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Sony To Release Google Glass Competitor

jfruh writes: With Google retooling its Glass offering, Sony appears to have jumped into the breach to offer an Android-compatible wearable face-computer. The developer edition of SmartEyeglass will be available in March for $840, with a commercial release planned for 2016. The device must be manipulated with a separate, wired controller unit that houses a microphone, speakers and an NFC module.

76 comments

  1. Comes with DRM by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    And ads. But you should be able to manage everything by blacking them out by a magic marker. Presto!

    1. Re:Comes with DRM by NotDrWho · · Score: 2

      I hear it installs a rootkit in your eyes.

      --
      SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
    2. Re:Comes with DRM by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 1

      "I know! Let's compete with a non-product, technology PoC that has no proven market, PLUS a high-degree of resistance and hostility by prospective customers!"

      "That's why you're the boss, J.T. and why you make the big dollars."

      --
      "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
      Never been known to fail..."
  2. In Before... by jrmcferren · · Score: 2

    In Before the Jokes about UMD, Betamax, and Minidisc.

    --
    sudo mod me up
    1. Re:In Before... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Lets just forget about BluRay and the Compact Disc....

    2. Re:In Before... by Dusthead+Jr. · · Score: 1

      How about MicroMV, VFD analog floppy disks, and their weird removable hard disk camcorder. Too obscure?

    3. Re: In Before... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Both of those formats are still supported by Sony completely. Personally, I like Minidisc and copy my records to minidiscs (listening to a double LP album on Minidisc right now), but support is nearly non-existent outside of Japan.

    4. Re:In Before... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Meh. I was fooled into buying one of their Vaio flip tops, which looked pretty cool in the store. I've been subject to such delights as

        - The machine's flagship feature, (the flip top) is incredibly fragile; it's already broken twice under what can only be described as light, occasional use
        - Shit video drivers. It crashes on wake up about 1/3 of the time. I used to put up with that from Linux (like ten years ago), but this is on the factory installed hardware/software combos.
        - WiFi that only works when the computer is oriented toward the hotspot. This one is the most baffling to me. The laptop has a half-metal case, but the metal blocks the WiFi signal so it only works if you turn the computer so that the plastic part of the body is facing the hotspot. Even then the reception sucks.

      Simple fact is, the Sony of the 1980's, with its innovative, robust products, is gone. Today all that is left is a shell of that powerhouse making barely functional me-too consumer electronics that it tries (successfully, to my surprise) to market as top-of-the-line.

      I learned my lesson, though. In the future, it's Asus, Mac or nothing.

    5. Re:In Before... by DriveDog · · Score: 1

      If only we had the Betamax Sony instead of the Sony we've had since the 90s. You must've wanted us to come out from under our 1/2" rocks.

    6. Re:In Before... by circletimessquare · · Score: 1

      How about Walkman?

      And now I'm not joking... that device was as big a cultural shift as the smartphone.

      Why not reuse the name? It's their IP.

      It shows an introspective, penitent, and confident Sony looking into its past to claim its future.

      The ad campaign could feature Blade Runner-esque and William Gibson style "jacking in" and all that great early 1980s cyberpunk culture.

      --
      intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
    7. Re:In Before... by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 1

      Sony Walkman I'm actually considering it now that Apple has discontinued the iPod Classic line.

    8. Re:In Before... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      hey, wait a minute.. betamax is actually still used (there is high def beta formats), mainly by news and media that have not converted over to fully-digital cameras... plus, don't forget sony's most significant contribution to society in our generation revolves around the format... sony v universal.

    9. Re:In Before... by __aanbvm4272 · · Score: 1

      I would like to remind you that Philips had an equal share in bringing the CD to market. But who stifled the recordable CD? All the while declaring "I can record on a disk! I can record on a disk! in their ads. Well I bought one of those Mini disk recorders after they were in garage sales for 10s of dollars. Sure they worked like a mini floppy disc. Never fell for the hype and price of $300 to $500. Guess that's what will go down this time too. a little time drops prices like a lead weight. Me thinks they will come out with a Helmet named The Ah SoNee MeSee glasses. They remind me of a company in Redmond Washington always trying to enter a market late with proprietary batteries and software formats. And let's not forget the unlocking COA crap.

