Sony Pictures and Music to Help Launch Incubator for Sony’s Sonieum Web3, Blockchain Push

Sony Pictures and Music to Help Launch Incubator for Sony’s Sonieum Web3, Blockchain Push

As a seasoned tech enthusiast with a knack for deciphering the future of digital landscapes, I find Sony’s foray into Web3 and blockchain technology nothing short of exhilarating. Having witnessed the evolution of the internet since its inception, I can attest to the potential that this decentralized vision holds.


Sony Corporation aims to leverage its Sony Pictures, Sony Music divisions, and a fresh global innovation hub in order to propel its advancement within the realm of blockchain technology and Web3.

“The term ‘Web3’ refers to an aspired future version of the internet, powered by blockchain technology, where control and management are collectively held by its users.”

Last week, Sony Block Solutions Labs, a collaboration between Sony Network Communications Labs’ previous division and Startale Labs (a Sony subsidiary focused on creating blockchain-based network infrastructure), announced that they have created the Soneium blockchain. This blockchain serves as the foundation for their ambition to speed up innovation in the Web3 sector.

“Sony stated that the Internet has significantly enhanced global convenience, but at the same time, it’s resulted in a massive centralization of information and online economics. Web3 offers a solution by enabling decentralization, thus dispersing this concentrated power. However, Web3 currently encounters two obstacles: its user base is primarily restricted to a small group, and many potential use cases have yet to gain widespread acceptance among the general public. The development of breakthrough applications that capture the masses’ interest is highly anticipated.”

On a Wednesday morning in Tokyo, equivalent to an early evening in Los Angeles, Sony announced the launch of their “Soneium Minato” public test network, as well as a comprehensive developer program named “Soneium Spark”. This initiative aims to stimulate ecosystem growth and expedite adoption by utilizing Sony’s extensive global influence and technical prowess across its entertainment, gaming, and consumer electronics divisions.

The two strategies will collaborate closely with developers. While the testnet provides a strong platform for creating and refining decentralized apps, Soneium Spark fuels project expansion by offering specialized guidance, advanced infrastructure resources, and strategic business alliances, as stated by the company.

Additionally, it emphasized collaborations with various Web3 companies to bolster the initiative, such as Astar Network (previously known as Plasm), a Web3-focused decentralized blockchain platform; Circle, a service and financial technology provider in the Web3 space; Optimism, a Web3 collective; Alchemy, a development platform for Web3 applications; The Graph, a service that simplifies blockchain data accessibility; and Chainlink, a platform offering services within the Web3 ecosystem.

Significantly, Sony’s affiliated entities, including its film and music branches, will join the incubation program. In a recent statement, Jun Watanabe, chairman of Sony Block Solution Labs, expressed, “We have launched our test network as an initial move to nurture a community of fans centered around creators that can bridge various values through Soneium.” He further added, “Let’s collaborate to generate new value in the Web3 realm, moving towards a future where Web3 services become integrated into people’s everyday lives.”

Some popular Web3 applications, such as Flickplay, draw users in by offering features like unlocking digital assets and creating AR-enhanced videos.

However, some skeptics contend that the Web3 sector has yet to demonstrate its practicality. Elon Musk, the CEO and executive chairman of X, famously stated in late 2021 that Web3 appears more like a marketing buzzword than a tangible reality at present. Critics have also voiced worries about the difficulty of preventing crime and hate speech in a decentralized internet, as well as the potential for a bubble in blockchain, cryptocurrency, and NFTs.

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2024-08-28 04:24