Zune Thoughts: Sony Hints at iPod/Zune-like Strategy

"Next holiday season could see a new approach from Sony in the MP3 player space -- one that could resemble Apple's iTunes/iPod combo or Microsoft's similarly-unified Zune approach. Glasgow said that Sony "still ha[s]n't come back to the [digital audio] market hard," but that "we [CE manufacturers] all want to use this approach," and also "you'll find us doing something in that direction" in the future. Glasgow also had some choice words for DRM that indicate a break from Sony's previous stance. He said, "DRMs are going to become less important" as time goes on, although he also called implementing multiple DRM schemes on the same device "a nightmare." Although he said it was too early for him to reveal details about a Sony device/store play along the lines of the iPod or the Zune, he hinted that Sony is considering releasing something similar."

Wait a second here. DRM will become less important in the future? This came from Sony? I'm shocked and that's no sarcasm. As for a Sony-branded music marketplace? If it only works with Sony products, it'll be about a year too late. They had their chance with Sony Connect and it stank. I can't imagine that Sony will have anything new to bring to the field this time next year. They'll have to compete not only with ITMS, but with the Zune Marketplace as well...