Sony Kills off Aibo, Qrio, Qualia

Tomo-chan writes "It seems Sony's cost-cutting has made it a more pragmatic company. The new boss has weilded his mighty chopper and put an end to both Aibo and Qrio, as well as some other marginal product lines. Aibo -- we'll miss you..."

Seems wrong.......

[ShyGuy91284]

That dog (so to speak) was practically an unofficial mascot to Sony and Japan to foreigners....... I know I thought of Japan/Sony when I saw one. I'm surprised they got rid of something that had become part of their identity. Maybe they will replace it with a low-cost model many can afford?

You thought the Aibo Was Expensive Before?

[Anonymous Coward]

Wait 'til you see what they will be going for on Ebay now that they have been discontinued.

Re:Truly bad product timing or economic pressure?

[MMC Monster]

On the same vein, my dad's first TV was a Sony that lasted upwards of 15 years without a problem. Since then he always bought Sony TVs. Over the last decade he has come to me for advice on electronics.

I pointed him towards the iMac 21" G5. He will never willingly use Windows again.

I got him a iPod for Christmas. His CD collection will never leave the house again.

Now he's looking for a new TV to replace his Sony 65" XBR that's about a dozen years old. I think I'm going to have him get a Samsung. I don't know which brand for sure, but I'm sure as hell not going to recommend a Sony.

Brand loyalty works both ways. We've been loyal to Sony. I personally feel betrayed. He can't believe that what I've told him about the root kits is even true. (Saying that it's obviously illegal)

Re:Truly bad product timing or economic pressure?

[dada21]

Exactly. You paid a premium for a high quality product with higher quality service. The free market in action :)

Samsung is the ONLY television company I will buy from right now (other than large screen projectors). The last 3 TVs I helped people buy were from Samsung. My cell phone is from Samsung. These people answer their e-mails and phone calls, and they've fixed any problem I've had in recent years.

Good choices, good post.

Re:Truly bad product timing or economic pressure?

[Bucc5062]

"Here's a hint for all you future entrepreneurs: the only thing that will keep you profitable is to keep your customers happy and offer them a consistency in your performance -- product quality and customer service. Ignore the trends, the fads and trying to sell everything to everyone."

I would suggest that the best thing to keep you profitable is to keep your employees happy and offer them a positive, stimulating workplace in which to grow. There have been many stories over the years that I've heard which showed when a company focused on keeping the employee happy and motived, this translated into better customer satifaction and profit. Employees that come to work with a desire to do good, to contribute are people that come through the door with ideas on how to make the company better, with a desire to help the customer because they want that customer to like (believe) in their company.

Look at a company like Southwest airlines; right in their mission statement (http://www.southwest.com/about_swa/mission.html [southwest.com]) page they publicly state the way they will treat their employees. The first quarter after 9/11 they where the only major carrier that continued to earn a profit. Some of that success must come from the three pronged framework of employee - customer - employer. By putting the customer first, it is a small step to putting the shareholder first and that leads to management looking at employees as numbers on a profit loss statement instead of valuable resources to help grow the company. Of course it is important to keep the customer happy, but it is short sighted to think it stops there.

Overall, I have the same feelings about Sony today. I avoid purchasing any of their products, but now that is in the forefront of my mind when I do want to buy something, I see how many product lines they are into. I purchased a 42" Samsung widescreen recently and now am glad that it was a good choice.