Sony planning new mobile devices; aiming to outflank Apple

According to a recent report by Wall Street Journal, Sony is planning to launch a number of devices to challenge technology giant Apple’s products like iPhone and the upcoming iPad.

That’s not all; the Minato, Tokyo-based company is also hoping to unveil its own online application store later this month to compete with iTunes.

Along the lines of Apple’s application store, Sony’s online service will include music and video content. In addition to this, the store will also offer applications for PlayStation games.

About the upcoming mobile devices
Sony is reportedly working on a smartphone that will be capable of downloading and playing games made for PlayStation Portable (PSP). The device is expected to be launched later this year.

Further, the company is also working on a project to build a device that will "blurs distinctions among a netbook, an e-reader and a PSP."

This sounds similar to Apple upcoming iPad slate, which is touted to be a device capable of taking computing experience to a whole new level by facilitating a number of activities like surfing Internet, playing music, videos, and games, reading electronic books etc.

Both the smartphone and the mystery device will work with Sony’s online service.

Will the novel devices prove iPhone/iPad killer?
Sony, which has witnessed dip in revenue, plant shutdowns, and job cuts during recession, is hoping that the upcoming devices and services will help it turn around weak sales.

The gadgets may help company return to profitability, but will the devices prove to be iPhone/ iPad slayer?

As for iPhone, it will be very tough for Sony to challenge the Apple device’s commanding lead in the market.

Coming to the other mysterious device, it has better chances of beating iPad. Many people would undoubtedly prefer one gadget that offers them all the services and facilitates a range of activities.

But in order to maximize it chances of beating iPad, Sony’s upcoming devices will have to ensure that it lives up to users’ expectations.

Learning from its rival’s experience, it should not repeat the mistakes made by Apple. So far, the iPad has been criticized for lacking basic features and weighing heavy on the pockets.

As per the current reports, company’s device is expected to click with the users. As this reader named neoamaru commented on mashable.com that Sony’s iPad replica device “looks cool...Business wise if Sony comes up with a better marketing strategy & cheaper costs, we could say that Sony can have the competitive advantage .Sure they can't outshine but if they can then i guess Apple should start to Worry...”