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The establishment of the company that would evolve into Sony was the collaborative effort of Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.
Answer: True
Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita were the principal founders of Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K., the precursor to the modern Sony Corporation.
Sony's commitment to high production quality played a role in enhancing American perceptions of products manufactured in Japan.
Answer: True
Through its consistent delivery of high-quality electronics, Sony contributed significantly to shifting the perception of 'made in Japan' goods from low-cost to high-quality and innovative.
The TR-55 transistor radio was the inaugural product released by Sony.
Answer: False
Sony's first product was an electric rice cooker, released in the late 1940s. The TR-55 transistor radio was an early product, but not the very first.
Prior to its rebranding, what was the original corporate name of the entity that evolved into the modern Sony Corporation?
Answer: Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K.
The company was originally established as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. on May 7, 1946, before its eventual renaming.
Who were the founders of Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo, which later became Sony?
Answer: Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita
The founders of Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo were Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.
Identify Sony's very first product, which was introduced in the late 1940s.
Answer: Electric Rice Cooker
Sony's initial product, launched in the late 1940s, was an electric rice cooker.
The corporate entity that eventually adopted the name 'Sony' was initially established under a different designation.
Answer: True
The company was founded on May 7, 1946, as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. It was not originally named Sony Corporation.
The TR-55 transistor radio marked the debut product released under the 'Sony' brand name.
Answer: True
The TR-55 transistor radio, released in 1955, was indeed the first product to bear the 'Sony' brand name. However, the company's absolute first product was an electric rice cooker.
The current full legal designation for the parent company is Sony Corporation.
Answer: False
As of 2021, the parent company's legal name is Sony Group Corporation. Sony Corporation continues to exist as the entity responsible for the electronics business.
The official name change to Sony Corporation occurred in the year 1955.
Answer: False
The company officially changed its name to Sony Corporation in 1958, not 1955.
Identify the year in which the company officially transitioned its name to Sony Corporation.
Answer: 1958
The company officially changed its name to Sony Corporation in 1958, a significant step in establishing its global brand identity.
The etymology of the brand name 'Sony' originates from the confluence of which two linguistic elements?
Answer: The Latin word 'sonus' and the American slang term 'sonny.'
The name 'Sony' is a portmanteau derived from the Latin word 'sonus,' meaning sound, and the American slang term 'sonny,' used to refer to a young boy, reflecting the founders' aspirations.
The Type-G was Japan's first tape recorder, developed by Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo.
Answer: True
Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo (Sony) developed the Type-G, which is recognized as Japan's first tape recorder.
During the period when the iconic Walkman portable audio player was introduced, Akio Morita held the position of chairman.
Answer: True
Akio Morita, a co-founder of Sony, served as chairman and was instrumental in the development and introduction of landmark products, including the Walkman.
Triluminos Display technology represents Sony's proprietary innovation aimed at improving color reproduction in its television sets.
Answer: True
Triluminos Display is Sony's proprietary technology designed to enhance the color gamut and accuracy displayed on its televisions.
Sony introduced the MiniDisc format, positioning it as a successor to the traditional Compact Cassette.
Answer: True
Launched in 1992, the MiniDisc was Sony's proprietary digital audio format intended to offer advantages over the analog Compact Cassette.
The initial commercial application of quantum dot technology in Sony televisions occurred in 2004.
Answer: False
Sony first commercially utilized quantum dots in its televisions in 2013, integrating them into the backlight system.
Sony was the developer of the 5.25-inch floppy disk format.
Answer: False
While Sony was instrumental in developing the 3.5-inch floppy disk format, it did not develop the earlier 5.25-inch format.
Identify a landmark consumer electronic product that was introduced or co-developed during Akio Morita's tenure as chairman of Sony.
Answer: The Compact Disc
During Akio Morita's leadership, Sony was involved in the co-development and introduction of the Compact Disc (CD) format, alongside Philips.
Define Triluminos Display technology.
Answer: Sony's proprietary system for improving color reproduction in TVs.
Triluminos Display is Sony's proprietary technology specifically engineered to enhance the color reproduction capabilities of its television displays, offering a wider and more accurate color spectrum.
In what year did Sony first commercially implement quantum dot technology in its televisions?
Answer: 2013
Sony's first commercial use of quantum dots in televisions was in 2013, where they were incorporated into the backlight system.
Sony developed and promoted a proprietary digital audio format, often positioned as an alternative to the widely adopted MP3 standard. What was this format called?
Answer: ATRAC
ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) was Sony's proprietary digital audio compression format, notably used in its MiniDisc products.
In 2006, Sony made its entry into the digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera market through the acquisition of the camera division of which established manufacturer?
