The fall of Sony and Japanese consumer tech

[Black Diamond Vol]

Interesting article.  I never thought I'd see the day when the Japanese tech industry would sink this low, this fast.  In less than a decade, they've ceded their stranglehold in TVs, cellphones, and PCs to the Koreans (LG and Samsung), Americans (Apple, Vizio, Motorola, HP, Dell), Taiwanese (HTC), even the Finns (Nokia, which isn't a big player in the US anymore, but is still the #1 cellphone manufacturer in the world).  And they remain a non-player in categories like tablets, software, and PC components.  At least they still dominate high-end photography, where Canon and Nikon still reign supreme.  But even there, the drastic improvement in cellphone cameras is on the verge of killing the point and shoot market, where Japanese companies like Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, and Olympus once thrived.

In fact, as I take inventory of my house, I own only 3 pieces of Japanese hardware: An $8 Sony clock radio, the Sony blu-ray in my bedroom that I got for 79 bucks at Costco, and my Denon receiver.   

I would guess that Sony would be out of business already if not for their gaming and motion picture divisions.  As it is, they may go under within 5 years if they don't make some drastic changes.  Just a few years ago, that was unthinkable.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-57414373-64/sonys-fall-and-japans-hang-ups/?tag=cnetRiver

[BanditVol]

True, I guess it shows that everything runs it's course.  Having lived through the 80s and been exposed to a bit of Japanese attitude myself, I do find the last couple lines funny though.

I remember a little game the Japanese media used to play back in the late '80s: they would ask Japanese consumers if they could think of an American product they would want to buy. Japanese consumers would more often than not scratch their heads.

Well, I really can't think of any Sony product that I would want to buy today. How times have changed.

[Volznut]

Yep, I knew it was coming 5 years ago. The Japanese have never been innovative, they are good at copying and making things better. They have not been able to compete with the Koreans in innovations, and they have not identified threats to their existing markets well. They're even facing challenges in the automotive industry now with the rise of Hyundai and the rejuvination of Ford and GM. They are still doing well in the gaming industry, but they will face challenges there too.

I am also looking at my house and seeing :

TVs: Panasonic and Samsung (1 Japanese and 1 Korean)
Cell: HTC and Apple (Taiwanese and American)
Tablet: Apple (American)
Gaming; Wii (Japanese)
Appliances: Samsung, Frigidaire, Maytag (Korean, American, american)
vehicles: Honda, Mazda (Japanese, partly -American)
laptops: dell, asus, lenovo (american, chinese)

[Black Diamond Vol]

Yep, I knew it was coming 5 years ago. The Japanese have never been innovative, they are good at copying and making things better. They have not been able to compete with the Koreans in innovations, and they have not identified threats to their existing markets well. They're even facing challenges in the automotive industry now with the rise of Hyundai and the rejuvination of Ford and GM. They are still doing well in the gaming industry, but they will face challenges there too.

I am also looking at my house and seeing :

TVs: Panasonic and Samsung (1 Japanese and 1 Korean)
Cell: HTC and Apple (Taiwanese and American)
Tablet: Apple (American)
Gaming; Wii (Japanese)
Appliances: Samsung, Frigidaire, Maytag (Korean, American, american)
vehicles: Honda, Mazda (Japanese, partly -American)
laptops: dell, asus, lenovo (american, chinese)

It's hard to imagine the Japanese big 3 automakers facing any serious trouble any time soon, but you're right- They are being challenged right now like they never have before.  Hyundai is now every bit the equal of Honda and Toyota, quality-wise.  Ford can now actually be called one of the most innovative companies in the industry (never thought I'd say THAT).  And VW sold more Passats last month than they did in all of 2011 (take a bow, Chattanooga ).

BTW, Frigidaire is actually now a division of Electrolux, a Swedish company.

[Volznut]

Japanese have always been big on manufacturing efficiency. They have never been innovators.

[Black Diamond Vol]

As for gaming, it's not hard to see the demise of the Japanese coming up very soon.  It's already happened on the software side, where only Nintendo remains a viable player.  Capcom and Konami, who developed nearly every big title in the 90's, are just fringe players today.  As for hardware, Sony is still strong, but as previously mentioned, they are having major problems elsewhere.  Nintendo is coming out with the next gen Wii-U at the end of this year, but developers who have gotten their hands on it say that it's not even as powerful as the current-gen Xbox and PS3. 