    10. Re:In Before... by circletimessquare · · Score: 1

      ahh! they already did repurpose the name, thanks for the info

      --
      intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
    11. Re:In Before... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't forget DAT and DVD.

  3. Making same mistakes by gurps_npc · · Score: 3, Interesting

    They put the annoying camera on it. Bad idea, people hate that. It should be on the separate controller, so people will always know when you are photographing them rather than suspect it. At least it appears to be 3d, using two projectors.

    --
    excitingthingstodo.blogspot.com
    1. Re:Making same mistakes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      You need a camera to identify what the user is looking at! Image recognition is sort key for any form of useful augmented reality. Otherwise you are just showing notifications from your phone and a stupid floating HUD.

    2. Re:Making same mistakes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      It should be on the separate controller, so people will always know when you are photographing them rather than suspect it.

      There's something I don't understand about these people's strategy: why aren't they suspecting it when they don't see any weird glasses?

      I wear a hat (and still this time of year, a jacket) when I'm out on the street, or when I'm in a bar, or in other places where your shapely-assed wife might be walking away from me. Nobody ever spontaneously punches me without provocation. I could very easily have a camera in there, and if I did, how might that compare to a typical Glass user, on the creepiness scale?

      It's not just hats. I see people with backpacks, purses, lumpy-padded coats, even shirts with buttons on them! There are a lot of these people out there, so you'd think the default expectation by everyone, is that they at least suspect their images and words are recorded, much of the time. (And then when they learn about ATMs and various business' security CCTV and other stuff, eventually they realize they are being photographed a lot of the time, for sure, and that there never really was much question about there being a risk of being photographed.)

      So WTF is the deal with singling out the conspicuously worn cameras? Why isn't that the least of everyone's worries? I just don't get it.

      I am not interested in Glass and even less interested in Sony's useless crap, but I think the camera-haters are stupid and I the more they proudly proclaim their stupidity and advertise how moronic they are about assessing privacy threats, the less respect I have for them. You think I'm recording what they say?! Not even for entertainment purposes.

    3. Re:Making same mistakes by tepples · · Score: 1

      So WTF is the deal with singling out the conspicuously worn cameras?

      It might have something to do with privacy laws that apply stricter scrutiny to pictures from hidden cameras.

    4. Re:Making same mistakes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They put the annoying camera on it. Bad idea, people hate that.

      Don't confuse your own opinions with the opinions of other assholes.

      It should be on the separate controller, so people will always know when you are photographing them rather than suspect it.

      Absofrigginglutely not. It should be HIDDEN, so that none of you antiglaxxers even know you're on camera. That, AND, it should record constantly, so we can see your terrible and embarrassing public behavior. and it should save to the cloud, so your own visual input can be replayed given some past time and date. and you should be able turn it off when you're whacking it. AND it should pay you money for using it. AND it should come with hookers, and blackjack. In fact, forget the Google Glass.

    5. Re:Making same mistakes by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      So I see you, hear you and remember what you said and did and that is OK but I can prove it, is not. What are you really trying to say, you want to reserve the very questionable right to lie?

      Smart glasses are really all about leaving that smart phone in your pocket, not having to take it out, of it being far more functional with vastly improved screen real estate.

      When it comes to advertising wonks of course the idea is not to jam in ads just anywhere in view space, that will get banned in short order, likely well before too many successful law suits for accidents caused by unexpected obscuring images but to have special billboards where the glasses substitute the shown image for an alternate one but ensure it is still enclosed within that physical defined boundary, be that in a shop window or the side of a building. Some interesting other things can be done, ugly streetscapes can be made beautiful, well at least in the eyes of the beholder.

