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Sony to begin manufacturing PlayStation 3 units in Brazil
Sony has announced plans to build PlayStation 3 systems locally in Brazil. The consoles will be manufactured in Manaus by Sony Brasil Ltda., with the 250 GB version costing 1,099 Reals. Major upcoming games The Last of Us and Grand Theft Auto 5 are getting localized releases in Brazilian Portuguese as well. A PlayStation 3 bundle featuring God of War: Ascension will hit stores in the region as part of the "Viva Em Estado Play" ("Living in a State of Play") marketing program in South America. Sony says it's committed to investing in the local gaming development industry in Brazil, and Sony President Andrew House claims the manufacturing setup will "infuse the Brazilian economy with approximately $300 million over the next 12 months." As one more gesture of goodwill, the first ten consoles manufactured in Brazil will be given away to local gamers.
Sony starts building PS3s in Brazil, The Last of Us and GTA V to get localized releases
Even as we await next generation consoles, Sony is extending the battlefield for the current generation by focusing on Brazil. In an event today it announced that for the first time it will be building PlayStation 3s locally in Manaus, a move executives stated will inject $300 million into the local economy and drive "significant" price reductions in the region. Brazilian gamers can also expect more game release support, with news that The Last of Us will have a localized version available (you can see a snippet of it in the video embedded after the break) simultaneous with the worldwide launch, and GTA V will be the first game in the series to include Brazilian Portuguese localization. That's a major shift for the area, especially considering the PlayStation 2 (yes, that's a 2) only officially launched in Brazil in 2009. As the company extends its "Viva Em Estado Play" marketing campaign, it will also offer a 250GB PS3 bundled with God of War: Ascension for R$1,099, and is running a contest to win the first Brazilian-built PS3.
Amazon's Appstore prepares for international availability in 'nearly 200 countries'
Amazon has big plans for its incredibly successful (we guess?) Appstore on Android, which include expansion to "nearly 200 countries," -- after rolling out in Europe and Japan -- but it's asking for developers to get on board first. So that its store shelves aren't empty when they open up in places like Brazil, Canada and Papua New Guinea, it's securing app submissions and making sure devs opt-in to international distribution. Peter Sleeman, Director of P2 Games, is quoted in the press release claiming his company saw 4-5x sales of a recent app on Kindle Fire compared to Google Play. That feat is echoed by several others quoted, citing Amazon's in-app purchasing system and features like GameCircle. There's no word whether this global rollout will be followed by wider distribution of its other media services and branded hardware, but given the predictable path it's followed so far that seems like a safe bet.
Apple faces challenges in China and Brazil
While Apple's success in established markets around the world is taken for granted, the company is having a harder time gaining a solid foothold in two large and growing smartphone markets -- China and Brazil. As GigaOM's Erica Ogg notes in a recent post, a Chinese manufacturer and Brazilian mobile carrier are demonstrating that Apple may need to tweak its model for success in emerging markets. In China, handset maker Xiaomi is following the Apple plan for success quite well. It designs the hardware, uses NVIDIA mobile chipsets and Samsung memory, and lets Foxconn assemble the hardware. Also like Apple, the company waits about a year between introducing new models. Xiaomi sold 7.2 million smartphones in China in 2012 and has plans to sell double that amount in 2013. By building its smartphone on Android, designing all of the major apps in-house and doing no marketing except on "China's Twitter" Sina Weibo, Xiaomi can charge much less for a smartphone with an excellent user experience. In a market where 70 percent of all smartphones are unlocked and unsubsidized, that lower initial price makes a big difference to users. Brazil is a totally different matter. Android smartphones and iPhones only make up about 20 percent of the market, since most are manufactured overseas and various taxes make an iPhone close to 30 times more expensive in Brazil than in the US. Fabricio Bloiso Rocha, CEO of Brazilian carrier Movile, thinks that the iPhone has "the best UX" and is the "best product overall." However, he also mentioned that "for Latin America, to invest there, you have to go Android because price is very important." That's an important factor for Apple to consider when thinking about whether or not to produce a lower-priced iPhone for emerging markets.
Apple Brazil cuts price on iPhone 4, iPhone 4S
Brazilian iPhone fans have something to cheer about today. The prices for both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S have been reduced to a much more reasonable level than before, although they're still much more expensive than the carrier-subsidized phones we're used to here in North America. An 8 GB iPhone 4 used to pull R$1,499 (US$743) out of a Brazilian's cartiera (wallet), and now makes a smaller dent at R$1,099 ($544). If you want a 16 GB iPhone 4S, that's now available for only R$1,699 ($840), a significant discount over the previous price of R$1,999 ($991). Brazilian newspaper O Globo says that those willing to pay in full in person or by phone at an Apple dealer can probably get another 10 percent discount off of these already much lower prices.
Apple Brazil makes substantial price cuts on iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S
It might not have the trademark, but that hasn't stopped Apple shaving the cost of its entry-level iPhone 4 and 4S' to something closer to its price tag in North America. The 16GB iPhone 4S is now R$1,699 ($840), down from R$1,999, while the 8GB flavor of the iPhone 4 now rings in at R$1,099 ($544), reduced from R$1,499. According to O Globo, if you're willing to pay upfront in full (and by phone) you can even snatch an extra 10 percent off both. Otherwise, Brazilians will need to visit the online store to lay claim to the heavily-discounted handsets.
