Published on 01/21/2005
Sony has decided to open up its proprietary UMD disc format used in the PSP portable console so that others can build products compatible with the format.
The small disc has a capacity of 1.8GB and was designed for the Sony PSP. However, Sony wants to take this opportunity to lead in technology, once more. To lead, you have to make people follow you, and they won't unless you're open.
The winds of change are blowing at Sony. Ken Kutaragi, President of Sony Computer Entertainment said it recently: it was a mistake for Sony to think that they could lock users to their proprietary formats. The failure of ATRAC3, a competitor of MP3 is a proof.
Sony might also have big plans to turn its game console into an entertainment platform. It is not impossible that they seek to have movie rental services available for the PSP.
via dvd-recordable.org