Sony Dis-Connected

Sony Connect

Multiple wire services are reporting that SONY is shuttering its SONY CONNECT online music store, as well as its proprietary audio technology. What's more, it will open its portable media players to other formats.

The announcement came at a BERLIN trade show, where SONY was showcasing a new pair of new digital Walkmans that can play the Windows Media Audio, MP3 and AAC audio formats. "This gives customers greater flexibility in their music software approach," the company said in a statement. "As a result, SONY will be phasing out the CONNECT Music Services based on Sony's ATRAC audio format in NORTH AMERICA and EUROPE."

Plans are to phase out the CONNECT Music service; SONY has sent out an e-mail to CONNECT users, promising not to close before MARCH 2008, but it wouldn't get more specific.

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