TOKYO and REDMOND, Wash., May 16,
2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Corporation (Sony) and
Microsoft Corp. (Microsoft) announced on Thursday that the two
companies will partner on new innovations to enhance customer
experiences in their direct-to-consumer entertainment platforms and
AI solutions.
Under the memorandum of understanding signed by the parties, the
two companies will explore joint development of future cloud
solutions in Microsoft Azure to support their respective game and
content-streaming services. In addition, the two companies will
explore the use of current Microsoft Azure datacenter-based
solutions for Sony's game and content-streaming services. By
working together, the companies aim to deliver more enhanced
entertainment experiences for their worldwide customers. These
efforts will also include building better development platforms for
the content creator community.
As part of the memorandum of understanding, Sony and Microsoft
will also explore collaboration in the areas of semiconductors and
AI. For semiconductors, this includes potential joint development
of new intelligent image sensor solutions. By integrating Sony's
cutting-edge image sensors with Microsoft's Azure AI technology in
a hybrid manner across cloud and edge, as well as solutions that
leverage Sony's semiconductors and Microsoft cloud technology, the
companies aim to provide enhanced capabilities for enterprise
customers. In terms of AI, the parties will explore incorporation
of Microsoft's advanced AI platform and tools in Sony consumer
products, to provide highly intuitive and user-friendly AI
experiences.
"Sony is a creative entertainment company with a solid
foundation of technology. We collaborate closely with a multitude
of content creators that capture the imagination of people around
the world, and through our cutting-edge technology, we provide the
tools to bring their dreams and vision to reality," said
Kenichiro Yoshida, president and CEO
of Sony. "PlayStation® itself came about through the integration of
creativity and technology. Our mission is to seamlessly evolve this
platform as one that continues to deliver the best and most
immersive entertainment experiences, together with a cloud
environment that ensures the best possible experience, anytime,
anywhere. For many years, Microsoft has been a key business partner
for us, though of course the two companies have also been competing
in some areas. I believe that our joint development of future cloud
solutions will contribute greatly to the advancement of interactive
content. Additionally, I hope that in the areas of semiconductors
and AI, leveraging each company's cutting-edge technology in a
mutually complementary way will lead to the creation of new value
for society."
"Sony has always been a leader in both entertainment and
technology, and the collaboration we announced today builds on this
history of innovation," said Satya
Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. "Our partnership brings the power
of Azure and Azure AI to Sony to deliver new gaming and
entertainment experiences for customers."
Going forward, the two companies will share additional
information when available.
About Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation is a creative
entertainment company with a solid foundation of technology. From
game and network services to music, pictures, electronics,
semiconductors and financial services — Sony's purpose is to fill
the world with emotion through the power of creativity and
technology. For more information, visit: http://www.sony.net/.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft)
enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud
and intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and
every organization on the planet to achieve more.
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SOURCE Microsoft Corp.