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AT&T ditches U-verse on Xbox 360 on December 31
AT&T is discontinuing U-verse, its streaming TV service, on Xbox 360 starting December 31, the company announced. AT&T will issue a $99 credit to Xbox 360 U-verse customers to cover the cost of a year's Xbox Live Gold, which was required for the service, and then some. The refund should show up within two billing cycles, AT&T said. U-verse hit Xbox 360 in October 2010. Anyone in need of an additional U-verse receiver to replace the Xbox 360 can hit up AT&T here or call 800-288-2020.
Nintendo of America: Wii to remain on store shelves in US
The Wii will be available in the US as usual this year, Nintendo of America has confirmed. Yesterday, Nintendo of Japan announced that it would discontinue production of the Wii, but the worldwide implications of this stoppage were unclear. "The announcement that the Wii console has been discontinued is specific to Japan," a representative told Gamespot. "There is no change in the status of Wii in the United States, and it is available for purchase this holiday season." Earlier this month Nintendo of Japan announced that Wii manufacturing is due to end soon. Nintendo has sold 12.7 million Wii consoles since its launch in late 2006.
Wii discontinued in Japan
To put this situation into parrot terms, the Japanese SKU of the Wii is pining for the fjords. Nintendo of Japan's official site lists the console as "discontinued," according to Engadget's translation. Earlier this month we learned that Nintendo planned to halt production of the console, though it was unclear whether the company intended to shut down all manufacturing processes, or only those concerning the Japanese Wii. There's still no indication that supply lines in North America or Europe have been altered, but we've reached out to Nintendo to find out precisely what the dealio, yo. In any event, this means that there are now a finite number of Japanese Wii units in existence. We anticipate that the remaining new Wii units will undoubtedly be pitted against each other in a ruthless battle to the death – or a lot more people will be buying used Wiis, whatever.
Nintendo stops selling Wii consoles in Japan
That was quick. Just a few weeks after it became clear that Nintendo would stop manufacturing the Wii for Japan, the company has quietly listed the console as "discontinued" (upper right) on its Japanese website. From now on, local gamers wanting a Wii fix will either have to pick up the backwards-compatible Wii U or hunt for leftover stock at retailers. It's not quite the end of an era when both the regular Wii and Wii Mini remain available in other countries; with that said, we wouldn't count on the last-generation system hanging around for much longer.
Telus document: iPhone 5 models could be discontinued September 28th
A leaked document from Telus seems to confirm recent rumblings that the iPhone 5 could be discontinued following Apple's colorful event on September 10th. The internal notice of discontinuation shows 32GB and 64GB versions of the phone disappearing on September 28th (one day after the expected 5S availability), with the 16GB model escaping the axe. That lines up with rumors that the iPhone 5 will be displaced by a new iPhone 5S model at the high end, and a widely rumored, multi-hued plastic version at the mid end. Prescient analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also thought the 16GB iPhone 5 would stay on to bolster the bottom of the lineup, much the way the 4S does right now. All of that seems to tie everything up in a nice bow, but still -- rumors and leaks, right?
Google to end support for Google Catalog on iOS
Google Catalogs, a favorite of online window shoppers whose bosses have web filters, has announced it will be ending support for its apps on August 15. Users have been directed to view the site via its website google.com/catalogs from their desktop browser. Google recently announced it would also be ending its Google Shopper app on August 30. So if you've always wanted to try out Google Catalog now is your last chance. The app is still available for download in the iTunes store.
Nokia ships its last Symbian phones this summer
That moment we'd been expecting (and to some extent, dreading) has come: Nokia is near shipping its last Symbian smartphones. The company should deliver the final round of 808 PureViews sometime this summer, marking the effective end to an 11-year-old platform. Those still attached to the software will have to take comfort in support that will last until at least 2016. We're not overly attached to Symbian -- it never completely adjusted to the modern era -- but it's hard not to shed a tear for the OS that brought us the N95, E71 and other smartphone classics. Let's just hope that the next round of Lumias can fill the hole in our hearts.
Rumor: GameStop discontinuing Wii U Basic after June 18 [Update: Nintendo responds]
Update: Nintendo of America Senior Director of Corporate Communications Charlie Scibetta has provided the following statement to Joystiq: "There is a current misperception about Wii U hardware. To clarify: Nintendo is working with its retail partners to simply rebalance the stock of the White 8GB and the Black 32GB Wii U models in the market. Consumers looking for either model will continue to find them available." Some GameStop locations will no longer sell the 8GB Wii U Basic console after June 18, according to a Kotaku source. CNET also says it's confirmed this with several GameStop stores. We've contacted both Nintendo and GameStop for comment. Other retailers have held sales for the Wii U Basic over the last few months, though it's hardly indicative of retailers looking to get rid of stock ahead of a recall. In its year-end financial report, Nintendo revealed Wii U shipments fell below the company forecast. As of March 31, 3.75 million Wii U consoles have been sold worldwide.
Amazon Kindle Keyboard 3G being discontinued?
