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$50 Samsung Media Hub vouchers making Epic 4G and Galaxy Tab purchases a little sweeter
Presumably looking to build some brand awareness, Sprint and Samsung are apparently teaming up to offer new Epic 4G owners $50 vouchers redeemable toward "select" movie rentals in its Media Hub video-on-demand store -- which will actually buy quite a bit of content, when you think about it. The way it works is that you'll buy the phone and get texted a ten-digit promo code within a few days; once you redeem it for the first time, you'll have 60 days to use it up, otherwise the whole thing will expire on March 31st of next year. Word on the street is that the promotion is also headed for the Sprint version of the Galaxy Tab, which would give these guys a leg up for potential buyers viewing the Tab primarily as a media consumption device when you consider that the same product is coming to all four nationals (plus a regional). Of course, the vouchers are being billed as redeemable toward "select" content, so we'll have to see just how limited it is before calling this a great deal.
Verizon's new rebate form shows two Droid 2 Globals, Samsung Continuum, and more
Carrier rebate forms have a fun tendency to reveal unannounced hardware, since they cover several upcoming weeks when they're published -- and Verizon's latest for the month of November is a particularly juicy one. Here's what we've got: There are two SKUs listed for the Droid 2 Global, but only one for the Droid Pro, leading us to wonder whether it'll actually be the Global that's getting a cameraless version. Speaking of Motorola, the WX445 Citrus is in the mix for the first time. The Pre 2 is in the system with a $100 rebate. There are two new SKUs for the Bold 9650, possibly indicating the release of new versions with BlackBerry 6 pre-installed. The LG Cosmos Touch is in here, which we imagine will be a touchscreen successor to the Cosmos. There's a Samsung Zeal listed with a $50 rebate, but we're not sure what it is -- we know that Sammy has a number of Android phones in the pipe for Verizon, and we suppose this could be one of 'em (likely low-end considering it's not a $100 rebate). More interestingly, the Samsung Continuum is in here, suggesting that the November 8 event could be for this dual-screened (and Galaxy S-branded) beast. $100 rebate here. Of course, November is a time when retailers of all types and sizes bring out new products in time for the holidays, so we're not surprised to see the mother lode here. Who's excited?
Splinter Cell: Conviction CE drops $10 in price due to faulty USB drives
click to revenge-size Did you order the collector's edition of Splinter Cell: Conviction yet? A Ubisoft representative informed us late tonight that the official price of the CE will be dropping $10, from $79.99 to $69.99. The reasoning behind the price drop is the possibility of faulty USB drives, included with the package. The publisher recently noticed that some of the USB drives didn't work, and is offering a compensatory price drop before the game's official release on April 13th. None of the other content included in the CE has been affected, such as the comic book, art book, and bonus DLC. However, the bonus content included on the USB drive may be inaccessible in some copies. The bonuses, which include art and a behind the scenes video, will be distributed in a new manner, to be announced on the Ubisoft site after the game's launch. The Ubisoft representative wanted to emphasize that the game is not affected in any way. Good thing, too -- we don't think we could handle yet another delay. Considering most retailers do not require full payment of pre-orders, the new price should go into effect when you pick up your copy. Make sure you contact your retailer before the game's launch if your final price doesn't reflect this $10 discount.
HP Envy 15 shipping for $950 after rebate
We know that you really had your heart set on that 14-inch Envy, but until they finally arrive from Shangri-La, the "mystical, harmonious valley, gently guided from a lamasery, enclosed in the western end of the Kunlun Mountains" (the same place whose Apple Stores stock the iPhone nano, incidentally) might we offer you a cut-rate 15-inch model as a consolation prize? As brought to our attention by the savvy shoppers at I4U News, the company is currently offering a $450 rebate on your next HP Envy 15 Core i5 (2.26GHz) lappy. And what's more, your $950 sale price includes shipping -- and not on the back of a unicorn, either. Just head on over to the HP store (hit the coverage link), throw in a 640GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive (you have to do this part -- it'll bring your total up to $1,399 and make you eligible for the free shipping) and apply coupon code NBMY33241 at checkout.
Walmart handing out $20 gift card with Halo: Reach or Super Mario Galaxy 2
If you're planning to buy either Halo: Reach or Super Mario Galaxy 2 -- and it seems statistically likely that you'll want at least one of those -- then Walmart has a deal you may consider interesting. Right now, you can pre-order Halo or Galaxy and receive $20 in credit from the retailer. And, of course, since it's Walmart, the prices end in .96, saving you an additional three cents. We don't even know when Halo: Reach will be released beyond "fall," but we already have a pretty good idea of what the best deal for it will be. Super Mario Galaxy 2 will be available May 23. [Via GoNintendo]
Best Buy offering DROID pre-orders as of today, automates the mail-in rebate
In the best sort of tradition, Best Buy Mobile has gone for a repeat of its Palm Pre offering and is offering the $299 Motorola DROID at $199 thanks to the automation of a mail-in rebate you'd have to actually "mail in" if you were to purchase the handset straight from the carrier. Best Buy also seems to be the first place to offer pre-orders of the phone, so if you're worried about a sell out or just generally averse to affixing stamps to things, Best Buy appears to have you covered.
