Sony, On-line!

Sony Computer Entertainment today announced a strategic alliance with the world’s biggest Internet service provider America On-line. Before the PS2 was officially launched, Sony stated that it intended to deliver Broadband functionality. This will soon become a reality. PS2 owners will have the opportunity to connect to the Internet, use e-mail, instant message each other, and most importantly play on-line games.

A network broadband adapter and a large capacity hard drive will be on sale later this year in North America with Europe to follow shortly afterwards. Using America On-line’s infrastructure, nearly 30 million users, and Sony’s console experience, this venture will bring PS2 owners into the next-generation of connectivity. Information, communication and entertainment.

Other new peripherals to be announced are a dedicated USB keyboard, USB mouse and an LCD display. These add-ons will make using the Internet easier and the LCD display will be NTSC, PAL and XGA compatible.

"Given our shared corporate vision and power for the evolution of online computer entertainment, AOL and SCEI make ideal partners," said Ken Kutaragi, president and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

This alliance is good news for both companies and even better news for gamers.