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Engadget Podcast 250 - 07.29.2011
Yes yes, y'all: it's the Engadget Podcast. We're brimming this week, as usual, with the low down on what's going down with all the new stuff. We've got the killer combo of lots of streaming news and a dearth of optical drives. We've got shaky earnings calls translating into big deals on the floor at Best Buy. And boy, do we have a little bit of Android news? We do! It's all here, as usual. Enjoy.Host: Tim Stevens, Brian HeaterGuests: Dana Wollman, Richard LawlerProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Beethoven's 5th02:24 - Mac mini review (mid 2011)03:20 - Editorial: Apple's officially over the optical drive, for better or worse09:16 - MacBook Air review (mid 2011)16:10 - Netflix adds Mad Men in the US today, CBS content in Canada and Latin America later16:34 - Amazon Prime Instant Video is adding CBS TV shows, including all of Star Trek17:50 - Amazon strikes movie streaming deal with Universal, adds 'Fear and Loathing' to free shipping24:17 - The Engadget Show - 023: We tour a headphone factory, talk record labels, and look at They Might Be Giants' favorite gadgets25:36 - Nintendo posts earnings, drops 3DS from $249 to $169 August 12th, current owners get 20 free games28:47 - Logitech CEO steps down after money losing Q1, Revue price slashed to $9937:15 - Toshiba Thrive review39:52 - HTC Status review44:46 - Windows Phone 7.5 Mango in-depth preview (video)46:20 - HTC CFO says it's time to 'figure it out' with Apple48:52 - Two more fake Apple Stores spotted by officials in China, two get the smackdown50:40 - Listener questionsHear the podcastSubscribe to the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)Contact the podcastSend your questions to @tim_stevens.Leave us a voicemail: (423) 438-3005 (GADGET-3005)E-mail us: podcast at engadget dot comTwitter: @tim_stevens @bheater @danawollman @rjcc
Nintendo posts earnings, drops 3DS from $249 to $169 August 12th, current owners get 20 free games
The price of the Nintendo 3DS in the US is dropping precipitously August 12th from $249 to $169, with other regions getting a similar price break in their respective currency. Are you one of the 830,000~ US gamers that have already shelled out? Don't be too disappointed, the thank you gift for gamers that have logged into the eShop at least once before the price cut will be 10 free NES virtual console games September 1st, plus 10 more Game Boy Advance virtual console games -- that Nintendo is not planning on releasing to the general public -- before the end of the year. Left holding the bag for all this desperation generosity, are the company's investors. While pressure from the upcoming Vita is surely playing a part, Nintendo plans to sell 16 million 3DS units in the financial year, but still slashed its financial projections for the year from ¥110 billion to just ¥20 billion. Check out the financial PDFs at the source links below while you decide if 10 potentially-exclusive GBA games are worth paying $80 extra for.
Amazon briefly pulls Cosmo Black Nintendo 3DS due to 'inventory issues,' reinstates it moments later
Here's a weird one. Earlier today, we heard (and confirmed) reports that the Cosmo Black Nintendo 3DS was unavailable for purchase directly through Amazon. We followed up with the company to get to the bottom of things, and were fed this explanation from a company spokesperson: "We received customer feedback that there may be an inventory issue with the Cosmo Black Nintendo 3DS. The integrity of the product is not under review. Customers are still able to purchase the Amazon.com offer of the Aqua Blue Nintendo 3DS, however the Amazon.com offer of [the] black Nintendo 3DS has been removed until the inventory issue is resolved. There is no problem with the Cosmo Black Nintendo 3DS units themselves. This is an internal inventory problem that was brought to our attention from customer feedback and we are looking into it and will resolve as soon as possible." Turns out, "as soon as possible" meant "three minutes later." As of this very moment in time, the handheld is available and in stock over at the world's most recognized e-tailer, with the outfit confirming to us that sales "have been reinstated." At any rate, we suppose this serves to clarify one thing while bringing about a totally separate question -- there's nothing physically wrong with the 3DS so far as Amazon's concerned, but how on Earth is its inventory team reacting that quickly?