Answer: Konica Minolta
Sony acquired the camera business of Konica Minolta in 2006, which provided the foundation for its subsequent development and marketing of Alpha-series DSLR cameras.
The PlayStation video game console was launched in 1994.
Answer: True
Sony entered the video game market with the launch of the PlayStation console in 1994.
The PlayStation 2 holds the record as the best-selling video game console of all time.
Answer: True
The PlayStation 2 holds the record as the best-selling video game console of all time, having sold over 150 million units worldwide.
Sony acquired Columbia Pictures in 1988 and Columbia Records in 1989.
Answer: False
Sony acquired CBS Record Group (which became Sony Music Entertainment) in 1988 and Columbia Pictures Entertainment in 1989. The question incorrectly reverses the acquisition years for these entities.
Sony Pictures Entertainment was established following Sony's acquisition of Warner Bros. in 1989.
Answer: False
Sony Pictures Entertainment was established following Sony's acquisition of Columbia Pictures Entertainment in 1989, not Warner Bros.
In the late 1980s, Sony undertook a significant strategic expansion beyond its core electronics business. What was the nature of this expansion?
Answer: By acquiring Columbia Records and Columbia Pictures.
Sony significantly broadened its business scope in the late 1980s by acquiring major entertainment companies, specifically Columbia Records in 1988 and Columbia Pictures in 1989.
What marked Sony's significant entry into the video game industry during the 1990s?
Answer: The launch of the PlayStation console
Sony's major foray into the video game market occurred in the 1990s with the successful launch of the PlayStation console.
What was the ultimate outcome of Sony's collaboration with Nintendo to develop a CD-ROM add-on for the Super Famicom?
Answer: Nintendo broke the partnership, leading Sony to develop the PlayStation independently.
The partnership between Sony and Nintendo to create a CD-ROM Super Famicom add-on dissolved when Nintendo terminated the agreement. This event prompted Sony to pursue its own console project, which evolved into the PlayStation.
Which specific PlayStation console has achieved the distinction of being the best-selling video game console in history?
Answer: PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 holds the record as the best-selling video game console of all time, having sold over 150 million units worldwide.
The 'OtherOS' feature on the PlayStation 3 console was designed to serve what primary function?
Answer: To allow users to install alternative operating systems.
The 'OtherOS' feature enabled PlayStation 3 users to install alternative operating systems, such as Linux, thereby transforming the console into a general-purpose computer. Sony later removed this functionality.
The diversified business portfolio of Sony Group Corporation encompasses several key sectors, including electronics, imaging and sensing solutions, entertainment (film and music), and interactive entertainment (video games).
Answer: True
Sony Group Corporation operates across multiple strategic business units. These include the foundational electronics sector, advanced imaging and sensing technologies, broad entertainment offerings spanning motion pictures and music, and the highly successful video game division.
As of 2020, Sony held the largest global market share in image sensors.
Answer: True
By 2020, Sony held a dominant position as the world's largest manufacturer of image sensors, commanding a 55% share of the global market.
In Fiscal Year 2005, which of Sony's business segments generated the highest profit?
Answer: Sony Financial Group
The Sony Financial Group segment proved to be the most profitable for Sony in Fiscal Year 2005, reporting earnings of $1.7 billion.
Sony holds the position of the world's second-largest television manufacturer based on sales volume.
Answer: False
Sony is recognized as the world's third-largest television manufacturer by sales, not second.
Sony Music Entertainment ranks as the smallest among the 'big three' global record companies.
Answer: False
Contrary to this statement, Sony Music Entertainment is recognized as the largest of the 'big three' record companies globally.
As of 2020, what was Sony's global market position concerning image sensors?
Answer: Held a 55% share of the global market
By 2020, Sony held a dominant position in the image sensor market, commanding approximately 55% of the global share.
Globally, what is Sony's ranking among television manufacturers based on sales volume?
Answer: Third
Sony is recognized as the world's third-largest manufacturer of televisions, based on sales figures.
In Fiscal Year 2005, which of Sony's business segments generated the highest profit?
Answer: Sony Financial Group
The Sony Financial Group segment proved to be the most profitable for Sony in Fiscal Year 2005, reporting earnings of $1.7 billion.
By the year 2005, what percentage of the digital camera market did Sony command?
Answer: 9%
By 2005, Sony's market share in the digital camera sector had fallen to 9%, down from a previous high.
Sony's manufacturing operations for Raspberry Pi computers are conducted at its facility located in Wales.
Answer: True
Sony delegates the production of Raspberry Pi single-board computers to its dedicated technology center situated in Pencoed, Wales.
