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# Sony, KIDDI Link Could Challenge Apple
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/sony-kiddi-link/
- Published: 2007-10-17T07:00:08.000Z
- Updated: 2007-10-17T07:00:08.000Z
- Description: Sony and Japan’s second largest mobile carrier KDDI said Tuesday they will enable digital music to be shared between Sony portable and home music players and mobile phones on KDDI’s. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2007/10/sony-kiddi-link.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Vinyl, Cassettes & Retail, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:06

[![Sony_2](https://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/images/2007/10/17/sony_2.jpg "Sony_2")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/17/sony%5F2.jpg&ref=hypebot.com)

  
Sony and Japan’s second largest mobile carrier KDDI [said](http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/sony-kddi-tie-up-music/story.aspx?guid=%7B4E3204D9-04E4-4EC0-BB86-76FD45EE935A%7D&ref=hypebot.com) Tuesday they will enable

[![Applelogo_2](https://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/images/2007/10/17/applelogo_2.jpg "Applelogo_2")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/17/applelogo%5F2.jpg&ref=hypebot.com)

digital music to be shared between Sony portable and home music players and  
mobile phones on KDDI’s network.

It’s the kind of partnership that, if copied by others, could create a major tear in Apple’s armor

Much of the power of the iTunes, iPod and now iPhone combination  
comes from Apple’s closed ecosystem. Not only has it created an ease of  
use that consumers find appealing; it has also kept out competition.

But as formerly competing device manufacturers and services open  
their platforms, the appeal to consumers becomes undeniable. The demise  
of DRM is also accelerating openness and encouraging the development of  
outside applications that add value and color the consumer experience.

Apple would have you believe that they stand apart from the  
competition. But as this week’s iTunes Plus price cuts attest; in the  
digital age no company can ignore the marketplace for long.