Sony 2007 Annual Report Download - page 17

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14
Sony United
Develop distinctive devices—and be the
first to commercialize them—through
“Sony United”
Chubachi Can you tell us what sort of “Sony United”
benefits we can expect from your group, Mr. Nakagawa—
including, of course, efforts involving Mr. Ihara’s group?
Nakagawa We believe that our mission is to work with
Mr. Ihara’s group to develop devices that contribute to the
greater differentiation of products. Specifically, we will offer
devices that enhance product appeal, such as image
sensors for digital cameras and video cameras, in an effort
to promote vertical integration.
Ihara To date, our ability to incorporate devices developed
in-house into products and promptly bring those products
to market has been the reason Sony has triumphed over
its competitors. We look forward to Mr. Nakagawa’s group
providing us with devices that feature finely-honed
performance and technological features.
Chubachi Expectations are high to link businesses across
our business portfolio, including games, movies, music and
joint ventures. I’m interested to know what kind of plans
and concepts the two of you have in place. Mr. Ihara, based
on your experience at Sony Ericsson Mobile
Communications AB (Sony Ericsson), what do you feel is
the key to making joint endeavors among related Sony
businesses work?
Ihara I think it would have to be the ability to maximize
the strengths of the respective brands involved to offer
new ideas for entertainment. Collaboration with Sony
Ericsson is a good example of the “Sony United”
initiative at work. It has already resulted in Walkman®
and Cyber-shot mobile phones, and plans are in place
to launch a BRAVIA mobile phone in the future.
As another example, in collaboration with the Pictures
business we developed “Cinema Mode” for BRAVIA LCD
televisions, suitable for movie viewing, and are actively
conducting joint promotions for movies and electronics
products.
Going forward, we will reinforce efforts to link with other
parts of the group to make movies, music and other
content available via BRAVIA’s IP television function.
Chubachi Mr. Nakagawa, you have also played a key role
in realizing market penetration for mobile phones and the
PlayStation® platforms from the perspective of components.
How do you see your business evolving from here?
Nakagawa We are responsible for supplying key devices
used in the PlayStation® platforms, including the
semiconductors as well as the blue-violet laser used in the
Blu-ray Disc drive and, as such, we share the same destiny.
Going forward, we will continue to supply top-quality
semiconductors, power sources, batteries and other devices
with the aim of making the maximum possible contribution.
We also plan to strengthen our large-scale integration (LSI)
circuits for use in televisions and mobile phones.
Chubachi In the area of business-to-business solutions,
to date we have focused primarily on professional-use
products, particularly for customers in the broadcasting
industry. I would like to build this into another key pillar of
the electronics business. In particular, I want to expand
this business by concentrating on certain fields, including
security, commercial displays, medicine, and sports-related
products and services. Cutting-edge device technologies
will be essential to this. I also think that by first applying
these technologies in professional-use products, and then
taking steps to reduce costs, we will also be able to use
them in consumer electronics products. Accordingly, I also