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Zoom Q3 ears-on: it's like 'Stop Making Sense' saw your YouTube lip sync video and liked it
What's this blue monstrosity? A YouTube-happy concert bootlegger's new best friend. The Zoom Q3 (which is distributed by Samson in the States) pairs a decent stereo mic and some in-depth audio controls with a regular crappy pocket video camera sensor -- along with an oversized screen to make room for audio level meters. There are obviously limited situations where this is really necessary (there are plenty of much better dedicated mics for when you don't need the VGA video to go along with it), and all your cutesy Flip mino-toting friends are going to laugh at you, but at least you'll be able to crank up your recording to lossless and capture their cackles with eardrum shattering clarity. Check out a video of the Zoom Q3 shot with another Zoom Q3 after the break and decide for yourself if it's worth the slightly premium $249 pricetag.
Samsung expecting OLED laptops in Q3 2010
It'd be about a year late according to an earlier roadmap, but Samsung at IFA this week proclaimed its intention to adopt OLED for its laptop lineup as soon as the screens are commercially available -- "probably sometime Q3 next year" said Kyu Uhm, head of Worldwide Sales and Marketing for the company's Computing Division. Unfortunately, the company was mum on any other details. We doubt it'll look much like its 2008 prototype, but we can dream, can't we? [Via OLED-Info]
Apple has 91 percent revenue share of premium market
Apple's quarterly earnings aren't the only bits of good news going around: according to Betanews, the market research firm NPD has found that Apple's revenue market share in the premium price segment (computers costing $1000 or more) is 91 percent, up from 88 percent in May.Not only is this good news for Apple, it is a continuation of a positive trend: their premium revenue share is way up from the first quarter of 2008, when their cut was about 66 percent. However, most original equipment manufacturers and Microsoft prefer to measure success by unit market share, or how many individual computers were moved regardless of price. Gartner and IDC place the unit market share of PCs running some version of Microsoft Windows at 90 percent, while Macs have 8.7 percent.Breaking down the numbers, this news isn't too surprising. According to NPD, the average selling price of a computer sold at retail in June was $701. Splitting this figure into Macs and PCs gives an ASP of $515 for any Windows PC sold. A Mac, on the other hand, has an ASP of a whopping $1400. Considering that Apple chooses not to wage the netbook price war and that the bulk of PCs purchased cost less than $1000, it makes sense that Apple would control the premium segment. They were also able to boost their sales figures in this bracket by lowering the high-end prices $100 or more on each model while keeping all but one computer in the $1000+ segment. But hey, we'll take good news however we have to slice it, right? [via The Loop]
Apple bucks recession, records best non-holiday quarter in company history
Love 'em or hate 'em, Apple knows how to sell, and sell big. As we tune into the company's fiscal 2009 third quarter conference call this afternoon, we're told that it has just recorded its "best non-holiday quarter [in terms of] revenue and earnings" in company history. This, mind you, was recorded during what most say is the worst recession since the Great Depression. All told, Apple netted a quarterly profit of $1.23 billion, and international sales accounted for a staggering 44 percent of the quarter's revenue. The outfit continued to steamroll the competition in MP3 sales, moving 10.2 million iPod units in the quarter; of note, that was a seven percent decrease from last year, but given that fact that we're getting ever-closer to a saturation point with these things, we aren't too shocked to hear it. The company also confessed that the iPhone and iPod touch was cannibalizing traditional iPod sales (defined by Apple as the "shuffle, nano and classic"), but so long as those purchases stay within the realm of Apple, we're sure it doesn't much mind. The firm was also quick to boast of a 626 percent increase in iPhone sales from this quarter a year ago, but considering that its handsets were only available in a handful of nations then compared to scores of countries now, we still maintain that next quarter's iPhone sales will be the real measuring stick. Still, Peter Oppenheimer -- Apple's senior vice president and Chief Financial Officer -- did admit that the company was currently unable to meet iPhone 3GS demand in virtually every country where Apple is shipping it to. Which is funny, since we haven't heard of too many Americans that are still having trouble locating one. When talking about iTunes, we were reminded of the 1.5 billion total applications downloaded from the App Store, while some eight billion jams had been purchased (both since launch). In fact, Apple claimed that it was "years ahead" of rivals when comparing the App Store all those other application markets. Finally, Mac sales scooted up some four percent with a grand total of 2.6 million unit sold, which went down as the company's best-ever June quarter in terms of personal computer sales.When asked (again) about the possibility of Apple introducing a netbook, we were reminded that Apple "isn't out to make the most computers, just to make the best computers." Furthermore the suits at the company have yet to figure out how to build "the best" at the "$299, $399 or $499" level, once again extinguishing any hope of a low-cost Mac laptop anytime soon. He went on to say that "some customers buying these [netbooks] become disappointed / disenchanted," asserting that Apple is simply striving to make the "best, most innovative" machines and "give customers the most value." To quote Mr. Oppenheimer when responding to a question over an iPod-like device with a larger screen:"I never want to discount anything in the future and never want to talk about new products. People want a full-featured notebook, some of the netbooks being delivered are very slow, have software technology that is old, don't have a robust computing experience, small display, cramped keyboard, I could go on but I won't. We'll only play in things where we can be very innovative and be proud of."Okay Apple, we get it -- you're not interested in the netbook space. Gosh.
