Sony, Apple to launch new online entertainment services?

Sony is reported to launch an online music and video entertainment service at IFA, while Apple's holding a music-themed event to flagoff new iPods, Apple TV, and TV show rentals.

Sony's taking an aim at Apple's iTunes empire by planning to launch its music and video service at this year's IFA Conference, held between September 3-8 in Berlin later this week.

After shutting down its Connect music service in 2007, Sony's fresh attempt to challenge Apple iTunes' online music and entertainment supremacy will reportedly include a subscription-based service made available through its PlayStation gaming consoles (PS3 Slim 250GB, for eg). Sony might eventually allow its online entertainment service to Sony laptops, Bravia TVs, Blu-ray players, and mobile phones, according to Financial Times.

Apple, on the other hand, is trying to consolidate its position in the online entertainment (music and video) space. Apple is expected to launch a new iPod Touch rumored to have a forward and rear-facing camera.

Apple's also lining up a wireless iTunes streaming and syncing feature, not to mention a 7-inch iPad -- smaller version of the original Apple iPad. Apple's also expected to announce a revamped Apple TV -- called iTV -- with 16GB of flash storage and ability to stream iTunes to iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch over Wi-Fi. Last but not least, Apple's also believed to announce a cheaper 99-cent ($0.99) TV show rentals on iTunes against the existing $1.99 price per show purchase.

Watch Apple's Sept. 1 event on Apple's website through a live webstream later tonight. You, however, need a Mac running Safari and Snow Leopard or an iOS device running iOS 3.0 update.