      It will all make for very interesting walks down city streets, all those people staring off into no where, flapping their arms about and talking to themselves, it is all going to look really fucked up, at least until you join them and they cease to exist, welcome to the asylum ;D.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    6. Re:Making same mistakes by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Bad idea, people hate that.

      No. Vocal slashdot users hate that. The vast majority of people seem to be either intrigued by the concept, or campaigning against it to generate free newspaper advertising (i.e. Australian bar which made the news after it advertised that Google Glass is not permitted despite as far as I can tell no Glass products ever making it into this country, or cinemas banning it because of "privacy" despite it not having the battery life to live through a feature length recording session.).

  4. Rootkits, hacks - just the brand to trust by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    > The Internet-connected SmartEyeglass

    Just the brand to trust with not just the wearer's privacy, but of everyone's in vicinity. What could go wrong?

  5. Goody! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now one can look like a complete dork with products from two companies.

  6. Glassholes weren't geeky looking enough... by monkeyzoo · · Score: 3, Interesting

    So Sony added a wired controller?! Because, yeah, nothing is sexier than wearing something on your head with wires coming off it.

    1. Re:Glassholes weren't geeky looking enough... by geekmux · · Score: 1

      So Sony added a wired controller?! Because, yeah, nothing is sexier than wearing something on your head with wires coming off it.

      First thing I was thinking of too. Not sure which technical decade Sony was thrown back into recently, but they kind of missed the mark here with wireless NFC technology paired with a wired "remote".

    2. Re:Glassholes weren't geeky looking enough... by jellomizer · · Score: 1

      The issue I have with the design, isn't the wire, but the fact the frames are so huge and obvious.
      If we were to have normal looking glasses, with a low profile wire, that went to a bulker piece of electronics it wouldn't be so bad. You can have that wire hidden by your ear and hairline.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    3. Re:Glassholes weren't geeky looking enough... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >So Sony added a wired controller?! Because, yeah, nothing is sexier than wearing something on your head with wires coming off it.

      Not sexy, but healthy! You see, eyeglasses are worn on the head. (Most) human heads house a brain, which is a delicate and (usually) very complicated biological computer that runs on extremely low voltages. A radio frequency emitter in close promixity of brain acts like a kind of neuron-jammer and possibly a potent source for migraines. I think BT headspeaker users are silly for that very reason and I use IR based wireless headphones for TV, but of course IR is not good for faster data comms.

      (A certain prototype of night vision goggles equipped helmet, made for combat helicopter pilots has to be redesigned, because the power supply unit that converted battery juice to high voltage / high freq. AC was located at the back of the head to be able to double as a counter-weight. The RF noise emanating from that part made the wearers vomit like a comet, which is not funny at all when airborne.)

    4. Re:Glassholes weren't geeky looking enough... by schreiend · · Score: 1

      Where do you think the battery is?

    5. Re:Glassholes weren't geeky looking enough... by chilenexus · · Score: 1

      I bet it's going to be a PS4 controller.

    6. Re:Glassholes weren't geeky looking enough... by geekmux · · Score: 1

      >So Sony added a wired controller?! Because, yeah, nothing is sexier than wearing something on your head with wires coming off it.

      Not sexy, but healthy! You see, eyeglasses are worn on the head. (Most) human heads house a brain, which is a delicate and (usually) very complicated biological computer that runs on extremely low voltages. A radio frequency emitter in close promixity of brain acts like a kind of neuron-jammer and possibly a potent source for migraines. I think BT headspeaker users are silly for that very reason and I use IR based wireless headphones for TV, but of course IR is not good for faster data comms.

      So, a consumer who chooses to use a newer more robust wireless technology (BT) and suffers zero side effects from it's usage (even over years of use), they are somehow deemed "silly" to you?

      Perhaps the only thing that is silly is the amount of FUD you're trying to spread here. Even if it held some level of valid concern for public health, it's going to be one hell of an effort to convince the FCC to start banning wireless protocols that are as prevalent as BT/WiFi are today.

