The presence of Spotify and other digital music players completely shifted the business and operational model for Sony.ĭigital music players created an online platform where users could listen to music through a subscription or free basis. Organizational silos made Sony late in the game with the digital portable music players – the launch of the iPod in 2001 made Sony lose its position in the portable music industry.(3) By 2010, digital music was growing in the music industry. Although Sony owned the contents and hardware related to music, it was unable to synergize its businesses. Sony was now one of the major record companies in music, but its audio-tech business (under the Walkman brand name) was struggling. Pathways to Just Digital Future Watch this tech inequality series featuring scholars, practitioners, & activistsįast forward to 2010.
