Sony (SNE) will add the ability to download and play movies as the latest service for its PS3 video console product. Several companies like Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL) began offering similar services some time ago.

According to The Wall Street Journal, "Sony said its service will let users rent or buy movies and rent television shows produced by major studios and production companies."

Once every large competitor in a field offers that same feature, it is almost certainly no longer an advantage to any of them. It becomes a commodity. Video downloads aren’t special any more.

Douglas A. McIntyre