Apple reports 2009 Q3 earnings: $8.34B in revenues, profit of $1.35 per share
For the quarter just completed, Apple reported 8.34 billion dollars in revenue, and earnings of $1.35 per share (versus the $1.17 consensus estimate). 2.6 million Macs sold, 10.2M iPods, 5.2M iPhones, 36.3% margins. Guidance for the next quarter is $1.18 to $1.23 per share (all via CNBC). "Best non-holiday quarter ever," says the company.Full press release below. See you all back here at 2pm PT/5pm ET for our liveblog of the analyst conference call. Note that we will be listening to the call and cannot ask questions (much as we might like to!).
Zoom brings stereo audio to Q3 pocket camcorder
While those into good sound likely warmed to Zoom's H4n Handy Recorder back at CES, the Samson Technologies-owned company has just switched the game up on us with its newfangled Q3 Handy Video Recorder. As the product name implies, it's the first pocket camcorder to hit the market with such a serious focus on good sound, packing a directional, dual condenser microphone setup that enables shooters to capture clips at 24-bit/48 kHz while even focusing the mics on the sound source. The camcorder itself can log clips at an uninspiring 640 x 480 (30fps), while a pair of AA batteries gives you around two hours of life. There's also a 2.4-inch LCD, a bundled 32GB SD card (holds 16 hours of footage), a built-in speaker for previews, TV output, a tripod mount and USB 2.0 connectivity. If this bad boy did 720p, we'd be handing over our $249 with a heart full of thanks. Full release is after the break.
Microsoft Q309: Xbox division loses $31 million, 360 sales up 30%
Microsoft's third quarter may not have been the hotness, but the company's entertainment and devices division (that's Xbox) can have a very tiny fiesta to celebrate its sales victory. The mega-corp's revenues took a 6% beating, with net income down 32% over the prior year to $2.98 billion. The Xbox's (Zune, etc.) entertainment and devices division lost 31 million this quarter, after achieving a $106 million profit during the same time last year.On a happier note -- and pretty much the only relevant part for gamers -- the Xbox 360 console sold 1.7 million units during the quarter, an impressive year-over-year increase of 30 percent. The company also claims that the current tie ratio for the console is 8.3 games per owner. The company's chief financial officer said he was happy with the results given that this is the "most difficult economic environment" in the company's history.Source -- Microsoft's Xbox 360 division loses $31 millionSource -- Microsoft Reports Third-Quarter Results
Konami game revenue up in Q3
Whipping up some numbers to report, Konami announced that its net income for the games division during the first three quarters of the fiscal year reached ¥13.3 billion ($148.3 million). The figure represents a 5% increase from the same time last year; however, for its full fiscal year, the company estimates to bring in ¥18 billion ($200M), a slight decrease from last year's ¥18.5 billion ($206.3M).The financial fortunes in the division were driven by (gasp!) Metal Gear Solid 4 and the Pro Evolution Soccer series. With all the negative news coming out of other publishers, Konami's ability to weather the current global financial crisis is about as good as it gets. [Image]
Mizuguchi's XBLA games compiled in Q3 "Cubed" compilation
More new coming from today's Atari press conference is word that game designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi will be releasing all three of his Xbox Live Arcade games to retail as a compilation disc. This Arcade compilation will be called Q3 (Cubed) and will include Lumines Live!, Every Extend Extra Extreme as well as Rez HD and include all DLC associated with each title.Pricing for the compilation will be €30 (around $40), but a firm release date has yet to be confirmed. Expect early 2009.[Via Joystiq]
Atari announces Mizuguchi's 'QJ' for Wii, 'Q3' compilation
Atari is banking on Tetsuya Mizuguchi's next project, a music game with the working title "QJ," to reestablish the celebrated developer at the top of his, uh, game -- or to strike a chord with Wii owners, at least. The publisher announced today that it will bring Q Entertainment's QJ to Wii, but omitted further details. Marching behind a string of Lumines sequels, Mizuguchi has stumbled offbeat with his last several experiments, including Ninety-Nine Nights, Gunpey and Every Extend Extra Extreme. But QJ's music foundation suggests that Mizuguchi could be drumming up renewed inspiration from his own cult classic, Space Channel 5. Additionally, Atari announced the Q3 ("Cubed") compilation disc for Xbox 360, which will include Mizuguchi's XBLA games: Every Extend Extra Extreme, Lumines Live and Rez HD, along with all released DLC. The collection has been given a tentative price of €30 (roughly $40) and has yet to be dated for release.
TiVo enjoys a profitable third quarter -- with Echostar's money
Set your TiVo deathwatch monitoring devices to "hold", the the third quarter our friends from Alviso did manage to post a profit of $100.6 million, after figuring in a $105 million payment from Echostar. Patent related profits aside, a net loss of 163,000 subscribers is less heartening, as well as the acknowledgment that many mass distribution deals are still "in early phases of deployment." As it is, while ordering pizzas and queueing shows on the go is nice, we're still waiting for real profits and deployments before the 'watch gets lifted.
