Yes, that Walkman. The trusty sidekick that kept you sane on the way to school in the '80s and '90s. We watched it evolve -- becoming smaller, slimmer, more functional. Eventually it grew into a CD player, and not long afterward came the MiniDisc version. But much like Frankenstein's creation and countless other well-intended experiments gone awry, Sony's little device has now outgrown its skin and transformed into something not quite as benevolent as its masters had hoped.
Like a Kaiju monster awakened from its long slumber by the folly of a selfish mankind, the once-mighty Walkman has risen from the sea and now stands poised over the city that Sony built, ready to get ... you know, stompy. The peaceful gaming paradise that Sony has constructed over the last two console generations now cowers in the shadow of an ancient beast that threatens to destroy it, and I'm not sure they're even aware of its presence.
You might want to shift your gaze upward and get a look at what's blocking out the sun, Sony. I'll tell you why after the jump.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Or he should be. If you were smart, you might at least invite him out for a beer. Let's think hypothetically for a moment. Suppose there was some truth to all these recent rumors that Apple has been sitting poolside, thinking of dipping its feet into the console market. As far as we gamers are concerned, Sony's biggest competitor and greatest threat is Microsoft, is it not?
Imagine, just for a moment, what might happen if Sony and Apple sat down over brunch together to discuss their common enemy. All sorts of wild ideas come to mind; visions of incredible devices that could change the electronic entertainment industry forever. It's already been rumored that the next generation of PSP will boast a touch screen, and that Sony would like nothing more than to include some sort of cell functionality in order to take down the iPhone. Why?
What if they were the same device? I know it sounds absurd, but humor me. What if the new PSP and the next iPhone were the same product? Where does that leave Microsoft, who doesn't even have a handheld? Or a phone? Wouldn't iPhone gaming, which has already done a remarkable job on its own, benefit even further from involvement by the PlayStation brand? Wouldn't the PSP, which has wasted so much time trying to be a media player, be better off with a little help from the people who make the most successful one out there?
Or to step away from gaming just a bit, both companies also take pride in their products that don't fit in your pocket. Sony's Vaio line, for instance, or their ultra-thin laptops. Apple TV. There are any number of products from both companies that could be combined or borrowed from to create something amazing. Something that would actually make Microsoft think twice. God knows Sony could use a little help in the internet connectivity and online services department, and why not take a few tips from, oh, I don't know ... a computer company that owns one of the biggest and most successful digital distribution services in history?
But that won't happen. Why? Because the iPod banished the Walkman to the depths of the sea. Sony doesn't want to get over this. Instead of taking their lumps and moving on, they keep clawing back with their MP3 players and phones; they try to cram too much functionality into a handheld gaming platform until it does everything but play games.
OS patriotism and cries of "LOLFAG" aside, there are quite a few people out there who use Macintosh computers, whether you like it or not, and whether or not it's got anything to do with games. What if the PS3 could boast some kind of interconnectivity with OSX, something that the Xbox could never do? Gamers love nothing more than to hate on a Mac, but you have to admit, some kind of compatibility there would give Sony something. Because what can they say at the moment? Instead they've become the third wheel, the guy sitting on the bench because he doesn't want to play for either team, but doesn't have enough friends to start one of his own.
For the love of God, let it go. I liked my Walkman too, but it's gone now. Leave it under the sea, it wants to sleep. I realize this all sounds a bit silly, but not quite as silly as throwing away the kind of opportunities and potential that Sony refuses to look into because it's still butthurt about the fucking Walkman.
Not to say that Sony should undoubtedly join forces with Apple, but what if they did? What if? We'll never know, will we? You can't have it all. There comes a point when you have to admit defeat to one of your rivals so that you can join them in taking down the other. Which one makes more sense? I don't know about you, but I sure don't miss my Walkman as much as I'd miss my PlayStation.
Contest:
5:40 PM on 04.07.2009
| 
But great artice, BTW.