Nintendo Video app for the American 3DS appears with four videos in tow
After some will they / won't they drama, Nintendo snuck out its new Video app for the 3DS, giving owners of the handheld a little something to enjoy in 3D between gaming sessions. That said, we hope your Netflix queue is full because there are apparently only four selections available at any given time. At launch, those slots are filled with an intro video, two short films (Sunday Jog and Dinosaur Office) and a Captain America movie trailer. Users should expect a continuously updated carousel of content going forward, but for now if you're not near your glasses-free 3D machine (or don't own one at all) check out these shots provided by one of our tipsters. Otherwise check for the app in the eShop; though with only a four-pack to start, we'd suggest pacing yourself instead of diving in all at once. Check out the PR after the break. [Thanks, Xavier] %Gallery-128920%
Netflix on Nintendo 3DS hands-on (video)
The Nintendo 3DS may be suffering from a slight lack of hot games at the moment, but thanks to a little update it is certainly not suffering from a lack of great movies and TV shows to watch. The Netflix addition that Nintendo promised us back in the summer is now up for download, and download is just what we did. If you're wondering just how Instant content looks on the small screen, click on through and find out. %Gallery-128420%
Survey: iOS not taking much gaming audience from gaming consoles
Conventional wisdom says iOS is slowly chipping away at more traditional gaming devices like portable and home consoles, with even Nintendo admitting that Apple's handhelds are competition. But that role may be a little overstated, according to a new survey. Resolve Market Research found that after buying a tablet like the iPad, the percentage of customers who say they won't bother buying a portable gaming console or a traditional home console is falling, meaning that more people are thinking about owning a tablet and owning a completely separate device meant just for gaming. As we've heard from elsewhere, laptops are the main target for tablet owners in terms of gaming, with dedicated e-readers also losing out to tablet devices for that function. But portable consoles like the Nintendo 3DS and Sony's upcoming PS Vita may have more of a life after iPad than previously thought. That doesn't mean that people aren't playing games on their tablets -- games are still one of the biggest categories in the App Store. Rather, it means that game time on the iPad isn't necessarily coming out of game time already being used up on traditional devices. Although this is just one survey, it'll be interesting to see how free time and gaming attention gets divided up as people settle down into life with the iPad and other tablet devices. Traditional consoles may be more focused than all-purpose tablets, but that doesn't mean tablet users don't want to play games or be entertained sometimes.
Japanese 3DS to get 3D TV service, North America waits with bated breath
3DS owners outside of Japan can look forward to missing out on yet another Nintendo sponsored video service -- at least for now. With the help of Fuji TV, Nintendo's Itsu no Ma ni Terebi (or "SpotPass TV") will bring a number of short format 3D TV programs to the fledgling handheld, including shows featuring cute animals, sumo wrestling idol girls, and daily tips on performing magic tricks. Like its Wii predecessor, this video service is currently a Japan-only affair, but there's still plenty of summer left for the big-N to make good on its GDC Netflix promise.
How would you change Nintendo's 3DS?
It took 'em longer than anticipated to sell a cool million of these things, but we're guessing the hardcore among us are in that crowd. The Nintendo 3DS is definitely trying something quite different, and while it's tough to tell if the Big N has a bona fide hit on its hands, we're feeling pretty certain that it'll pop out a second edition in due time. To that end, we're interested in hearing what existing owners would change if given the power. Would you tweak the displays in any way? Change up the colors? Modify the form factor? Alter the control scheme? We can't promise you that Luigi's listening, but feel free to get the ideas flowing in comments below.
Console vs. PC redux: how mobile gaming will reshape the industry (again)
They're a growing threat, these simple games with their simple designs, simple controls, and simple graphics. They don't offer the full, premium experience that the real gamers want. They aren't hardcore enough. They aren't serious enough. They're just too... casual. In the '90s these were all complaints used to describe the strengthening console menace. Back then, a younger me squandered his meager income at the local Babbage's or Electronics Boutique, stores full of PC games in cardboard boxes -- console titles relegated to a few little shelves. It wouldn't take long for those consoles to take over those stores and, along the way, the entire industry. Between just 1998 and 2006 console software sales more than doubled, from $2.5 billion to $6.7 billion, while PC game sales dropped from $1.8 billion to $970 million. Even the FPS, once exclusive domain of the PC, is now a console enterprise, with Call of Duty: Black Ops launching on 4.9 million sales on the Xbox 360 and PS3. The PC version, meanwhile, sold less than 400,000 copies (the NPD lumped them in with sales of the Nintendo DS and Wii versions). Who cares about ancient history? If you're a gamer you should, because it's happening again. This time, though, its console gamers lobbing the same lamentations at Angry Bird players, Words With Friends addicts, and ever-sneaky Fruit Ninjas. As smartphones and tablets get more powerful, the dedicated gaming machine looks more and more quaint. Where once software supported hardware in one big, happy family, it's all becoming rather more... disjointed. For a gamer like me, that's a little troubling. If app gaming does for consoles what those consoles did to the PC scene a decade ago, a lot of big game studios are going to be in trouble, and a lot of gamers are going to be pining for the good 'ol days.