And the entire industry is about to be shaken up by a pair of American companies.  Valve, whose Steam service is already a major player in PC gaming, has a console in development.  And of course Apple has the potential to drop a tactical nuke on the entire industry.  They are widely rumored to have some kind of console (or maybe a TV with a streaming console built in) in development.  If Apple takes the court, the game changes for everyone.

[Volznut]

As for gaming, it's not hard to see the demise of the Japanese coming up very soon.  It's already happened on the software side, where only Nintendo remains a viable player.  Capcom and Konami, who developed nearly every big title in the 90's, are just fringe players today.  As for hardware, Sony is still strong, but as previously mentioned, they are having major problems elsewhere.  Nintendo is coming out with the next gen Wii-U at the end of this year, but developers who have gotten their hands on it say that it's not even as powerful as the current-gen Xbox and PS3. 

And the entire industry is about to be shaken up by a pair of American companies.  Valve, whose Steam service is already a major player in PC gaming, has a console in development.  And of course Apple has the potential to drop a tactical nuke on the entire industry.  They are widely rumored to have some kind of console (or maybe a TV with a streaming console built in) in development.  If Apple takes the court, the game changes for everyone.

I know for a fact Apple is going to be in it, as I do have some industry inside knowledge of them, based on what I work on. I work with Apple on some things, and know some people at Apple. I can't say much more about it publicly though.

[BigOrange Maniac]

Proud to say that I don't own a single Japanese vehicle, appliance or other electronic equipment.  Straight American here.  (Now if only American companies could start holding up their end of the bargain with the cheap, every-day stuff.  )

[Black Diamond Vol]

Alright, here's my complete list:

TVs: LG(x2)
Blu Rays: LG, Sony
Gaming: Microsoft
Receiver: Denon
Speakers: Energy (division of Klipsch, American company)
Universal Remote: Logitech (Swiss)- Seems silly to include a remote on this list, but seeing as it cost me more than either of my Blu-ray players, I felt compelled to
Phone: Motorola
PC: Apple, HP(x2)
Appliances: Whirlpool (x6)
Vehicle: Nissan

[VoLynteer]

I hope you all realize how many Americans are employed by foreign car manufacturers....especially in the south. BDV I applaud your vehicle choice. 

[Black Diamond Vol]

I hope you all realize how many Americans are employed by foreign car manufacturers....especially in the south. BDV I applaud your vehicle choice. 

After Ooltewah got screwed at Smyrna in the playoffs a few years ago, I seriously thought about torching that sucker.

I'm actually looking at adding a small economical car, possibly a Jetta TDI.  Then I'll be supporting both TN car makers. 

[Volznut]

I hope you all realize how many Americans are employed by foreign car manufacturers....especially in the south. BDV I applaud your vehicle choice. 

and how many American suppliers to these manufacturers and their employees as well.

[VoLynteer]

and how many American suppliers to these manufacturers and their employees as well.

Yep. I have a coworker that recently bought a Ford and spouted American made bull to me.  She didn't like it when I pointed out they are built in Canada with Mexican parts.  I know for a fact Nissans are built with a majority of American manufactured parts.

[Volznut]

Yep. I have a coworker that recently bought a Ford and spouted American made bull to me.  She didn't like it when I pointed out they are built in Canada with Mexican parts.  I know for a fact Nissans are built with a majority of American manufactured parts.

It's a crapshoot. There are Fords made in the US, mexico, Canada. Hondas are made in the US and Mexico, as well as Japan. Same with Nissan, Toyota, etc. VW, BMW, Hyundai, Mercedes all have US plants. Lexus is made in Canada. All of them have suppliers all over. Very few cars are 100% American or Japanese or Korean, etc, anymore.

[Quasi EVol]

I know for a fact Apple is going to be in it, as I do have some industry inside knowledge of them, based on what I work on. I work with Apple on some things, and know some people at Apple. I can't say much more about it publicly though.

Try not to leave any prototypes in any bars, okay? 

[Volznut]

Try not to leave any prototypes in any bars, okay? 

LOL... only tech geeks will get that one I guess.

[PirateVOL]

Try not to leave any prototypes in any bars, okay? 

Actually I would like him to leave a prototype in the bal, as I'm getting to his table ...