Las Vegas; CES — In a keynote talk before 1,500 attendees of the Consumer Electronics Show, Sony President Kunitake Ando expounded on his company's vision of a “single, seamless platform across AV, PC and mobile devices, with TV at the center,” forming a “ubiquitous value network,” according to a statement released today by Sony.

Ando used the theme “A World About U” to highlight Sony's vision of the comprehensive control that the user will have over customizing entertainment and communications devices, and spoke about Sony's initiatives to create open-standard broadband networks. He also pointed to television “reborn” as the focal point for the delivery, use and interaction with broadband entertainment in the home.

“Our initiative to develop interoperability between PC and AV devices in the home, is a key step to realize the true value of the home network,” Ando said. He also spoke of Sony's participation in a forum of collaborators advocating an advanced Linux-based platform for digital home electronics devices.

“By connecting AV, PC and mobile devices, we will create a huge platform for the creation and enjoyment of rich digital content,” Ando noted further by adding, “Secure content development is at the center of agenda.”

Citing the global increase in broadband adoption, Ando expressed optimism about the accessibility of broadband content, and said that this year will be key to the acceleration of broadband penetration, especially in the U.S.

“We're at the threshold this new age that will have a huge impact, not only on people's lifestyle, but also on all our industries,” Ando said. “The broadband network revolution is enhancing people's lives in completely new ways, putting the user right at the center.”

Ando described the future role of television, a more powerful, more ubiquitous, and more interactive version of what we know today.

“We're literally helping put displays everywhere to offer users the state-of-the-art visual experience,” he said. “In my view, the first 50 years of color television were only the infancy, Ando said, referring to the passive nature of TV as we innovate today.

Ando also spotlighted Sony's new Cocoon products, a Linux-based platform of broadband AV devices, that, when connected to a home network, learn user preferences and create a truly customized entertainment experience.

“Cocoon products are probably the single most important development to make our UVN vision a reality,” he said. “They're the centerpiece of our strategy to build a new open platform that will dramatically change the whole concept of television and people's lifestyle.”

Despite being aided on-stage by movie actress Drew Barrymore (producer and star of “Charlie's Angels Full Throttle”), Ando said the real star in the broadband age will be the user.

 
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