The Sony Optiarc website is now showing that all products are end of life. We reported last summer that Sony planned to pull the plug on Optiarc PC drives on the 31st of March this year. The websites of Sony Optiarc seems to be a bit early and already show banners that say that the business of Sony Optiarc has been terminated.
The company has kept product information and support pages online for future reference but these banners mark the end of an era. Different banners are shown on the US, EU and international websites.
Optiarc will not be completely closed down, the company will continue to produce optical pick up heads for consumer electronic products such as BD and DVD players and recorders. The company decided to withdraw from the PC optical storage market because of lower demand and increased competition. Optiarc started as a joint venture between Sony and NEC, at the end Sony owned 100% of the shares.