Sony has established a joint venture with Honda, named 'Afeela,' to engage in the development and production of electric vehicles.
Answer: True
The joint venture between Sony and Honda, focused on electric vehicles, is branded as 'Afeela,' representing a significant strategic move into the automotive sector.
The global headquarters of Sony Group Corporation is situated in Osaka, Japan.
Answer: False
Sony Group Corporation's headquarters are located in Tokyo, Japan, specifically at Sony City in Minato, not Osaka.
Sony's American depositary receipts (ADRs) are listed and traded on the London Stock Exchange.
Answer: False
Sony's American depositary receipts are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), not the London Stock Exchange.
In 2021, Sony Group Corporation implemented a significant structural reorganization. What was the primary nature of this change?
Answer: It transitioned into a holding company structure.
In 2021, Sony Group Corporation adopted a holding company structure, with the original Sony Corporation continuing as the operational entity for the electronics business.
Sony outsources the manufacturing of Raspberry Pi single-board computers to which specific facility?
Answer: Sony UK Technology Centre in Pencoed, Wales
Sony delegates the production of Raspberry Pi single-board computers to its dedicated technology center located in Pencoed, Wales.
Sony has strategically entered the electric vehicle market by forming a joint venture with which established automotive manufacturer?
Answer: Honda
Sony's venture into the electric vehicle sector is conducted in partnership with Honda, through their joint company Sony Honda Mobility.
The videotape format war between Sony's Betamax and JVC's VHS concluded with Betamax emerging as the dominant global standard.
Answer: False
Contrary to this assertion, JVC's VHS format ultimately gained broader market acceptance and became the dominant global standard for consumer videotape recording.
In the high-definition optical disc format war, Toshiba's HD DVD ultimately prevailed as the industry standard.
Answer: False
The high-definition optical disc format war concluded with Sony's Blu-ray format emerging as the victor over Toshiba's HD DVD.
What was the ultimate outcome of the videotape format war between Sony's Betamax and JVC's VHS?
Answer: VHS gained critical mass and became the worldwide standard.
The videotape format war concluded with JVC's VHS format achieving greater market penetration and becoming the dominant worldwide standard, rendering Betamax obsolete.
Against Toshiba's HD DVD, which optical disc format, championed by Sony, ultimately emerged as the dominant standard for high-definition media?
Answer: Blu-ray
Sony's Blu-ray format emerged victorious in the high-definition optical disc format war against Toshiba's HD DVD.
The 'Sony BMG copy protection scandal' of 2005 involved music CDs that compromised computer security.
Answer: True
The scandal arose because Sony BMG music CDs contained Extended Copy Protection software that installed malware on users' computers, creating significant security vulnerabilities.
In November 2011, Sony achieved the top position in Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics.
Answer: False
In the November 2011 ranking, Sony was placed ninth (jointly with Panasonic), not first, in Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics.
What significant cybersecurity incident affected Sony Pictures Entertainment in late 2014?
Answer: A large-scale hack attack by the group Guardians of Peace.
In late 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment experienced a major hack attack attributed to the group Guardians of Peace, which disrupted the company's operations and led to the leak of sensitive data.
The 'Sony BMG copy protection scandal' of 2005 primarily concerned which issue?
Answer: Sony BMG CDs installed malware on users' computers, creating security risks.
The scandal involved Sony BMG music CDs that contained Extended Copy Protection software, which installed malware on users' computers, thereby creating significant security vulnerabilities.
In December 2023, Sony announced the discontinuation of which application and its associated content from its gaming consoles, even for previously purchased items?
Answer: Discovery app
Sony announced in December 2023 that the Discovery app and its content would be removed from PlayStation consoles, affecting even content that users had previously purchased.
What was Sony's ranking in Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics in November 2011?
Answer: Ninth (jointly with Panasonic)
In November 2011, Sony was ranked ninth, sharing the position with Panasonic, in Greenpeace's assessment of electronics companies' environmental practices.
In 2000, Sony faced criticism regarding a leaked document titled 'NGO Strategy.' What was the primary subject matter of this document?
Answer: The company's surveillance of environmental activists.
The leaked 'NGO Strategy' document detailed Sony's methods for monitoring and countering the activities of environmental activists, leading to significant public criticism.
In 2007, Sony, Fuji, and Maxell were collectively fined by the European Commission for engaging in what illegal activity?
Answer: Colluding to fix prices for professional videotapes.
The European Commission fined Sony, Fuji, and Maxell for participating in a cartel that fixed prices for professional videotapes between 1999 and 2002.