      Hell, your damn toaster and microwave will soon have BT, WiFi, 4G, and NFC as IoT takes over, so it would be some interesting fashion designs to attempt to wear a Faraday cage around your body all day every day to shield you from everyone else.

    7. Re:Glassholes weren't geeky looking enough... by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 2

      Because, yeah, nothing is sexier than wearing something on your head with wires coming off it.

      I know, right? When I first saw the girl in this photo I thought, I'd totally hook up with her. Then I saw that wire coming off of her headphones...

      Well, that and my wife and that I'm probably older than her father. But that wire was definitely the deciding factor for me.

    8. Re:Glassholes weren't geeky looking enough... by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      The biggest problem I have with the design, is the whole stupid idea that you buy it at some retail outlet. Let's get some far more realistic custom design fitting and make sure that each pair specifically suits that individual user, even the frame, let alone the lenses. The only place the glasses should be sold is at an optometrist and they should be properly fitted and adjusted to that specific user, otherwise problems will result with any real extended use.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
  7. so... by MickyTheIdiot · · Score: 2

    They are competing against a product that essentially never made it out of public beta?

    Maybe they will actually win this time.

    Maybe not.

    1. Re:so... by thebes · · Score: 1

      Google's plan to "force" companies to waste R&D resources? Last one with money in the bank wins!

    2. Re:so... by Bing+Tsher+E · · Score: 2

      To be fair, nothing from Google ever makes it out of public beta.

    3. Re:so... by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Perhaps Japan would tolerate it. I don't really have any idea how far they've moved towards total surveillance, but I'd be shocked if their cities weren't packed full of clever cameras.

      Sony has made a lot of stuff they have little intention of selling outside of Japan.

      There are fairly compelling business uses for something like glass. Many of them require a camera. I don't think they think they're going to sell a lot of these.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    4. Re:so... by Jack+Griffin · · Score: 1

      Sony's product will be just like Google's except more shit.

  8. Since Google Glass was never sold to the public... by gnasher719 · · Score: 1

    ... Sony has a chance to beat Google! They only need to sell one to a genuine non-developer customer!

  9. No thanks by ilsaloving · · Score: 1

    The last time I worked on a brand new Sony laptop, it was clear that Sony considered the laptop to be nothing more than a delivery vehicle for it's entertainment products. There was so much Sony crapware on the machine that, out of the box, it wasn't even usable until I uninstalled the majority of the junk.

    I anticipate that Sony will force you to watch a movie trailer every time you turn it on, and won't let you use it until you've watched the whole thing.

    1. Re:No thanks by Barny · · Score: 1

      This is the default state for all new laptops. Effectively this is their 'pre usable' mode of operation.

      --
      ...
      /me sighs
    2. Re:No thanks by krakelohm · · Score: 1

      This is the default state for all new **WINDOWS ** laptops. Effectively this is their 'pre usable' mode of operation.

      --
      You are all a bunch of idots.
  10. Now this is the right way to do it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Proper artificial reality. Although it's in monochrome, it actually has the ability to interact with most of your field of view... That means cool things like translating the sign you're reading or actually showing you which way to go. It's basically the entire opposite of what google glass was, which was the equivalent of putting your phone on a stick and gluing it to your head.

    Even monochrome low resolution, it's a great start.

  11. heh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I have to say...

    Every Sony product has weird connections, proprietary software and locked in usage, won't work with anything else, and makes Apple look like a BSD licensed product.

    And, of course, the cost.

    What's the point?

    Or, for once, is Sony going to make it an open platform, with standardized connectors, and cheaper than everyone else?

    1. Re:heh by war4peace · · Score: 1

      Your post is too long, let me summarize it for you:
      Fuck Sony and their overpriced shit.

      And that is my genuine opinion, it's not sarcasm.

      --
      ...gis sdrawkcab (usually not responding to ACs; don't bother posting as AC)
  12. "007, are you ready to sanction Sony Glass users ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "With pleasure, M, with pleasure"

  13. Exclusivity, not unfounded "privacy" concerns by sethstorm · · Score: 1

    The exclusivity is what really turned people off about it, not the "privacy" concerns that came up.

