Food for thought from reader Jeremy Zimmerman:
A partnership was announced between Sony and Cablevision recently. Though it does not say so directly, it is clear that their intent is to distribute the Sony Playstation 2 directly through Cable companies to homeowners. Homeowners will be able to use the Playstation 2 to play games, watch movies on demand, send and receive email, and receive broadband Internet access. The unique thing about this is that the Playstation becomes the centerpiece of Golden Convergence. Assuring that the Playstation 2 will dominate the market for Video Games and low cost Internet in the future.
Note that the cost Cablevision is paying is 1 billion for approximately 3 million devices. That comes out to $333 dollars each. About the same price as a Playstation 2. Also, it is not scheduled to be released in the US until September 2000, which is the same time frame as the launch of the Playstation 2.
How does this affect our favorite fruit company you ask? Well, if for a slightly higher rate than you currently pay you could have access to All Playstation and Playstation 2 games, Broadband Internet access, and TV on demand, why wouldn’t you take advantage of it?
For answers to these questions and more, read Jeremy’s rant.
