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Netflix CEO looking into streaming-only option for US 'over the coming months'
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings may be stumbling over a publicity misstep or two since launching in Canada just yesterday, but he sure knows the right mea culpa to give. In a blog post entitled "Apologies" -- which, amusingly enough, is published just after "We Blew It" -- the King of the Red Envelope says, "we are looking at adding a streaming-only option for the USA over the coming months." No prices are discussed, but our educated guess would place it parallel to Canada's streaming-only plan, $7.99 monthly. Would we be willing to drop all physical media in exchange for at least one extra dollar per month? Now that's a good question.
Chances of Netflix on Nintendo 'excellent,' says Netflix CEO
In case you missed it last night in the All Things D event -- and frankly, given the length and general jejune of it, we wouldn't blame you -- Reed Hastings of Netflix took the stage and sat down with Peter Kafka. Here's the takeaway: when Kafka asked him the chance of "getting on Nintendo," Hastings replied, "our chances are excellent." It's not much, but after at least a year of hints and teasers, it's by far the best confirmation we've got. Of course, he didn't say which system, but let's be honest... the only logical choice is DS, right?
Netflix CEO wants streaming service on all consoles
While Microsoft and Netflix underlings tiptoe around the issue of the movie-rental company's streaming service for other game consoles -- currently "exclusive" to Xbox 360 -- Netflix CEO Reed Hastings tells Reuters he wants the feature on every console. The executive notes that "currently [Netflix's] Xbox deal is exclusive and [Netflix hasn't] characterized it more than that," leaving the door at least slightly ajar for other consoles and media devices to enter into Netflix streaming deals of their own. That's the big question: For how long is the exclusivity agreement between Netflix and Microsoft, and is it renewable? Answering that question -- believe us, we've tried -- would tell us when to expect a flood of Netflix-streaming systems. [Via Edge]
PS3 price drops spotted in Europe, US cut a possibility [update: Hastings responds]
Update: Hastings has since issued a cease & desist letter to Joystiq, requesting we remove the image. According to Hastings' director of merchandising, the ad is "blatantly false," although we have good reason to believe otherwise. SCEA's Patrick Seybold also offered a rare comment, saying the ad "is fake." Thankfully, he did not do this to us.While we're respecting the request of Hastings, it's clear that a significant change is happening to Sony's business strategy regarding the PS3. As seen above, many European retailers are already cutting the price of the PS3 [Image credit: niels]. Reports from Engadget and Engadget Spanish also confirm cuts in multiple stores in Europe. Lending credibility to the image we received, the ad in question was sent to Joystiq before SCEA's announcement yesterday of the Greatest Hits version of Uncharted, though precisely that was part of the Hastings ad. Coupled with the C&D and Europe's retail actions lead us to believe a price drop is happening. We've included the original post (sans image) after the break.
Trade in your old ports for a new port
If you're lucky enough to have a Hastings store nearby, the entertainment retailer is offering to exchange your moth-eaten copies of Super Paper Mario or The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for a waggle-fied edition of Resident Evil 4. They'll also accept Rainbow Six Vegas (360) and God of War II (PS2), but not without scowling at you first.According to the rest of Hastings's weekly ad, there's a buy-1-get-2nd-for-free sale on body jewelry, so be on the look out for that deal too! Put away the other two RE4 games you've already bought for previous platforms, throw on a shirt that shows off your belly-button-ringed midriff, and check past the post break for the full flyer.
