Yahoo! News - Sony Shifts Strategy to Support MP3 Files

Yahoo! News - Sony Shifts Strategy to Support MP3 Files

SAN JOSE, Calif. - In a major strategic reversal, Sony Corp said Wednesday it plans to add support for MP3 music files to some of its portable music players.
The shift to support the widely used MP3 music format would end Sony's long-standing insistence on its proprietary format, called Atrac. It also better positions the electronics giant against rivals such as Apple Computer Inc., whose portable players support both MP3s and other file formats.

Ahhh...now for the lighter side. Sony has been cracking me up since the mini disc. Their insistence on proprietary formats just boggles me (it never really works out for them particularly well.)

I keep imagining the marketing guys going to the Ceo of Sony every year and telling him about the dismal mini disc sales in the U.S. Please insert horrible Japanese accent here...

Marketing flunky: "Ahhh CEO-san, dee mini disc sales in America no do so good."

CEO: " Mini disc GOOD idea! You try again! First mini disc, den memory stick , den we take music. Make stupid Americans use Atrac. Soon Americans use onrey Sony! Den WORLD DOMINATION!!! MUHAHAHA! You marketing flunky have disgrace Sony. You go kill self now!"

Marketing Flunky: Hai!

Well, I think that cements my position in the afterlife. Sigh, just as well I suppose. I never was comfortable with heights anyway.