Google Art Project adds nearly 2,000 works, from street art to prized photos
The Google Art Project could be considered a safeguard for culture when it's preserving work that's not just difficult to see, but may disappear at the drop of a hat. Witness Google's latest addition of 30 partners, and almost 2,000 pieces of art, as proof. The collection includes 100-plus examples of high-profile graffiti and street art from Sao Paulo, some of which aren't guaranteed to survive unscathed; there's also 300-plus photos from Spain's Fundacion MAPFRE and a famous Hungarian poem whose original copy is usually too fragile to show. Although the digital expansion won't replace booking a flight to visit the artwork first-hand, it may prevent some urban masterpieces from fading into obscurity.
Motorola outs RAZR D1, D3 in Brazil: dual-SIM support, Jelly Bean and more
Folks around the interweb are still wondering what a certain unidentified Motorola smartphone could be, but while we wait for that mystery to unfold, the company's taken the time to announce a pair of new Android handsets in Brazil. The RAZR D1 and D3 clearly nab a design cue from their M cousin, however both are packing smaller 3.5- and 4-inch displays, respectively. Screen size aside, the better-specced of the two, the D3, boasts an undisclosed 1.2GHz, dual-core CPU alongside 1GB of RAM and a 2,000mAh battery, while the entry-level D1 is loaded with a 1GHz CPU, the same amount of RAM and a slightly less powerful 1,785mAh cell -- plus, each one offers dual-SIM features and runs a rather fresh version of Google's OS, aka Jelly Bean. Per Motorola Mobility, Brazilians can now snag a D1 beginning at R$ 549 (about $280) for the dual-SIM model; the D3, on the other hand, is expected to hit shelves "in several weeks" with a starting tag of R$ 799.%Gallery-181487%
Daily Update for March 11, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Apple, IGB 'close to settlement' on Brazilian 'iPhone' trademark lawsuit
Apple is close to reaching a settlement for the "iPhone" trademark in Brazil, according to Forbes. The company has been locked in a lawsuit with Brazilian company IGB Electronica, which was granted the Brazilian iPhone trademark in 2007. IGB originally applied for the iPhone trademark in 2000. Since 2007, it has been selling a smartphone by the name of "Iphone" under its G-Gradiente brand. The phone runs the Android OS. Forbes notes that Brazil's largest newspaper, Folha de São Paulo, reported on Saturday that the two companies have entered into a "Pacific agreement," which will see lawsuits between them temporarily halted. Forbes speculates that Apple will pay millions of dollars for the exclusive rights to the iPhone trademark in Brazil, just like it has in other countries around the world.
Apple loses iPhone trademark in Brazil
The BBC is saying that Apple has lost the trademark for "iPhone" in Brazil, to a company that makes an Android-powered phone, of all things. Gradiente Eletronica registered the name "iPhone" in that country back in 2000, years before Apple tried to do the same thing, and so the ruling Institute of Industrial Property there has decided that Gradiente Eletronica owns the trademark, not Apple. However, things aren't as plain and simple as that. Gradiente Eletronica hadn't released a product using the iPhone name until December of 2012. And Apple still has the rights to use the name iPhone on anything outside of the smartphone realm, including on clothing, in software and almost anywhere else. Apple is reportedly appealing the decision, so we should hear more about this one in the future. What usually happens in this case is that the company from Cupertino ends up paying for the name in a settlement, and indeed, the chairman of Gradiente Eletronica has said that the company is "open to a dialogue for anything, anytime." But Apple likely wants to get out of this without paying up, especially if it has a legitimate right to the name itself. [via Engadget]
Apple loses iPhone trademark in Brazil, to a company that makes Android phones
Ouch. We had an inkling this might happen, but now it's official: the Brazilian authorities have just ruled in favor of a small handset manufacturer called Gradiente Eletronica in its trademark tussle with Apple. Gradiente registered the name "iphone" in 2000, seven years before Cupertino set up shop in that country, so now it has the right to continue using the word on its devices -- including the Android-powered iphone Neo One. The BBC reports that Apple is likely to appeal the decision, but if that fails there's always, ahem, the other option.
Brazil's new 'iphone' isn't what you think
The next time you're in Rio, be on the lookout for the iphone. Now, before you start saying "hey TUAW, you forgot to capitalize the P!" you should know that this isn't the Apple smartphone we're talking about. Nope, this is the "iphone Neo One" from Brazilian outfit Gradiente. Or, as we like to call it, the "pending litigation." Selling for 599 Brazilian Real (about $287), the iphone Neo One is an Android handset (2.3.4 Gingerbread, of all things) with a feature set straight out of 2007, including a 320 x 480 resolution display and a 700 MHz CPU. Hey, at least it has user-expandable storage! Gradiente somehow managed to score the "iphone" trademark in Brazil in 2008 despite the fact that Apple began selling the real McCoy there a year earlier. For its sake, we hope the company is able to move enough units to cover its legal costs before 1 Infinite Loop's lawyers come a-knocking.
