Sonys new liquid crystal display televisions will have an electronic money function to make it easier for users to pay to watch movies and programmes, the company said on Monday. Sonys Bravia W5 and F5 series will be equipped with electronic money card readers for pay-per-viewing via an Internet link, the technology giant said.
Electronic money is already widely used in Japan, such as through credits held in mobile telephone "wallets" or on top-up commuter passes. "With the new function of electronic money, pay-per-view programmes can be more user-friendly than before when credit card numbers were entered by pushing the keys of the remote control," a Sony spokesman said.