    --
    Twitter supports and protects racists - by smearing their critics with the "Hate Speech" label.
    1. Re:Exclusivity, not unfounded "privacy" concerns by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      B.S. I had a guy come into my office with Google Glass on his head. I didn't feel inadequate because he had a head mounted camera and I didn't. I felt like his recording me was creepy. I politely asked him not to wear the device. My also wearing a recording device that sent data to Google (or Sony, or other big name company) would not have made me feel better about him sending recordings of me to Google (or Sony, or other big name company).

    2. Re:Exclusivity, not unfounded "privacy" concerns by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Tough shit. Where the fuck is the outrage from the cameras on the streetlamp? Where the fuck is the outrage from the cameras in your own damn workplace, or the places where you eat, drink, and relax? But this guy, yeah, he's the real problem. "I politely asked him not to wear the device." I hope he told you to fuck right off. Wearing a piece of Google fucking glass on your head is a defensive measure against assholes like you.

      Ya know what, I too have seen a few people come in and talk to me while they wore Google Glass. I had no opinion about it, honestly. It didn't make me "feel" anything. If you think it felt creepy, that's what we call a personal problem, and that kind of paranoia is yours to deal with or see a head shrink about. It's certainly no one else's problem.

      Don't worry, though. Soon the tech will be small enough that there will be no way that you can determine whether the glasses have a camera in them or not. Deal with that, Luddite.

    3. Re:Exclusivity, not unfounded "privacy" concerns by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bull.
      There is no outrage over other exclusive normal glasses is there? in the same price range and with the same exclusivity? gove me one example of that.

      It's because the camera is on the glasses. the camera on the street light isn't constantly probably uploading the image to the largest search provider on earth with facial recognition, geolocation, personal contact and other date. A company that is self purported to be an "Identity services" company.

      That's why.

    4. Re:Exclusivity, not unfounded "privacy" concerns by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where the fuck is the outrage from the cameras on the streetlamp?

      He told you why: "...sending recordings of me to Google (or Sony, or other big name company)".

      If you want to be creepy Google's little bitch, go right ahead. Not wanting to be spied on by mindless little minions like you doesn't make us Luddites any more than not wanting to climb into the pedo's creepy van. If you swear that shit's consensual, please keep it between Google and yourself. Nobody else wants to be a part of it, weirdo.

  14. Add to PlayStation 5 Game play... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If they box a pair of them with each new Play Station 5, they will become popular.
      Integrated as an actual heads up display while game world content displays on screen,
    the glasses could become as familiar as the Play Station game controllers.

  15. Technology is more important than implementation.. by SenatorPerry · · Score: 2

    The screen is projected directly on the lense: http://www.loadthegame.com/wp-...

    This is fundamentally different than Google Glass with the eyepiece. Although the implementation is not ideal (it only projects green/yellow), it is the technology behind this design that is important. The ability to project directly on the lenses means that there are no external components that identify the wearer as any different than anyone else. Given time to shrink down and to eliminate the puck you have a device that the public could stomach at the right price.

    So please don't sink the technology. Only the implementation. One day we will all be wearing something like this and happier for it.

  16. In a world seeking alpha ... by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 1
    .. this was the company that sought world domination using a product named "Betamax". Pushed mini-DVD disks and mini-CD-R based cameras, pushed its memory stick relentlessly... Tried to be incompatible with the rest to lock their users in. Eventually it was able to kill Phillips' HD-DVD and got its Blue-ray to dominate the market, only to be blind sided by decidedly low-def streaming videos.

    So it is going to push weirdo glasses with cameras without the a history of "not being evil". With a wired handheld controller no less. Good luck with that. After the walkman in 1970, did Sony ever invent a new market category by itself?