Motorola's retreat continues, sells factories in China and Brazil to Flextronics for $75 million
Mere hours after Motorola announced that it was pulling out of South Korea, it's revealed a deal to sell its Chinese and Brazilian operations to Flextronics for $75 million. We won't blame you if you've not heard of the manufacturer, which has previously built XBox and Zune units for Microsoft as well as Kodak's digital cameras. While the stack of cash will go straight to plug the hole in Motorola's coffers, Flextronics has also bought first dibs on future smartphone production, something that CEO Mike McNamara says could be worth "several billions" in revenue down the line -- hopefully the next time Larry utters the words "Motorola" and "Nexus" in the same sentence. Update: Motorola Mobility exec Frank Meng says that the 7,000 workers at the firm's Tianjin, China operation won't lose their jobs during the hand-off to Flextronics. In addition, a Motorola spokesperson told The Next Web that the company plans on transferring "all in-scope employees and contractors" to Flextronics. How's that for job security?
Amazon and Google shower content love on Brazil
Through the magic of pure coincidence (or not), Amazon and Google have spontaneously started offering e-books in the land of Brazil. In addition, Amazon has also introduced its Kindle e-reader to the region (available over "the next few weeks") for the equivalent of $145. The Next Web notes that Amazon's move comes after it successfully gained control of the desired domain name from a local company, and also after it poached Apple's Brazilian director to head its own operations there. Meanwhile, Mountain View's Brazilian incursion lacks political shenanigans, but adds movie rentals and purchases. If you're in the area, head to the source links to bookmark something unputdownable. [Thanks, Felipe]
Apple confirms first Brazilian store opening; also hiring in Istanbul
Apple's ambitious plans to open more retail stores around the world are in full gear. The company emailed a few Brazilian tech news sites with confirmation that the company will be opening a store in Rio de Janeiro soon, the first Apple Store in Brazil. Rio will also be hosting crowds in the next few years both for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic games, making an Apple Store a popular draw for visitors from around the world. Brazil isn't the only new country that's joining the Apple fold -- Istanbul, Turkey will soon be home to an Apple Store as well. Apple's financial disclosures indicated that the company plans to open up to 35 new stores during the next 12 months, with 75 percent of the new construction occurring outside of the United States. [via 9to5Mac]
Apple to launch first retail stores in Turkey and Brazil, job postings suggests
On its last financial call Apple said it is planning to open 30-35 new retail stores in the next 12 months, with 75 percent of those stores located outside of the United States. Now recent job listings show that at least two of the new stores will be located in Brazil and Turkey -- countries which don't have any official Apple Stores. The job listings were first noted by Brazilian website MacMagazine and later confirmed by The Next Web. Among the job listings are positions for Business Managers, Geniuses, Inventory Specialists and Store Leaders. The Next Web has also confirmed that at least one of the stores will be opening in Rio de Janeiro and the other in Istanbul. However, TNW points out that a position for a Market Leader in each country suggests that more stores could follow. Brazil, particularly, is an important emerging market and seen as one Apple needs to go after to continue to increase its global share. Other important emerging markets are Russian, India and China. [Image via The Next Web]
Steam now accepts Brazilian national currency via Boleto
Steam users in Brazil can now pay with the national currency of reais, with Boleto. Boleto is a payment service regulated by the Brazilian Federation of Banks. To purchase games on Steam with reais, Brazilian users will select "Boleto" as their payment and receive a voucher via email, which they must then take to the bank to fund the transaction. Games will remain in pending until this process is complete.Steam plans to add more payment methods in Brazil, including "deposits, account transfers, PagSeguro and local credit cards."This move harkens back to when Steam added Russian rubles; soon after activating that currency, Valve and Xsolla established cash kiosks in Russia, where users can add cash directly to their Steam accounts.
Rara.com expands to iOS, Windows 8 and more countries
Rara.com has been mighty busy since its luddite-friendly music streaming service launched at the end of last year, and now it's reporting the outcome of those 10 months of toil. In addition to an improved web experience and new Android widget, an AirPlay-compatible app for iOS is now available, with software for Windows 8 arriving alongside its launch. Rara's 18 million tracks haven't only invaded other platforms, but other countries, too -- residents of Brazil, Mexico, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Africa and Portugal have joined the party, bringing the total number of compatible countries to 27. Lenovo is also getting a piece of the action, as a worldwide agreement means Rara software will now come pre-installed on the manufacturer's Android tablets and Windows 8 gear. Want to hear more about Rara's recent accomplishments? Then head for the PR after the break.
iBookstore lines its shelves with paid content in New Zealand, 17 Latin American countries
iDevice owners in New Zealand and 17 Latin American countries are no longer restricted to a diet composed of free content when it comes to their respective iBookstores. A quick search of the storefronts will reveal virtual shelves stocked with paid-content that haven't yet found their way to the shops' homepages. Reside in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru or Venezuela? Head on over to the appropriate store and books with price tags will be available for purchase. If this is any sign of what Apple has up its sleeve for tomorrow, we suspect that "a little more" will involve a bit of reading.
