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Sony and TCL eye joint future for BRAVIA TVs

Sony, TCL explore TV venture

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Sony and TCL have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore a strategic partnership in home entertainment. The move could reshape how Sony TVs and audio products are developed, built, and sold worldwide.

Under the agreement, Sony Corporation and TCL Electronics Holdings Limited will discuss forming a joint venture that would take over Sony’s home entertainment business. TCL would hold a 51% stake, while Sony would retain 49%.

The two companies aim to finalize binding agreements by the end of March 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. If completed, the new company is expected to begin operations in April 2027.

What the joint venture would handle

The proposed joint venture would operate globally and manage the entire home entertainment pipeline. This includes product planning, design, manufacturing, sales, logistics, and customer service.

Products under the venture would cover televisions and home audio equipment. Sony and TCL say these products are expected to continue carrying the globally recognized Sony and BRAVIA names.

The partnership is designed to combine Sony’s strengths in picture and audio quality, brand value, and operational expertise with TCL’s display technology, manufacturing scale, and vertically integrated supply chain.

Why Sony and TCL are teaming up

The companies point to continued growth in the large-screen TV market. Viewing habits are shifting, driven by streaming platforms, smarter TV features, and demand for higher resolution and larger displays.

Sony brings decades of imaging and sound expertise. TCL contributes cost efficiency, advanced panel technology, and global manufacturing reach. Together, the companies believe they can deliver more competitive products while improving operational efficiency.

Sony President and CEO Kimio Maki said the partnership aims to create new customer value through more compelling audio and visual experiences. TCL Chairperson DU Juan described the move as a way to elevate brand value, scale operations, and optimize the supply chain.

What this could mean for consumers

If the joint venture moves forward, consumers can expect future Sony-branded TVs and audio products to benefit from TCL’s display innovations and production scale, while retaining Sony’s image processing, sound tuning, and overall design philosophy.

Both companies say they will continue to support the venture’s long-term growth as the home entertainment market evolves.

Accessories

Apple is reportedly working on its own gaming controllers

It might launch under the Beats brand.

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Last week, the iPhone Duo changed how you look at the ubiquitous smartphone. Foldables are in, and Apple is right there with it. But the company isn’t stopping with the foldable segment. Apple is reportedly working on its own branded game controllers.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has been working on a controller since last year. Further, a piece of code linked to macOS 27.4, spotted by MacRumors, includes references to two unknown gaming controllers.

Because Apple just concluded its huge event this month, it will likely be a while before we see confirmation of this controller. And it could be anything. Of course, because the Duo is fresh on our minds, the easiest answer is a mobile controller than can maximize the foldable’s ability to stand by itself. It could also use Apple’s larger screens like the iPad, the MacBook, or the Mac. Some even speculate that this could be Apple’s stronger push into the gaming market.

Outside of the actual hardware, the reports are also claiming that the controller will arrive by way of Beats, rather than from Apple itself. At first, the branding comes off as a surprise, but then again, Beats hasn’t really evolved past an audio brand in a long, long time. Is it time to revitalize Beats as something more than just a peddler of headphones?

SEE ALSO: First Look: Apple iPhone Duo

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Gaming

Xbox saves Kojima’s PHYSINT after PlayStation drops support

PlayStation says the separation was mutual, but Kojima hints otherwise.

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Things aren’t going well in the PlayStation camp. After two months of frankly questionable decisions, the company adds another to the pile by dropping support for Hideo Kojima’s PHYSINT.

For a while now, Kojima and PlayStation were in a very productive relationship with the Death Stranding duology, a critically acclaimed collection of titles for the platform. When things looked like they were going well, Kojima announced PHYSINT, an espionage-themed game which reminded fans way too much of Metal Gear Solid.

If you were investing in a PlayStation 5 to play Kojima’s latest thriller, you might want to move your chips elsewhere now. PlayStation has just dropped support for the espionage game, meaning PHYSINT will no longer be a first-party title for the platform.

Though PlayStation claims that the decision came after “careful consideration,” Kojima himself has said that the move was “unexpected,” going against PlayStation’s assurance of a mutual separation.

Very quickly, Xbox has announced that their platform will support PHYSINT instead. It’s a big get for the competing brand because Xbox Game Studios is already supporting OD, Kojima’s other upcoming horror project starring Sophia Lillis.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to say more. As is tradition, Kojima will not explain much more about his upcoming titles. In fact, OD’s trailer barely says anything. One thing’s for sure, though: we’re all in for quite a ride.

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Entertainment

PH to celebrate 1st ever National Cinema Day; movies start at less than $2

Watch a movie on September 12 for a fraction of the cost

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The Philippines will be celebrating its first ever National Cinema Day on September 12. On this day, movie tickets will go for as low as PhP 100 (US$ 1.60) at regular 2D cinemas.

The campaign aims to make moviegoing more accessible to audiences. This includes families, friends, students, and cinephiles in general.

Such initiative has been a staple in other countries, like the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and more. The same concept applies, with movie tickets going on sale for a lot less.

What’s great about the celebration is that all movies scheduled for exhibition on September 12, whether local or international, shall get the special admission price.

Advanced tickets sales have already begun. Customers can purchase through participating box offices, official websites, mobile apps, and authorized platforms.

Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to theater capacity. Prices vary for other viewing formats like Director’s Club or IMAX, for instance.

The campaign is organized by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP), along with industry and government partners.

The initiative is supported by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), and the Metro Manila Film Festival through the MMDA.

Participating cinemas include Ayala Malls Cinemas, SM Cinemas, Robinsons Movieworld, CityMall Cinema, Megaworld Cinemas, and more.

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