Sony might be able to exploit one of Apple iTunes’ weaknesses and that stands in video downloads. The company is getting ready to launch a challenge to Apple’s video service according to The Wall Street Journal. The Journal pointed out that Sony will be combining the PlayStation Portable, the PlayStation 3 and the Bravia HDTVs to offer some sort of download service.

This is not the first time that Sony tried to dethrone the iTunes giant. Just last week the company closed Connect, an online music service that failed due to software problems. The PlayStation Portable could have won over the mobile video market with its launch in 2005 but Sony made a mistake then by hanging on to digital rights management and proprietary video discs for too long. The opportunity that presented itself then is long gone and the need to find a new approach is crucial according to James McQuivey, analyst with Forrester Research.

Pessimists might ignore this piece of news but there is one thing that needs to be kept in one’s mind: Sony does have the hardware tools it needs to start an offensive against Apple iTunes. Weather or not it will be successful is yet to be seen.