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Next3D CEO David Cole on his first PalmPilot, gadget hell and the Oculus Rift
Every week, a new and interesting human being tackles our decidedly geeky take on the Proustian Q&A. This is the Engadget Questionnaire. In the latest installment of our weekly collection of queries, Next3D CEO David Cole -- also know as the gentleman making 3D TV and movies for the Oculus Rift -- chats up punitive email measures and iPhone dependence. Join us for the full gamut of responses residing on the other side of the break.
Gamasutra asks: "Is there anything wrong with the PSP?"
We'd like to think that there's nothing wrong with our beloved handheld. However, the truth is that many people, misinformed or not, do not believe in Sony's platform. Gamasutra asked a number of industry professionals about what they think is wrong about PSP, if there is anything at all. David Cole from DFC Intelligence points out that the price drop is a good step, but that's not enough. "I think a new form factor is needed more than a price cut." Ed Barton from Screen Digest is frustrated at the constant comparisons to Nintendo DS: "We forecast that the global installed base of PSP users will be around 29 million at the end of 2007, generating $1.9 billion in software sales. Lifetime software sales at the end of 2007 will be around $4.5 billion. If this is 'failing,' then failure just got a huge brand makeover." Mike Wolf from ABI Research thinks that anti-Sony fanboyism runs wild due to high expectations placed on Sony ... due to their ambitious claims. "I believe the device's perceived 'failure' by some is due to the device struggling to live up to Sony's own marketing of the product, much like what the PS3 is going through today." I completely agree with many of the things these professionals have to say about PSP. It's true that PSP is certainly not a failure, but it could've been far more successful as well. Sony has made a ton of mistakes this life cycle, but as they've been recently showing, things can easily change with a refocused effort.
DFC Intelligence outlines next-generation views
Sure, we've seen the countless polls and message board flamethreads that are the next-generation console wars. Amidst all the fanboy dreck, however, it's nice to know that industry experts can offer their opinions in a logical fashion, with solid facts to back up their conjectures. Such a report can be found here, written by DFC Intelligence's David Cole. It shares some interesting views on the current market views regarding the Playstation 3 (especially from an international perspective), and describes the possibilities of shift in console market share. Certainly a read for the more business-minded gamer, but a decent one nevertheless.