DISH Network sheds another 10,000 subscribers in Q3
DISH Network's Q3 results are out, and unfortunately, it's more of the same. Following the significant drop in subscriber growth in Q1, and and 25,000 subscribers lost in Q2 comes the news that Q3 saw another 10,000 subscriber drop while customer churn, customer acquisition costs and equipment costs all rose. Things aren't looking a lot better in the short term, with the end of the company's Advanced TV partnership with AT&T while the troubled economy makes it harder to attract new customers and borrow money to invest in new equipment (we're also figuring that $104 million headed to TiVo's pockets won't help). That leaves less than 14 million customers still around to catch that sweet 1080p VOD, last one out hit the lights, ok?Read - Subscribers Ditch Dish NetworkRead - Dish Profit Drops 54% on Subscriber Losses, Charges
Nokia lowers Q3 outlook on tough competition, product slip
2008 has generally treated Espoo pretty well, but every rose has its thorn -- and for Nokia, that thorn might just end up being the third quarter. The company has now revised its Q3 market share estimate downward, now predicting a slip from Q2 rather than the flat line it'd been suggesting before; cited reasons include a "tactical decision to not meet certain aggressive pricing of some competitors," generally fierce competition (particularly on the low end), and the delayed launch of an unnamed midrange handset. In justifying its failure to meet market pricing head-on in every market segment, Nokia says it's only going to play that game where it thinks it's profitable to do so, and for what it's worth, it still expects to ship about 10 percent more devices in 2008 than it did in 2007. What's more, they say they expect to meet the rest of their expected launch dates in '08 -- so it looks like every night has its dawn after all.[Via mocoNews]
Rogers' Q3 lineup revealed?
Dealer documentation seemingly intended for Rogers dealers has, of course, leaked out onto the interwebs, possibly revealing the entirety of the carrier's third quarter offerings. With the exception of the Bold and KickStart / Pearl 8220, there's nothing terribly mind-blowing in the mix, though the lineup does include a pretty healthy range of goodies from the low end to the reasonably high. Highlights include the Sony Ericsson W350a music flip, a phone we've already seen meandering about in AT&T livery, so it comes as little surprise that we'd see it up north as well; the iPAQ 910c Windows Mobile smartphone from HP; and a refreshed RAZR 2 that'll probably mirror the V9x. All of these chewy technological morsels launch (in theory, anyway) by the end of September, which really only serves to makes us wonder: what's on tap up there for the holiday season?
New batch of LotRO calendar wallpapers sneaks peak at Book 14
For some time now, Turbine has been releasing very pleasing wallpaper calendars based on The Lord of the Rings Online. The wallpapers feature well-framed screenshots from the game, accompanied by three small calendar pages -- one for each month in the quarter.The last batch will soon expire, as its wallpapers only track up through the end of June. Fear not, though; the Q3 2008 calendars are here! There are three different versions -- one of which depicts the Ring-forge of Eriagon, an area that will go into the game in Book 14.%Gallery-8208%
Capcom sees Q3 profit decline, raises full-year forecast
Capcom has announced (via Gamasutra) the results of its fiscal third quarter, showing 51.66 billion yen in net sales (US $484.5 million; a 4.8 percent increase) but net income dropping 17.8 percent to 3.57 billion yen (US $33.5m). Despite the decline and thanks to expected sales of Devil May Cry 4, Capcom raised its expected fiscal year operating profit to 11.5 billion yen (US $107.9m), a 20 percent increase over last year and 15 percent more than previous forecasts. Strong-selling titles for Capcom include Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles in North America and Monster Hunter 2 in Japan. Zack & Wiki unit sales were noted as growing "steadily" (and given the title's critical praise, it's about time). The publisher's "stagnant" arcade and coin-op divisions and uncertainties in the Japanese and world economies were cited as reasons for its profit drop. Devil May Cry 4 is expected to hit 1.9 million in unit sales by March 31.
Sony sells 4.9M PS3s in fiscal Q3; game division yields profit
So long, woods! A New York Times and Reuters report has laid out Sony's financial fortunes for its third fiscal quarter (which corresponds to the fourth quarter on your calendar), noting a 25% rise in net income to 200.2 billion yen ($1.9 billion) for the entire company. In the same period, the Japanese electronics manufacturer saw its games business turn a profit thanks to lowered production costs and aggressive PlayStation 3 price cuts.Though Sony has lowered its 11 million sales goal to 9.5 million for the fiscal year ending in March, the company managed to sell 4.9 million PlayStation 3 consoles from October to December of 2007. The PlayStation Portable's performance has proved more satisfactory, as its sales goal has been raised from 10 million to 13 million. Appending this news to Nintendo's continued domination, the Xbox's recent profitability and the game industry's monster year leads us to believe that there's a line of laughing executives forming in the bank right this minute.[Via Engadget]
