Sony to launch video-sharing network Friday

If Microsoft can't battle Google, somebody has to step up right?  And in this corner, weighing in at a svelte $64 billion in annual sales - S O N Y !!!
"Sony Corp. said on Thursday it will launch a video-sharing site in Japan on Friday, marking the electronics and entertainment firm's first step towards challenging Google Inc.'s YouTube service.

News Corp. and NBC Universal said last month they would also launch a free online video site this year, as traditional media firms scramble to keep up with video sharing.

Sony also hopes to introduce its service, called eyeVio, abroad, but said it first wanted to gauge the reception at home before drawing up an overseas launch schedule.

"This is part of Sony's quiet software revolution," CEO Howard Stringer said at a news conference."

Let's get ready to rumble...