Amazon confirmed as early as last September that the Kindle Keyboard would be sticking around, but much like your favorite dessert, nothing is forever. The Kindle Keyboard 3G is now showing as unavailable or out of stock at Amazon's site, as well as at Best Buy and Target. Of course, the last of those has had this here device on sale for what feels like forever, but it's still somewhat sad to see it come to the end of its road. It's entirely possible that the company's Lab126 is cooking up a replacement alongside those mythical smartphones, but it's unclear if such a conceptual piece is on the immediate horizon. We've reached out to Amazon regarding the disappearance, and we'll be sure to update this post as we learn more. [Thanks, John]
Hasselblad stops production of V System cameras (updated)
Almost by definition, Hasselblad is a company steeped in tradition -- it's hard to be ultra-trendy when your camera systems cost as much as a new car. We shouldn't be surprised, then, that the company is only just getting around to halting production on its last V System camera, the 503CW, 17 years after the first models rolled off the assembly line. Interest has simply dropped off quickly in the past five years, the company says. Support will continue, and accessories will sell while they last, but the emphasis from now on will be squarely on digital-first H System cameras like the H5D. Whether or not you're mourning the loss, there's no question that the V System has survived a lot during its lifetime, including the transition to digital shooting and new management. We'd say it's worth pouring one out for a true veteran of medium format photography. Update: Just to clear the air, the 503CW has been in production for 17 years -- the V System in any form has been active since 1957, since before digital was even a twinkle in Hasselblad's eye.
Neo Geo X production allegedly discontinued, additional carts to be released as planned (update)
The Neo Geo X was the subject of so much talk and so many renders, we thought it was destined to be vaporware. We were proved wrong and it was released in December, but if Japanese site Gamer is correct, production of the retro handheld-come-console has already been discontinued. Apparently, this isn't due to affect the release of add-on cartridges for the platform -- although not all owners are in need of more games. We reached out to Neo Geo's PR folks and they didn't confirm or deny the report, but said they'll have more information for us shortly. Update: Not so fast! Tommo Inc -- the company behind Neo Geo X -- says that production hasn't ceased on the main Neo Geo X standalone handheld, but has ceased on the Neo Geo X Gold Limited Edition (but was always planned to, as it's a limited edition).
PlayStation 2 is now discontinued worldwide, confirms Sony
Worldwide production of the PlayStation 2 is finally at a halt after almost 13 years. Sony confirmed to The Guardian that, following the recent news of it being discontinued in Japan, the best-selling home console ever is now no longer being manufactured.Sony boasts total software sales for the console of over 1.5 billion, in addition to more than 150 million PS2s sold. Rivals Nintendo and Sega barely shifted more than 30 million units of the GameCube and Dreamcast put together. It's unlikely we'll see a console dominate its generation so resoundingly ever again. Out of respect for the countless hours of gaming goodness it provided us, we at Joystiq are tearfully doffing our hats in memory of that little black box. That'll do, pig. That'll do.
PlayStation 2 discontinued in Japan after almost 13 years of service
The very last shipment of PlayStation 2 units to Japanese retailers is out the door, and the prolific console is now discontinued in the country. As Famitsu reports, production of the venerable black box ceased today nearly 13 years after its launch on March 4, 2000.While the original PlayStation sits in and around the 100 million mark, the PS2 built upon that success to sell over 150 million units worldwide and dominate its generation. Its long life in Japan is a testament to it comfortably being the best-selling home console ever.
PlayStation 2 reaches retirement age, is discontinued in Japan
Sony's PlayStation 3 has been on the market so long you'd think that production of the relatively ancient PS2 stopped some time ago. Well, that wasn't true, but according to the Japanese PlayStation website, the PS2 has now officially been discontinued in the region. Japanese site Famitsu adds that shipments of the console have ended, so once the remaining stock has been depleted in Japan, there'll be no replenishment. It's a sad thought, but let's remember the good times -- the PS2's various iterations have been entertaining gamers for 12 years, and with over 150 million units purchased worldwide it's become the best selling console in history. We're not sure if the PS2 is still shipping to other regions, but its retirement in Japan is probably the beginning of the end globally, so we'd recommend you pick one up now if you intend to explore that extensive back catalogue one day. The PS2 era may be drawing to a close, but its legacy will live on and it can now rub controllers with the other greats in console heaven -- we still miss you, Dreamcast. Update: Wiping a tear from its eye, SCE offered us this statement: Due to PlayStation 2 now being over 12 years old, we have decided to stop future production of the console and focus on our newer and more popular platforms, PS3, PS Move and PS Vita. We are very proud of what we have achieved with PS2. Having sold over 150m units worldwide, PlayStation 2 remains the world's best selling console, but with sales understandably declining, we are shifting our priorities to reflect this.
