The IFA conference in Berlin doesn't officially start until Friday, but Sony got things started early today by announcing an unlimited, cloud-based music service that will initially be accessible via PlayStation gaming consoles and other Web-connected devices.
Sony also unveiled new Reader e-book devices and a new touch-screen Bloggie pocket camcorder.
In a press conference at IFA, Sony confirmed plans to release 'Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity,' a cloud-based, digital music service that will be available by year's end. According to the company, the service will grant its users access to millions of songs in the cloud where they can discover new music and personalize channels across devices.
The service will be available on Sony's 2010 Web-enabled Bravia HDTVs, Sony Blu-ray players and home-theater systems, PS3 consoles, PCs, and eventually on Sony portable devices.
"We are excited to offer our customers high quality, cloud-based entertainment experiences across many of Sony's network-enabled devices," Kazuo Hirai, president of Sony's networked products and services group, said in a statement. "Services 'powered by Qriocity' will revolutionize the way that users play, listen, watch, share, communicate, learn, discover and create their digital entertainment content."
Sony also announced plans to extend "Video On Demand powered by Qriocity" to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the U.K. in the fall. The streaming video service, which debuted in the U.S. in April, includes content from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Lionsgate, MGM, NBC Universal, Paramount, Sony, The Walt Disney Company, and Warner Bros. Content can be rented via Sony's 2010 models of network-enabled Bravia TVs, Blu-ray players, and Blu-ray home-theater systems.
The Sony press event also focused a lot of attention on 3D.
The 3D upgrade for the PlayStation 3 is coming in October for movies, games, and sports, Sony said.
The company showed off a prototype version of a 3D Sony Vaio laptop, which will include full HD, 200-HZ high frame rate technology, and LED backlight. It will launch in April, according to the Sony Europe Twitter feed. The company also demoed a Sony Internet TV that will be the first HDTV powered by the upcoming Google TV.
Sony also unveiled three new receivers, including a 3D version, all of which will be available in October. The company will also release its first 3D home projector, the VPL-VW90ES, across Europe in November.
Finally, Sony also partnered with TomTom for a new range of GPS devices that will be available in Europe in November.