Microsoft kicks out $50 rebate for $299 Xbox 360 Elite
Didn't Microsoft's Xbox 360 Elite just drop to $299, like, three weeks ago? Yes, yes it did. Evidently that cut just wasn't deep enough for Microsoft (or else it had a change of heart following the release of Sony's $299 PS3 Slim), as the Redmond mega-corp has today lit up a new mail-in rebate program to bring the cost down to $249. Consoles purchased between today (sorry, Monday shoppers!) and October 5th are eligible, and it's anyone's guess as to what'll happen to the 360 lineup come October 6th. So, is Santa coming early for anyone this year, or what?[Via Major Nelson, thanks Logan]Read - Rebate pageRead - Microsoft release
Xbox 360 Elite for $249 (with rebate) until Oct. 5
Microsoft is offering a $50 mail-in rebate on all Xbox 360 Elite purchases starting today (September 22) and ending October 5, making the previously $400 console SKU a mere $249. The offer is valid only in the US, but purchasers can certainly use that cash-back toward component cables, a Wi-Fi adapter, HD transfer cord, HDMI cable or ... any one of the many missing peripherals that brings "flexibility to consumers." Shortcut: Rebate form [Via Major Nelson]
Palm Pre drops to $99 at LetsTalk online store, for a limited time
It's a limited time offer, and the handset is currently out of stock -- you'll have to wait a few days for delivery -- but cutesy online phone retailer LetsTalk is offering the Pre for a mere $99 after a $100 rebate and a $100 instant discount. This sort of price flexibility bodes well for the truly budget conscious eying this phone, though as demonstrated time and time again: you're saving a lot more in the long run with a cheap plan than a cheap phone, something that's been a lock since day one with the Pre. [Via SlashGear]
iBank provides yet another reason to dump Quicken for Mac
If there's one software company and product line that can raise the ire of even the most mellow Mac user, it's Intuit and the Quicken line of accounting software. While the company rightfully owns the market for home and business accounting software in the Windows world, their Mac products are beset with bugs, delays, and incompatibility issues.IGG Software has announced a "Why wait another day?" rebate program to persuade frustrated Quicken Mac 2007 owners to switch to iBank 3.5 (US$59.99). If you're a Canadian or U.S. owner who purchased iBank after July 10th, 2009, and have proof of ownership (installation disc or receipt) for either the Mac or Windows versions of Quicken or Microsoft Money, sending in a mail-in rebate form will get you a $20 incentive to switch to iBank.iBank 3.5 requires Leopard, and has a number of features that take advantage of Apple technologies. For example, you can take a picture of a receipt using your iSight camera and include that with a transaction record. MobileMe users get the advantage of automatic backups of their financial data, as well as a way to enter transactions "on the road" with the companion iBank Mobile iPhone app (US$4.99, purchased separately).All in all, the rebate is a great way to start saving money and begin working with an accounting application that was designed from the ground up to work on Macs.
Palm Pre now available from Sprint online, activity avoided
Hey, it's hot out there. While you could lather-up into a deep dish of epidural man-gravy by trucking on over to the nearest brick-and-mortar, why not kick back on-line with Sprint for that new Palm Pre purchase? Sure, you'll still have to mail-in the $100 rebate, but last we checked, licking a stamp won't break a sweat.
Best Buy Mobile to skip rebate, sell Palm Pre for $199.99 outright
Best Buy may not be launching the Pre exclusively, but it's probably the place to go if you're scouting one come June 6th. Why? Pretty simple, really -- you'll leave the joint with an extra Benjamin in your purse. You see, those who waltz into a Sprint store will be forced to pay $299.99 up front (with a two-year contract) and wait eons for a $100 mail-in rebate to return. Over at Best Buy Mobile, you'll pay $199.99 free and clear, sign your contract and proceed to send us loads of personal hands-on shots. Be honest -- which scenario sounds superior to you?[Via Brighthand]
Samsung X360 ultraportable dips below $800 mark
Samsung's ultrathin X360 didn't quite get the love of some of its competition out of the gate, and has already been preempted by the X460, but the X360 has always had a lovable price tag on its side. Not like this, though. The originally $1900-ish laptop is now going for $750 after rebate on Amazon.com, and that includes 3GB of RAM and Vista Biz to boot. Sure, the 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo SU9300 and Intel integrated graphics never did anyone any favors, but at least this should shut up your non-productive Atom-powered bowling buddies. Or you could wait a month for every other ultraportable on earth to best this pricetag and netbook specs to catch up.