Zune's last days: Microsoft pulling Zune HD apps, select features on August 31st
Microsoft's oddly named music service put its official resignation in earlier this summer, but the Zune brand isn't in its coffin just yet -- although Redmond is certainly driving in the nails. Zune Pass subscribers, for instance, are now receiving word that the service's Mixview playback and channel playlist features will be discontinued on August 31st, along with music video streaming from the Zune desktop software. User licenses to previously purchased music videos are being reworked as well, cutting off user access to old content on new machines. The service's once heavily touted social aspect seems to be making way for Xbox Music as well: users will no longer be able to send or receive messages, invite friends or share songs, playlists, and play history. Last, but not least, the company is dealing its old hardware one final blow by discontinuing Zune HD apps -- not that there were many to kill off. Microsoft has little else to say in the brief email, but promises to share more information about Xbox Music soon. Check it out for yourself after the break.
Philips gives 21:9 TVs a wide berth, ceases production to focus on 16:9
While LG clearly thinks there's still some life in the super-wide format, Philips isn't so sure. In fact, the electronics stalwart has apparently just announced that it won't be releasing any more 21:9 TVs, due to lack of interest. Despite having regularly released new extra-wide sets since 2009, including 3D models, according to FlatpanelsHD, a spokesperson confirmed that demand barely meets the firm's requirements for mass production, and as such it's no longer viable. That's not to say that Philips is bowing out of big screens altogether though -- on the contrary -- it goes on to state that 50-inch screens, and above, are becoming increasingly important. For now, however, it looks like it'll be back to good old 16:9.
HTC Arrive makes its exit, leaves Sprint with a Windows Phone-shaped hole
Call it the end to a brief chapter in the Windows Phone saga. While there had been murmurs that the HTC Arrive was on its way out soon, any doubt has been removed now that the smartphone has vanished from Sprint's website and is likely on the endangered list at retail stores. The QWERTY slider's retirement leaves Sprint without any sort of Windows Phone in its roster, cutting the number of major US carriers backing Microsoft's platform down to three. Before you ask, we honestly don't know if the CDMA provider has a replacement waiting in the wings anytime soon: rumors of a Sprint Windows Phone 8 model surfaced as early as March, but the Yellow Swoosh network was nowhere to be seen among the Windows Phone 8 launch partners slated for this fall. The gap is conspicuous enough that Sprint subscribers may need a heaping amount of patience if they're not willing to switch networks for a Windows Phone fix in the near future.
iOS developer toolchain will bid farewell to the iPhone 3G
Cocoanetics has noticed something that's become apparent to most iOS developers already: with the advent of iOS 6 in a few weeks, Apple is essentially phasing out support for iOS on the iPhone 3G. Apple is slowly deprecating frameworks that iPhone 3G-compatible apps require from Xcode and app libraries, and the upcoming version of Xcode (4.5, currently in development) specifically states that it does not support armv6 devices or anything below iOS 4.3. In other words, both the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G have become extremely difficult for iOS developers to support, and by the time iOS 6 rolls around this fall, there will be essentially no reason for devs to try and make sure their apps and games work on the older hardware. While it may be technically possible to maintain separate codebases for newer and older hardware (by running old versions of Xcode), even the largest developers won't have financial reasons to do so. And the audience likely won't care much anyway. The number of people this affects grows smaller and smaller every day -- most phone contracts last about two years, which means it's been a few generations since the iPhone 3G was released in 2008. And there are a whole lot of new technologies for developers to take advantage of, including iCloud, Automatic Reference Counting, and Storyboard development, that make apps easier and quicker to develop and would never work with the older iPhone models anyway. Apple's never been accused of sticking with a product for too long -- the company has a reputation for moving on to the newer and better as quickly as possible. For developers, the iPhone 3G is essentially being lowered into the ground for good. Of course, that doesn't mean consumers are obligated to dump them; the existing apps they run will still work.
Samsung Galaxy S III 64GB not discontinued, coming in the 'second half of this year'
Yesterday, rumors about the meaty 64GB GS3 model having reached a discontinued status started circulating around the interwebs -- much to the disappointment of power users looking to snag the roomy handset. As it turns out, however, Samsung's told The Verge that this is far from the truth, saying the proportionally spacious Galaxy S III is coming "during the second half of this year," but also noting this "may vary and will be determined at the time of release." In other words, not all is lost, though it looks like anyone wanting to grab one of these is going to have to wait it out on the sidelines for just a little longer.
Has RIM canceled the 16GB PlayBook? (Update: it has)
If you're an indecisive fan of the BlackBerry PlayBook, your purchasing decision might just have been made a little easier. We're hearing reports that customers have been advised only existing stocks of the 16GB variant remain, and the firm will be offering just the 32- and 64GB models going forward. The speculation is that this is down to the lower profit margins on the smallest memory version, however this is not confirmed. We've contacted RIM for the official word in the meantime, and will update accordingly. Update: RIM's PR has responded with the following statement: RIM will no longer be making the 16 GB model of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. The 16 GB PlayBook will continue to be available for distributors and retailers while quantities last. We continue to remain committed to the tablet space and the 32 GB and 64 GB models of the BlackBerry PlayBook continue to be available from our distributors and retailers around the world. There is more value for our customers in the higher capacity models (32 GB, 64 GB), and as such we have decided to focus our efforts here.
