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Nokia CEO: cheap Windows Phones can come 'very quickly'
We'd raised our own concerns in interviews with both Stephen Elop and Microsoft's Aaron Woodman in the past week that Nokia could have difficulty pushing the Windows Phone platform low enough to fill the holes left by Symbian's departure in the bottom rungs of the market, but the Nokia CEO is making it very clear that he thinks that won't be a problem. In a talk with Finnish journalists on Friday, Elop said that it has become "convinced" that it can hit "a very low price point" and do it "very quickly," a strategy that will be key to converting significant swaths of Symbian market share into Windows Phone market share without losing it to other manufacturers or platforms. Of course, something tells us the leaked design concept (pictured right) doesn't represent the types of hardware Nokia has in mind for those low price points -- but no single device or market segment is going to take Espoo to the promised land here.
NBC says no to iTunes rentals at 99 cents
With reports of credit cards being charged for Apple TV pre-orders, it's only a short time before Apple's hobby takes a rather serious step forward. But with only ABC and Fox having signed up to Apple's new $0.99 price point to rent television shows, it seems there's a lot hanging in the balance. Most notably, for Apple - and for those that purchase the Apple TV - whether other large television studios will follow suit and get on board with Apple's new strategy. Recently, we reported that Warner Bros. was not best pleased with Apple's new TV episode price point. And now NBC has chimed in, too. Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Investor conference, Chief Executive of NBC Universal Jeff Zucker said, "We do not think 99 cents is the right price point for our content," and continued by saying, "We thought it would devalue our content." As reported by AppleInsider. But Apple's been at loggerheads with NBC before. Back in 2007, NBC decided not to renew its contract with Apple, resulting in NBC content being removed from the iTunes store, rather abruptly. NBC wanted the price point to be raised to $4.99 per TV episode, and that was three years ago. Eventually NBC came good with Apple, with NBC content being restored to the iTunes Store. Could history be repeating itself again? We're inclined to think so. Though Apple's new TV platform doesn't have everything going for it, it's certainly got a lot in its favor. And, as always, time will tell if Apple's going in the right direction, again. Be sure to let us know when your new Apple TV arrives at your door.
More Wii price speculation
This one really should have been a no-brainer. Nintendo announced that the Wii would weigh in at less than $250 come release date. They didn't waffle or hint, but instead stared us in the eyes like women men discerning individuals and declared their intentions. We like that.But a certain convenience store contest got everyone all lathered up over a little line in the rules declaring that the Wii prizes were worth $299. That fine print birthed a seed of doubt. Had the price changed? According to the prize rules for Nintendo's Camp Hyrule, the answer is a world of no. Camp Hyrule's fine print lists the value of their Wii prize as the familiar and comfortable $250. Our staff magic 8-ball is leaning towards the original $250 pricetag, but we'll keep you posted on all the sudden speculation.[Via Joystiq]
The business end of the console wars
The console wars are everywhere these days -- even in Businessweek magazine, and the Wii and PS3 aren't even out yet!Nintendo's high numbers in the market haven't been missed by stockwatchers; the Businessweek article points to the incredible success of the DS when projecting how the Wii will fare. But the article ventures behind the numbers and into surprisingly apt analysis, considering the type of publication. But perhaps that just goes to prove the widening of the gaming market, and its emergence as a true force in the global economy. While the piece kicks off as a look at projecting the business side of the console wars, it quickly becomes a Nintendo love-in. We understand that mentality around here and can't help but fawn over the Wii ourselves. However, there are some interesting tidbits therein. Why Wii will succeed (according to Businessweek): Unique and innovative system offers developers more latitude Price point -- no one can argue that Wii're cheaper! Wider market -- count on the business-minded to pick up on Nintendo marketing to everyone, not just gamers The glowing praise drops off near the end with the article's projected sales numbers for the PS3 and Wii. Despite the PS3's exorbitant pricetag, Businessweek expects the console to outsell Wii. Wii may just have to prove them wrong on that one.
XBLV Camera gets a price point, Uno fans screwed?
Joystiq has learned the "unofficial" price point for the Xbox Live Vision Camera: $39.99 bundled with Uno and one month of XBL Gold. It's not clear if those of us who already spent our hard-earned MS Points on Uno will get the opportunity to buy either a less expensive un-bundled version or another camera-enabled game. I'm guessing we're out of luck. The 'stiq also has info on various other "Holiday 2006" peripherals: New faceplates featuring Halo, Forza 2, & Viva Pinata for $19.99 each Wireless headest with a 30-foot range for $59.99 256MB Memory Unit for $59.99 Wireless gaming receiver for $19.99 (but it'll go on sale in Winter 2007, unlike the others, probably around the month of February) The upcoming wireless racing wheel previously reported at $130 isn't on the list, indicating MS is re-evaluating that price.Back to the camera. Is this price point and bundle pretty much what you expected? Furthermore, is $40 a small price to pay for the chance to see how ugly the strangers on your friend's list really are?
$40 XBL Vision camera & UNO bundle detailed by MS source along with prices & dates for other 360 accessories
Our friendly anonymous source at Microsoft has provided us with a few more details concerning the 360 accessories announced back at E3.Perhaps the most important involves the bundling of the Xbox Live Vision camera with a wired headset, the popular Live Arcade title UNO, and a month of Live Gold service for $39.99 when it releases in the States on September 19, 2006.Granted, this is still an unofficial report (based on a leak of "official" info), so understand that you're probably not gonna get much confirmation from MS until they're good and ready to give it. If you'd like information on what other peripherals are coming out "Holiday 2006" (so sometime in the 4th quarter) and at what price, read on for more.
Rumor: 360 wireless gaming receiver $20; wheel $130; headset $60; camera $40; Halo and Forza faceplates $20 [update 1]
Thanks to a reliable source from Microsoft, we've learned some important details about the new peripherals announced for the Xbox 360, including pricing and a few Halo faceplate (non)specifics. Check out the leaked info and prices below: 360 wireless gaming receiver (which enables wireless 360 controllers, headsets, and wheels on your PC): $20 Wireless racing wheel: $130 Wireless headset: $60 Xbox Live Vision Camera (with headset, one month of Live Gold, and one arcade -- presumably Xbox Live Arcade -- game): $40 New faceplates for Halo (with the Master Chief on 'em, but not Halo 3 specific) and Forza (no word on connections to the sequel): $20 each 256 MB portable memory unit (MU): no official price yet, but definitely not four times the cost of the older 64MB MU Besides acknowledging that the PC is "the biggest gaming device of all," MS appears to be setting an agressive price for its most relevant new PC accessory, the wireless gaming receiver (at least in comparison to the outrageously priced 360 wireless networking adapter). Unfortunately, no price was revealed as of yet for the USB-based HD-DVD add-on.We've speculated in our recent podcasts as to what would happen to the various 360 SKUs when price drops inevitably occur. An interesting theory bandied about by prolific Joystiq Contributor epobirs (on our earlier bump-to-256MB-MU post) was that a $20 price drop for the Core system, coupled with a $20 price drop on the 64MB MU, would finally allow folks to pick up a capable non-Premium bundle for the original $300 Core price point. (Not a bad way to undercut PS2 memory card prices, too.) We hope to get official confirmation on this info in the not-too-distant future.[Update: Sorry, had the camera price wrong in the headline; it now matches the price of the bundle listed in the body of the text below.]See also: 360's Mem Unit getting a bump to 256MB? (Comment from epobirs) Use 360 wireless peripherals with a PC Engadget & Joystiq's live coverage of Microsoft's Xbox 360 E3 event Joystiq / Engadget podcasts from Day One and Day Two of E3 2006
