Sony does well in games but smartphone business shrinks
Because the PlayStation 4 isn’t as powerful as a PC that’s typically recommended for VR, the headset will include a separate processor unit to help smooth out gameplay. Games and videos will be projected on a big screen in a virtual environment created inside the headset.
As Sony approaches the October launch of its first major virtual reality product, PlayStation VR, the company has begun to publish more info about its system.
This significant decrease was mainly due to the impact of foreign exchange rates, and a decrease in Mobile Communications segment sales reflecting weak smartphone unit sales. Some even believe that the console will sell more than 100 million units worldwide, a feat that only five other consoles (including the PlayStation and PlayStation 2) have ever managed to accomplish.
CEO Kazuo Hirai ought to be mightily chuffed to tell shareholders that instead of the ¥39 billion ($501 million) net loss analysts had been expecting for the June quarter, he was delivering a ¥21.2 billion profit. It did see gains in its game and network services segment, boosted by PS4 sales.
Sony didn’t have a great start to its fiscal 2016.
Sony on Friday cut its sales forecast for the current fiscal year, citing the impact of a surging yen and slower smartphone sales, as net profit also took a hit.
It lowered its annual sales forecast to 7.4 trillion yen ($71.6 billion) from an earlier 7.8 trillion yen ($75.5 billion).
Sony’s phone division posted a 400 million yen profit after the company slashed costs, reducing its range of models and retreating from markets where it struggled. “And by prolonging the life of the PS4, profits should grow”.
This week, it agreed to sell its battery business to Japanese electronic components maker Murata Manufacturing Co.
April’s quakes in Japan walloped the division that makes image sensors used in digital cameras.
Sony flagged a possible loss from the sale depending on the as yet-undetermined price, but analysts viewed the deal as another move out of unprofitable operations.
Its movie division benefited from the popularity of “The Angry Birds Movie”, Sony said.