Sony 2003 Annual Report Download - page 46

Sony Corporation Annual Report 200344
SERVICES/APPLICATIONS
Internet Applications
Sony is providing both hardware and Internet-based applications to cater to a broad range of
consumer needs in the broadband age.
Illustrating this posture is ImageStation, an online imaging service. This service enables users to
upload to the Internet photos taken on digital still cameras, order prints over the Internet, and create
a photo album online so that friends and family can view it. When using a network-enabled CLIÉ
personal digital assistant or Handycam video camera, photos can be sent to the ImageStation site over
mobile phones and other devices from the place w here they are taken.
During the year under review, Sony and three other Japanese audio product manufacturers agreed
to jointly establish Any Music Planning, Inc., laying the groundwork for the Any Music service that,
from the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004, will send music over the Internet directly to audio
components and similar devices. Any Music will allow individuals to sample, purchase and enjoy with
ease high quality music from any compatible home audio component. And it will enable them to
transfer dow nloaded music to portable devices such as a Net M D device or any product that has a
Memory Stick slot.
As for the identification numbers that consumers need to use certain Sony products and services,
Sony has begun to move away from the system in which every entity in the Sony Group has its ow n ID
to a common, M y Sony ID, across the Group. Unification of this customer authentication system
maximizes convenience while protecting customers’ personal information. It also forms the foundation
for development of a business model that links all the products and services across the Sony Group.
For more information, see the My Sony home page at https://ww w.my.sony.com/
Internet Applications
Sony Corporation Annual Report 200344