    --
    sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
    1. Re:In a world seeking alpha ... by ColdWetDog · · Score: 1

      This is the company that has four different screens on it's DEV-50 digital binoculars straight from the lawyer's desk (Watch what you are doing, Don't run into things, You might get dizzy, You're gonna die) that you have to click through EVERY time you use the damn things. I can't wait to see what idiot warnings these things will come with.

      And, if it's like any other Sony product aside from their cameras, they will never update the firmware, fix anything that breaks or even acknowledge that they made it once the newer version comes out.

      I've never seen a more hostile consumer electronics company.

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    2. Re:In a world seeking alpha ... by Barny · · Score: 1

      Well, they did help build the 'sue your users into oblivion' business model that became ever so popular. That counts right?

      --
      ...
      /me sighs
  17. Does these smart glasses even have a market? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I have to wonder how much of this in regards to a viable market is all smoke and mirrors? Just like smart watches, I think the product is designed for a yet to be determined market. Sony really does not need to venture into a market that so far has yet to impress one business (Google) yet alone create a market capable of providing good sales for multiple companies.

    1. Re:Does these smart glasses even have a market? by Barny · · Score: 1

      Hey, I actually found a use for a smart watch the other day. Dominos pizza (at least the aussie version) app supports them to show how long your pizza/food is taking to cook and be delivered.

      --
      ...
      /me sighs
  18. hey sony by jbarone · · Score: 1

    Might want to ask Nintendo how the Virtual Boy worked out for them.

  19. Re:Since Google Glass was never sold to the public by Barny · · Score: 1

    Nah, all they need to do is put them on a store shelf ;)

    --
    ...
    /me sighs
  20. not a competitor! by Gravis+Zero · · Score: 1

    google glass is no longer being sold, so there is literally no competition between the two.

    --
    Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
    1. Re:not a competitor! by machineghost · · Score: 1

      Google Glass ***in its current, pre-product form*** has stopped ***being offered at an insane price to beta testers***. That is FAR from saying glass is done being sold; it just means it isn't being sold *yet*.

      Google did not spend all that money, and throw the head of Nest on the project only to stop competing in that space.

  21. $840 by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

    $840 dollars from Samsung translates roughly into $1600 from your optician.
     

    --
    I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
  22. motorcycle HUD by severn2j · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The single reason I'm interested in this tech is as a HUD for when I'm on my motorcycle. Having a satnav displaying just above my fov would be perfect.. Does anyone know how well this works for this purpose?

    1. Re:motorcycle HUD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Already exists,

      http://www.pcworld.com/article/2463800/skully-headsup-display-motorcycle-helmet-now-available-for-preorder.html

  23. I wonder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What the volume and tone of the comments would be if it were Apple rather than Sony. I'm sure we'd see at least a small fanboy flamewar.

  24. Google had glasshole so.. by burtosis · · Score: 1

    What's the new name for someone who wears this product?

    1. Re:Google had glasshole so.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What's the new name for someone who wears this product?

      smart a**hole?

  25. If the past is any indication by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you pirate something, it burns your eyes!

  26. sounds like microsoft kin by kenj123 · · Score: 1

    i think the kin lasted about 2 months. total investment by ms was 1 billion. i remember seeing the first ads (the first time i knew of it), i got a really good laugh. this thing will last about as long.

  27. not a lens? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I was hoping for Sony hololens...

  28. Sony Segway competitor? by Drunkulus · · Score: 1

    If Sony could also come up with a viable alternative to the Segway, they could really lock up the mall cop market.

  29. SmartSpex by klek · · Score: 1

    Shoulda used more alliteration. #missedOpportunity

  30. The Perfect Name! by DrSlinky · · Score: 3, Funny

    New in 2015! Sony presents: The SeeMan!

  31. Why this will fail... by bitterblackale · · Score: 1

    In three words: Sony Beta Max also Sony Mini Disc or in just two words: Sony Reader Unless they've learnt a lesson from failures which resulted from overly defensive licensing, we'll be talking about how the Sony device was better, but no-one used it.