Sony to announce iTunes-alike streaming service

Sony is set to announce a streaming service to rival Apple's iTunes at a trade show in Germany.

The consumer giant wants to sell content to its own range of devices from MP3 players to TVs and PlayStation 3 consoles. Sony also has a toehold in the mobile phone market through its joint venture with Ericsson.

The service won't be available to consumers until early next year, the FT reports, as Sony ties up deals with content providers.

Sony is also a major content owner in its own right, with interests in film and music.

However, while Sony arguably introduced the world to mobile media, first through the tranny radio and then the Walkman, its sure touch left it some time ago. Right around the time Apple introduced the iPod, some would say.

The news might, or might not, overshadow Apple's imminent announcement due later today. ®