Verizon rebate form further substantiates four new phones
We've had bits and pieces of this for days now, but it's finally starting to come together. Right in the midst of the year's craziest cellphone show, Verizon Wireless has outed its latest rebate form, which sheds some overly legitimate light on four presumably forthcoming handsets. Casio's Exilim C721, which we've already seen pictured, should arrive mighty soon alongside the LG Versa, Nokia 7205 Intrigue and Samsung's Smooth. Obviously, there's no definitive ship dates and prices listed, but considering that the offers are valid from February 15th through March 28th, we'd say your wild imagination can probably handle it from here.[Via phoneArena]
Paramount to offer $10 rebate for select Blu-ray Disc upgrades
Who knows, maybe this holiday season will be a decent time to stock up on Blu-ray Discs. Exactly one month after hearing that Warner would be lowering the BD price bar this winter on a slew of its titles, in comes word that Paramount Home Video is preparing a promotion of its own. Reportedly, the studio will be offering movie collectors a $10 rebate when they upgrade select DreamWorks and Paramount DVDs to Blu-ray Discs. Blu-ray copies of Transformers, The Godfather, Old School, Stardust, Sweeney Todd and Zodiac will be eligible for the rebate, with the purchase having to be made by December 31st, 2009. For all the fine print (there's not too much), the read link has you covered.[Via CDFreaks]
Wisconsin offers 25 percent tax break for game devs
Here's a little known fact about Wisconsin: Did you know that it's unlawful to run a bar in the state unless you have at least six fish hanging on the wall? And if this didn't sell you on the virtues of the Badger State, frankly get off our lawn. Unless, of course, you're a game developer with an interest in settling down in Wisconsin, as the state has announced that it now offers devs a 25 percent tax rebate just for calling it home.The move, which also includes businesses in the film and television industries, echoes similar initiatives by states such as Georgia and others to lure game developers across their borders. Wisconsin is already home to a handful of notable studios, including Marvel Ultimate Alliance dev Raven Software and Prey's Human Head, though it will be interesting to see if this sizable tax break, along with an additional 15 percent credit for "infrastructure development," will be enough to convince devs to put down roots in America's Dairyland.
Wal-Mart throws in $100 gift card with Blu-ray player purchase
Given that $100 at Wal-mart is essentially as good as cash, we can only imagine how titillating this offer may seem for Blu-ray holdouts. Announced today, the mega-retailer will be offering a $100 gift card with the purchase of any Blu-ray player from June 8th through 14th -- and yes, Sony's PlayStation 3 is included. In case this wasn't enough to maybe-possibly get the general public to actually pay attention to the format, Wally World will also sell "select" BD titles for $15 starting on the 8th. Since the format war ended earlier this year, we've seen report after report proclaiming that Blu-ray adoption just wasn't taking off here in America, but with a theoretical net price now close to $200 (albeit for a few days only), we can certainly see the masses taking notice at long last.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Select Blu-ray titles offering $10 back if you own DVD version
Another day, another random promotion in the format war. Granted, this particular one isn't exactly a jab against HD DVD, but it could sway some fencesitters to pick up a few Blu-ray titles they wouldn't otherwise add to their collection. Reportedly, the BD versions of The Rock, Crimson Tide and Con Air are all coming with $10 mail-in rebates that are valid if you can prove that you purchased the BD version and standard DVD version of the film. Interestingly, the promotion is good for this entire year, which leads us to believe this trio may just be the beginning of a much larger effort to entice consumers to bite on Blu. If any of you out there spot this offer on a title not listed above, be sure to let us know in comments.[Thanks, Roy A.]
Australian game industry accuses gov. of 'serious neglect'
Despite being a country with "different business dynamics," the Australian game industry wants equal treatment to the film industry. The Games Developers' Association of Australia (GDAA) said in a statement, "The videogames industry in Australia is experiencing a serious fiscal inequity and imbalance compared to the film and special effects industry sector ... The Government is guilty of serious neglect of one of the fastest growing industries in the creative and entertainment sector."Apparently the government gave a 40% rebate to film companies and the GDAA wants in on the action. Essentially the GDAA is fighting for the future as they envision around 20,000 people being employed by the game industry by 2010. We're all for a different country's sensibilities being mixed in with the glut of Japanese, American and the few British developed titles. Yes, we know there are American game development divisions in Australia, but that's not the same and we doubt that's what the GDAA is hoping for. We could use some original games brought to us by the country which blessed us with Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Muriel's Wedding, Strictly Ballroom and (must think of something butch) Mad Max.
Blu-ray fencesitters: five free movies sound good?
It's not like we haven't seen this card played already in the HD DVD camp, but now it's (almost) time for the Blu-ray ponderers to feel the grip of temptation (again). Starting on July 1st (just hold out a few more hours) and lasting through September 30th of this year, customers who purchase a qualifying Blu-ray player will be eligible to receive five flicks gratis through the mail. Among the options of players are Sony's BDP-S1, BDP-S300, or 60GB PlayStation 3, Panasonic's DMP-BD10K or DMP-BD10KA, Philips' BDP9000, Pioneer's BDP-94HD, or Samsung's BD-P1000 / BD-P1200. As for the free movies, you'll be able to choose five from a library of 21 titles, and while we can't really argue with the upside in this deal, be absolutely sure you don't mind receiving "notices and information from the Blu-ray Disc Association" before mailing in your claim.[Via Blu-ray]
