Sony planning web services offensive

The backbone of Sony's platform will be a new retail service

Sony is planning to launch a new set of web services over the next year aimed at adding online capabilities to its current and future line of consumer devices.

The company said at a special press event in Tokyo that the backbone of the platform will be a new retail service offering content for download and purchase on its television, PC, media player and mobile handset lines.

Executives told reporters that the platform had been designed to extend beyond current online retail services, and will include elements such as social networking integration.

The new service is said to be modelled after the PlayStation Network, Sony's online content download and streaming service for its game console.

Sony hopes that the service will give it an advantage in the appliance and handset market, and improve the company's profile as an online retailer.

Similar online stores, such as Apple's iTunes and App Store services, have proved hugely successful in generating income and boosting sales of hardware on which to access the services.