Nintendo finally sells millionth 3DS unit in Japan, lives in the shadow of older brother
A million in (Japanese) sales is a far cry from failure, but even big daddy Satoru Iwata admits the 3DS isn't quite living up to expectations. Nintendo's tenderfoot handheld finally hit the mark after 13 weeks, a snail's pace when compared to the original dual-screen wunderkind, which reportedly made the grade in a mere four. The 3DS' predecessors will undoubtedly forgive it for being a late bloomer, it's the competition it ought to worry about; the PSP sold its first million in about seven weeks. The 3DS could still plow its way to the top -- but with the PlayStation Vita looming large on the horizon, and the fledgling handheld having already lost a round the PSV's predecessor, Nintendo could be in for a rough ride.
Nintendo 3DS has resistive touchscreen for backwards compatibility, what's the Wii U's excuse?
In case it somehow snuck in under your radar, E3 just happened. The LA-based gaming extravaganza is where Nintendo introduced its next generation of home console, the Wii U, also served as the location where our buddies from Joystiq caught up with Hideki Konno, the company's 3DS hardware chief. When queried as to why the 3DS uses the same, nowadays archaic, resistive touch technology as in the original DS, Mr. Konno answered candidly that "it's all about the backwards compatibility. We have to play DS games on this and we want to make sure they work." Not an unreasonable assertion by any means, however those same Joystiq sleuths also determined pretty conclusively that the Wii U's bodacious 6.2-inch controller also uses a resistive touchscreen -- could the primeval tech be getting recycled again for similar reasons? Nintendo's made no announcements about game compatibility on the Wii U beyond confirming that it'll play all Wii titles, but this at least it gives us some extra food for rumination (and speculation) while we wait for the new console's 2012 release.
The Rolling Western rolls up genres in an armadillo shell
We're going to do our best to describe what happens in this debut trailer for The Rolling Western, an action/strategy title for the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Let's see -- you play as an armadillo wearing a cowboy hat, who can spin around to attack enemies, explore a 3D world (picking up something called Manju Grass), and even build up towers to defend against giant ... rocks, maybe?
Hands-on with Nyko's Zoom Kinect and extended battery packs for the 3DS
We gave you a glimpse of Nyko's 2011 accessories lineup earlier this week, and today we got some quality time with the company's gear at E3 2011. We tried out Zoom Kinect, a set of lenses for Microsoft's favorite sensor bar that lets those residing in diminutive domiciles be the controller without rearranging their furniture. The add-on worked flawlessly when we gave it a go on Kinect Adventures -- Kinect had no trouble tracking our movements even though we were a few feet closer to the sensor than recommended. Zoom Kinect is slated for an August 16th release and will cost $29.99, a paltry sum compared to the price of buying a bigger living room. But wait, there's more! See our impressions of Nyko's other new products after the break. %Gallery-125855%
Nintendo bringing 'Red Flare' 3DS, new Wii package to Japan this summer
Now that we're all sitting on summer's doorstep, Nintendo has decided to add a little heat to its 3DS lineup, with a new 'Red Flare' handheld, coming to Japan next month. Offering a sanguine alternative to the Aqua Blue and Cosmo Black variants, this little fireball will retail for ¥25,000 (about $312) when it hits Japanese stores on July 14th -- just in time for the release of Star Fox 64 3D. The company is also planning to unleash a new Wii bundle on June 23rd, which will package two Wii Remote Plus controllers (one in black or white, one in blue) with Wii Sports Resort software, for ¥20,000 (around $250). No word yet on whether these offers will be coming Westward anytime soon, but you can find more information in the translated press release, after the break.
Nintendo 3DS to get free WiFi access in Best Buy stores, Best Buy hopes you'll buy stuff
Man, Best Buy really wants you to step foot in its stores. The company just announced a deal with Nintendo whereby 3DS owners will get free WiFi access in more than 1,000 of the company's stores starting on June 7th -- not quite Sam's Club-style, but it's a start. And with that connection, dubbed SpotPass, people will have access to special, downloadable content such as gaming extras and movie trailers. So come June, get ready to drive down to your local Best Buy -- no pressure to buy anything once you're inside, of course. Don't have a 3DS? You can pick one up for a suggested retail price of $249.99. Don't like purchasing things? Well, you're no fun at all.
