http://jay-photo.com/blog/2007/07/01/is-panasonic-the-new-sony/ Reflections on life, work and everything in between Mon, 10 May 2010 23:57:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://jay-photo.com/blog/2007/07/01/is-panasonic-the-new-sony/comment-page-1/#comment-10900 DaveK Tue, 03 Jul 2007 05:57:23 +0000 http://jay-photo.com/blog/2007/07/01/is-panasonic-the-new-sony/#comment-10900 Sony has definitely lost its edge as an innovator, then let their NEXT major differentiator slip by (and get usurped by Apple) - the Sony Style. Sony Style meant the look of the hardware but also how to use it. It was Sony who pioneered (I think) those now-classic button shapes for play, pause, fast forward and rewind. I remember seeing them as a kid on a Sony reel-to-reel "tapecorder" (yes, that's what it said on the box), and noticing them. In fact, that might be my first recall instance of a branded user interface. Somehow they let their stamp of Sony Style get diluted and compromised - perhaps by having several design centers? Anyway, it is a sad fall from glory for Sony. Sony has definitely lost its edge as an innovator, then let their NEXT major differentiator slip by (and get usurped by Apple) – the Sony Style. Sony Style meant the look of the hardware but also how to use it. It was Sony who pioneered (I think) those now-classic button shapes for play, pause, fast forward and rewind. I remember seeing them as a kid on a Sony reel-to-reel “tapecorder” (yes, that’s what it said on the box), and noticing them. In fact, that might be my first recall instance of a branded user interface. Somehow they let their stamp of Sony Style get diluted and compromised – perhaps by having several design centers? Anyway, it is a sad fall from glory for Sony.

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