Sony to enable TVs to play Internet video

Las Vegas, Jan 8: Japan's Sony Corp. said it would enable mostof its new televisions, including high-definition flat screens, to playvideo from the Internet.

Sony, which unveiled the plan at the Consumer Electronics Show inLas Vegas, said the drive to marry Internet and other digital videowith traditional devices was part of a bid to showcase its fourstrategic growth areas: video gaming, digital imaging, high definitionand mobile products.

Starting early this year, Sony will equip its TVs with anattachable module that can stream broadband high-definition and otherInternet video content such as programs from Time Warner Inc.'s AOL andYahoo with the push of a remote control button.

Sony also introduced an icon-based user interface, called XrossMedia Bar, that is similar to a system already found on its PlayStation3 and PlayStation Portable gaming devices.

Several major consumer electronics makers are expected to use thisweek's electronics show to launch products or services that giveconsumers greater control over pictures, music and video originatingfrom multiple sources, such as their own personal libraries or the Web.

At Sony's press conference at CES, the company said it wascommitted to personalization and portability in products that allowconsumers to access a variety of entertainment, communication andinformation without boundaries.

Other news from the event included the introduction of a new VAIOpersonal computer, which Sony says weighs about 1 pound (0.5 kg) andmakes it the smallest-sized, full-functioning notebook computer. Thecompany also said a variety of Ford vehicles sold this year in theUnited States and Europe would feature Sony-branded car stereoequipment.

Reuters>