Hyperkin 3DS Powerplus covers your handheld in battery-extending goodness
Nintendo 3DS users will soon have another way to extend their system's notoriously limited battery life, thanks to Hyperkin's new 3DS Powerplus. Slated for release this summer, the 2.2-ounce accessory slips on to the back of the console without obstructing the 3DS' cartridge port, SD card and game controls, while adding an extra 1800mAh to the device's standard 1300mAh battery. The Powerplus also features an enhanced grip, as well as an LED indicator that can give you an idea of how much gas you've got left in the tank. Hyperkin says its $19.99 appurtenance will more than double your 3DS' battery life, but, as we learned from Nyko, seeing is believing. Head past the break for an extra image of the Powerplus, along with a full PR.
Man buys Nintendo 3DS, goes wrist-on with augmented reality tattoo (video)
According to his post on I Heart Chaos, Cranberryzero's next logical step after purchasing a Nintendo 3DS was to head down to Blue Flame Tattoo in Raleigh, NC to have the gaming system's augmented reality card permanently etched onto his arm. Our reaction lies somewhere between stupefied bewilderment and geeky adoration. Call it paranoia, but we wouldn't be able to sleep knowing our Miis were always lurking on the underside of our most-prominent appendage. CBZ, as he refers to himself on the blog, was kind enough to share some video of the finished product. Naturally, things are a little shaky, but you try standing on someone's wrist suspended in mid-air and see how you do.
DS Lite discontinued at GameStop
We caught wind of an internal GameStop memo this morning announcing the discontinuation of Nintendo's DS Lite. The memo (pictured above) asks employees to remove displays of Crimson, Black, and Metallic Rose models, once they've burned through their stock -- we've since confirmed the fact with an employee of the gaming chain. Not a huge shocker, of course, given the fact that the five-year-old system has since been eclipsed by 2009's DSi and, more recently, the company's glasses-free 3D portable, the 3DS. We have reached out to Nintendo for comment on the matter and will update this post with official word once received. Update: We heard back from Nintendo, receiving the usual "Nintendo doesn't comment on rumor and speculation."
Nintendo 3DS clocks up 400,000 US sales in opening week, nearly matches month-long total for DS
Now we're talking. After Nintendo slyly told us that the 3DS set a day-one US sales record for its handheld division, it has now been more forthright and actually disclosed some cold hard numbers. 400,000 3DS units were shifted in the month of March, says Nintendo of America chief Reggie Fils-Aime, which amounts to just one working week's worth of sales when you consider the portable console launched on March 27th. That was still enough time for it to threaten the DS' overall March tally of 460,000, however, and extrapolated over a full 30 days would total a whopping 2.4 million transactions. Of course, sales rarely sustain such a roaring pace after launch, but Reggie foresees good things for the 3DS with a marquee Legend of Zelda game, the launch of the E-Shop, and Netflix integration all coming over the summer. So the future's bright, we just wish it didn't have to be turquoise.
Nintendo 3DS sales affected by iPod touch and iPad, says IHS iSuppli
Nintendo recently launched the 3DS, and the portable gaming device is selling strongly. Despite this burst of early sales, IHS iSuppli predicts the 3DS will not reach the high sales numbers of its predecessor, the Nintendo DS. iSuppli predicts Nintendo will sell 70 million 3DS gaming systems by 2015, a figure that is 21 million less than the 91 million in sales racked up by the original DS at the same point in its sales cycle. The DS was developed and debuted during the non-Apple years when the iPhone and iPod touch were still on the drawing boards within Apple's Cupertino campus. The DS climbed rapidly to the top of the portable gaming market and remained in that position for years. Even the PlayStation Portable could not dethrone the DS from its throne as king of the portable gaming devices. The 3DS, according to iSuppli, is launching in a market that is increasingly losing market share to Apple's iOS devices and Android smartphones. Folks carrying an iPhone have access to a plethora of iOS games and do not need a dedicated gaming device. The 3DS includes several notable features, including 3D graphics effects, camera, video support and always-on Wi-Fi connectivity, but these features are not compelling enough for the average user to give up their iOS device and pick up a 3DS. Any iPhone, iPad or iPod touch gamers care to chime in and let us know if you intend to buy a 3DS? Or does your iOS device meet all of your portable gaming needs? [Via Electronista]
