They can be synonymous alright. In that earlier article they did mention the slaying of sacred cows(which is probably why the old guard are resisting it, they're fighting for their positions, not for the company).

@NJ5

ok so restructuring can mean that too

thanks

Its part of japanese culture especially more so in japan.  This is where the culture clash is also coming from.  If a large part of job cut come from japan it self there might be a huge backlash.

@darthdevidem01: I just searched a bit on google and came up with some articles about Sony's previous restructurings. For example:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4270302.stm

(2005 - closing factories, laying off 10,000 people)

http://www.twice.com/article/CA334752.html

(2003 - LCD joint venture with Samsung, reorganization, laying off 20,000 people over three years). Note how the restructuring took a $3.1 billion investment, these things don't come for free...

They should raise up the price of the PS3 back to $500 and make back their money they lost earlier with the PS3. Their is no point of having a price War with M$. Most people will buy the PS3 because of the brandname anyways.

I take "software" as a broad term for user interface, features, connectivity etc in various devices.  After all, hardware specs and design is one thing, but without software support for GUI and all that, even the prettiest and most powerful gadget would have problem selling.  So by "selling software", I won't take it literally as Sony becoming a Microsoft or Google, but more like useful and cool applications on their cameras, camcorders, cell phones, televisions, pretty much everything.

Come to think of it, the ps3 epitomizes sony's failure in making software that has broad appeal.

Stringer brings up an interesting point that I haven't thought of.  As hardware gradually become commdities, more and more of the competition goes into the software part of things, i.e. the value-added portion is more in the software (and design, in my opinion, and less features and specs, or even reliability to a small extent).  Can Sony change its mentality from merely being a top-of-the-line hardware manufacturer?

It would be great if Sony can achieve both.  But obviously, easier said than done.

A little more about Sony from bloomberg:

Sony to Announce Reshuffle Today or Tomorrow, FT Says (Update1)

By Dave McCombs and Pavel Alpeyev

Jan. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Sony Corp. is preparing to release details of a restructuring plan today or tomorrow that’s pitting Chairman Howard Stringer against executives in its electronics division, the Financial Times reported.

Stringer’s plan to cut jobs, announced in December, faces opposition from an “old guard” of managers in the electronics business, the newspaper reported today, citing a senior person it didn’t identify. The report isn’t based on Sony’s announcement, spokeswoman Mami Imada said by telephone from Tokyo.

A much larger-than-anticipated deterioration in the economy spurred Sony on Dec. 9 to announce plans for 16,000 job cuts and say it may revise profit targets. The company said at the time it will curtail investments, farm out production and move away from unprofitable businesses by March 2010 to save more than 100 billion yen ($1.1 billion) a year.

“The employment issue is a very delicate one and it’s easy to imagine it becoming the center of managerial dispute,” said Nobu Kurahashi, an analyst at Mizuho Investors Securities Co. in Tokyo with a “neutral plus” rating on Sony. “Mr. Stringer should exercise his leadership in carrying out the restructuring and showing a vision for the company.”

Details of the financial impact of the measures will be given in January, when the company reports fiscal third-quarter results, Sony said in December.

Sony fell 3 percent to 1,964 yen as of 9:46 a.m. on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, its lowest since Dec. 30. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average dropped 2 percent.

The disagreement centers on whether products such as televisions have become commodities, the newspaper reported. The coming announcement will include details of where the job reductions will take place, it said.

Sony on Oct. 23 forecast that net income will probably drop 59 percent in the year ending March 31 to 150 billion yen, reducing the outlook by 38 percent as the stronger yen and slumping demand undermine sales of its electronics including Bravia televisions. The company also makes PlayStation game consoles, Walkman music players and Cyber-shot digital cameras.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aWXg3xlvMtb8

this.

im not a business major or anything but i do believe sony got a big reality check. by this i mean they are now starting to realise that they need to cater more than just to the premium buyers. all these layoffs, closing factories, etc etc in the end are gonna bring this company back to its feet, and i hope they learn from this.

as for the gaming division they havent set a plan, and of course they are aiming for profitability. so im assuming they will not cut the price of the ps3 at all this year or if they feel the pressure or urge to it will come late 09. this way they can atleast start making some profit from this black hole.

imo this is a great time for young business entrepreneurs. you get to learn alot from these tough times...hopefully

I'd guess.

HD TVS = Blu-ray movies/Built in streaming service

etc.

i hope they cut sony ericsson.