New Sony Entertainment Network (SEN) to replace Playstation Network (PSN)

On the 8th Feb 2012 the Playstation Network (PSN) will be renamed to Sony Entertainment Network (SEN). All accounts will be preserved and apart from minor TC changes, it's just a name change.

A recent email sent to all PS3 users read:

On February 8, 2012, your "PlayStation Network account" will be renamed a "Sony Entertainment Network account" or a "SEN account" in conjunction with Sony Computer Entertainment's PlayStation 3 system software and PlayStation Vita system software updates. (Note, this change will not be applied to the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system at this time.)

The renaming of PSN to SEN combines all of Sony's services and products under one umbrella. No longer will the PSN be tied to Playstation brands such as PSP, PS3 and Vita. Future devices designed by Sony such as phones, tablets and TV's will in all probability use the new umbrella network. It's no longer just about playing games..

Sony even markets the SEN as the place to "Get your favourite music, movies, games, and more. Anytime, anywhere, on all of your favourite devices". Until now, SEN consisted of Music Unlimited, Videos Unlimited and the Playstation Network.

Others have seen this name change as a way to distract from the dismal year Sony had in 2011. Thousands of PSN accounts hacked, if not millions. The full extent of the hack was never published but the amount of downtime required to add security to the PSN was a sign of a big problem. Even with its loyal fan base, the PSN name was tarnished and it was going to take a while for gamers to forgive Sony for its mistakes.

Is this name change just an easy way to rebrand the PSN?