Sony Names Tim Schaaff as Senior VP of Software Development

[Christopher]

From PRNewsWire:

    NEW YORK, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Corporation of America announced

today that Tim Schaaff has been appointed to the newly-created position of

Senior Vice President of Software Development, effective immediately.  Mr.

Schaaff reports to Keiji Kimura, EVP and Officer in Charge of Technology

Strategy of Sony Corporation.

  Mr. Schaaff joins Sony from Apple Computer, where he held various

positions including VP of Interactive Media. His many contributions at Apple

included managing the development and maintenance of Apple's QuickTime

platform. Prior to working at Apple, Mr. Schaaff worked on the development of

the Synclavier music synthesizer at New England Digital.

    "Software is obviously a critical element in creating champion Sony

products, and in increasing the value of Sony devices and services by ensuring

interoperability," said Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO of Sony

Corporation.  "Tim's expertise is a vital addition to the Sony team, and he

will be responsible for developing and deploying a unified, intuitive Sony

'look and feel' to user interfaces and functionality across our entire product

line."

    "This is a very exciting time to work for Sony," said Mr. Schaaff. "Under

the new management's initiative Sony is transforming itself by strengthening

horizontal coordination and collaboration, including software development. I

look forward to making contributions to increase the value of Sony's

products."

    "Having a consistent and scaleable software platform for our devices and

services is important in today's world," said Mr. Kimura. "Tim's goal is to

unify previously dispersed functions into a single organization that provides

important platform support for all of Sony."

    Mr. Schaaff will be based in San Jose and will have global responsibility

for a newly created team that will include technologists and business planners

who will work with Sony's business units, design centers, product planning and

engineering, as well as corporate centers for standards, intellectual property,

licensing and business development.

[Guest Stuge]

Really a Good move by Sony .

"Glimpse of Hope in total Darkness"

[neo-cortex]

Could this mean that they're going to try and make better software for sony devices?

[Guest Stuge]

Could this mean that they're going to try and make better software for sony devices?

←

Definately!That is the reason they choose a man who worked in Software company.So that he can help them to make their software better

[Zizone_]

Sony's hardwares were almost always on the top of my list. If there was a drawback, it was its software. From reading this news, it seems not only will Sony excel in hardware but software as well. This is very good move by Sony and I hope to see brighter future for Sony.

It also shows that Sony is closely paying attention to consumers' complains and trying to improve.

Edited December 31, 2005 by Zizone

[maxthrusters]

"...as well as corporate centers for standards, intellectual property,

licensing and business development."

Keep the entertainment unit lawyers out of the software design process would be my advice to Sony. Previous products have been botched due (in my opinion) to lawyer interference.

MiniDisc, Memory Stick Pro, and Clié. I'm so tired of seeing statements like "Does not support MagicGate" on products marked "MagicGate"...of Net MD not supporting SP (stereo) or uploads...granted it's gotten better over the years but then it shouldn't have been like this in the first place.

Anyway it's all been said before so I will shut up now.

[EZero]

So we won't be seeing the fruits of this announcement for years to come.

[Christopher]

Well, it depends. Sony is really adament about making Connect Player a force to be reckoned with in 2006. Obviously, as this bloke is from Apple, he will be allowed into light duties until he proves himself accordingly. I have no doubt that his contributions will change Sony's software forever, though -- hopefully for the best.

[EZero]

That's good to know.

[sh33p]

One wonders why he would jump ship in the first place... Big $$$ from Sony, or something else?

[sxc_]

Sony should just let others develop the software for them and make their devices compatible with Windows Media Player. They want a differentiated experience for their users, but they have had more than 5 years trying to do this and they still can't get it right. Save the money and let software experts make software and plough the money into better hardware.

[sh33p]

yeah i'd love to be able to use wmp ...

but i mean CONNECT already licenses various technologies from Windows Media... how are they still getting it wrong.

[tekdroid]

Mr. Schaaff joins Sony from Apple Computer...

iSonicStage should be a hit!

[Bijl]

Sounds like a dutch or maybe german name..