Sony to launch MP3 music download gadgets under AIWA brandname
TOKYO : Consumer electronics giant Sony said it will launch a portable audio gadget globally in February under the AIWA brandname to compete in the popular MP3 music-downloading market.
'USB Audio', linked via the USB (universal serial bus) ports on most personal computers, will enable users to download an hour of MP3 music in just 18 seconds, Sony Corp. said in a statement Wednesday.
To protect copyrights, users will not be able to transfer the downloaded music from the portable audio machines.
The new product line-up will comprise audio players using the USB storage media 'Pavit', an ultra-thin and light card-sized HDD (hard disc drive) player and a high-quality PC peripheral speaker.
The Pavit will cost 6,000 yen (57 dollars) to 26,000 yen, the HHD about 35,000 yen and the speaker between 15,000 yen and 33,000 yen.
Sony said it will stage an Internet-based marketing campaign for the new devices, refreshing websites www.aiwa.com (global portal) and www.jp.aiwa.com (Japanese portal) with original video clips, music and games.
"There will be a number of collaborations with up-and-coming musicians and creators," Sony said.
In 2002 Sony made money-losing Aiwa a wholly owned subsidiary, which has survived as one brandname under the wing of Sony.
Sony will sell the new product line-up under the AIWA brandname at lower prices than those for similar but higher-end devices already sold under its own name on formats other than MP3, a Sony official said.
The company will also use its e-commerce site for Japan, SonyStyle, to sell the USB devices starting January 14.
The struggling electronics maker recently said it will launch in April high-capacity MiniDisc products and start a music downloading business, just like the one offered by Apple Computer Inc., in response to the competitive portable digital audio market.
A pioneer in rolling out the world's smallest and lightest electronics gadgets, Sony has suffered declining net profits in recent quarters in the face of tough competition, a rising yen and slumping game hardware sales.