Is SnApple taken?;P
Not that Microsoft is a good guy. Everyone in the free market is a villain. Out to scam as much money as they can from everyone on the planet. The sheer greed of perhaps turning a buck from a competitor is enough to ensure that something like this would almost certainly never happen. The Egos of the leaders of these companies would never allow them to be on the short end of any deal; So of course they'll never team up.
There's all the potential in the world for really awsome devices, but a lot of the time business politics are the major roadblock.
Take SED TVs for example. They were all set to be the next big thing in television tech, but Cannon was sued by the patent holder, who was out to bilk the most cash they could from the situation, and now SED is pretty much a dead tech.
Remember the N-Gage? Yea, not a good idea to combine gaming and cellphone.
Also, how would Microsoft be threatened by Sony and Apple teaming up? It's not like Microsoft makes phones or handheld devices.
One thing I do hate about Microsoft is the how they mostly blocked homebrewing and modding for the Xbox 360.
Walkman gets beat by Iphone and is stealing customers away from PSP, so lets combine forces with APPLE to take down Microsoft???
it was just an idea I had this morning that I decided to expound upon because... well, I felt like it. Don't everybody get your panties twisted over it, it's not happening.
One thing though, if this comes to fruition Sony and Apple; please, please, PLEASE DO NOT put a fucking 'i' in front of the product name. I am so sick of that shit it's not funny.
seriously. stop it.
I have nothing against Macs, I own an iPhone if thats any help, but while I could still use a Mac I'm just not that interested, definatly not monatelary interested enough to get one.
Sony would be better served adding a cellphone into their PSP, that working with Apple. I dislike Apple computers, won't buy one, but probably won't buy a PSP unless their battery life goes up to 10+ hours. Long flights with a 2 lb. Sony Paperweight don't interest me. It has a real time battry life of 3 hours or so.
Seriously, Apple will not join forces with Sony. Nor would Sony join forces with Apple. Those two brands love themselves far too much to dilute themselves in any way.
Apple insists on having absolute design power over its devices: How do you think that'll fly over at Sony.
Sony also runs a record company: how do you think that'll fly over at Apple?
Apple's last joint phone venture crashed and burned with the Rok-r. I don't think they've forgotten that already.
The last thing those two stuck up brands need is to stick together. They're both too entrenched to their own monoculture(Sony STyle vs Apple Store) anyways.
And if you think Sony's too constrictive already, wait until Apple's gang of mine-Mine-MINErs get in there.
Interesting indeed. Would be a neat hybrid gaming machiene. Apple makes some decent hardware. My 1st generation Touch has gotten much use, and it's seen some abuse.. but it still kicks. Same with Sony's hardware. My PS2 took a spill onto a hard surface and laughed at it. It would be a solid team.. but real hard to see in real life.
Good read, man.. makes you think.
I mean, they could make a really good system with advance graphics, apps and a lot of shit I could imagine, but maybe it could be seen too far fetched for regular consumers, maybe even Nintendo would pull out another ace on their sleeves using cheap technology once again with the PSP's capabilities, or well, who knows.
And let's not forget Microsoft's inevitable handheld, because its OBVIOUS AS FUCK they will make one, they just don't admit it.
MS hasn't touched that market with a spoon the size of the original Xbox controller. They're not missing anything. There's a shitton of money there but no actual *reason* why MS should risk the capital and start some kind of huge ass project any more than, say, Kenmore should. Most portable gaming efforts fail badly and every attempt to create some kind of console-handheld brand "synergy" gimmick thus far has been a scornful failure. (Not counting the Super Gameboy of course. God, that thing was fucking awlsum.)
What else you got for us?
Sony doesnt need Apple. SOny has great hardware with WalkmanMP3 being competitive againts ipod hipsters. The PS3 could eventually support OPen Office and Skype, and most importantly Sony has its own digital distribution service.
Zuuuuuuuuune!!!
And other than quicktime I really don't like any of apple's programs. itunes (especially the windows version) is one of the worst excuses for a media library. their OS only runs as good as it is because hackers don't care about it yet, and it is only popular at all because Apple is so good at making their products look trendy.
However Sony could profit a lot from Apple's business and marketing strategies... I dunno... I like my ps3's linux OS just fine... Great thing to speculate though, good read.