours, and that's with Artificial Intelligence Noise Cancellation (AINC) turned on; if you turn it off, you can get about 50 hours out of it.

Audio / Video

Amazon is having a HUGE sale on Sony headphones for Prime Day

Man listening to Sony headphones in the street.

Even if you're regularly checking our guide on the best Prime Day deals, you're not going to be able to find everything, there are just way too many. It also means if you're looking for something in particular, like some of the best Prime Day headphone deals, you're going to have to sift through a lot of information. But that's where we have you covered. We've collected all of the best deals, across various guides, like this one which explores the best Sony headphone deals -- and for Prime Day 2023, Amazon is offering a ton of Sony-related discounts. Your best way to find what you're looking for is always going to be to browse for yourself, but if you want some quick recommendations, we have those for you below, as well.

Why you should shop the Sony headphones sale during Prime Day today
When it comes to exceptional audio experiences, nobody does it like Sony. But the question you're probably facing right now is, in a head-to-head between Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. XM4, which headphones should you buy? We recommend reading through our guide to find that answer. What we'd rather talk about right now is not which pair to buy, but the fact that almost all pairs of relevant Sony headphones are on sale right now thanks to Prime Day. wireless noise-canceling and overhead headphones are on sale currently for $248, which is $102 off the regular $350 price tag. That's a fantastic deal.