Sony confirms PS3 video store in summer

Sony will expand its PlayStation 3 system with a video download service in the summer, the company has confirmed both through an official document on its company strategy as well as statements made by Sony Computer Enteraintment chief Kaz Hirai. The electronics giant's PlayStation Network will be one of its first services to start offering downloadable video and should start with a US-based service for the PS3 in the summer; the PSP will also have access to a service available later this year.

Details for the service haven't been announced but will be unveiled when the E3 gaming expo opens on July 15th, the company says.

The company also says it plans to offer video downloads to its video-capable Walkman media players and that all of its BRAVIA LCD TVs with the Internet Link and similar features will receive direct access to the movie Hancock before it becomes available on DVD.

Sony's confirmation of the PS3 and Walkman services puts it into direct contention with both Apple and Microsoft on multiple levels. The Japan-based company now has potential inroads against the Apple TV and Xbox 360, with several million PS3s already in service; the unnamed PSP and Walkman downloads also compete against both iTunes and the Zune Marketplace, which offer similar services to their respective creators' portable players.

Filed under: iPod, industry
Other story tags: Microsoft, iTunes, sony, PS3, Xbox 360, Zune, PSP, walkman, Bravia