Q4 2010
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Clearwire reports Q4 earnings: staff, marketing, stores, and handset plans all scaled back
Though it reported record growth in both revenue and subscriber count, Clearwire's bad news outweighed the good as it announced its fourth quarter earnings today. Here's the meat of it: "The Company is actively pursuing a number of options to resolve its need for additional capital. The Company is in discussions with a number of its major shareholders and other third parties about a number of options, including potential strategic transactions, additional debt or equity financings and/or asset sales. While the Company is cautiously optimistic it will resolve its short-term funding needs in the near future, there can be no assurances. Thus, it is implementing a series of significant cash conservation measures to reduce costs, including: a substantial reduction in sales and marketing spending, a suspension of additional retail channel market launches of the CLEAR-branded operations in select markets including Denver and Miami, delays in the introduction of CLEAR-branded smartphones, a substantial reduction in the contractor workforce, a 15% reduction in the number of employees, and the discontinuation of development activities for sites not required for its current build plan. The Company currently has thousands of sites in various stages of planning and construction beyond its current build plan, and it intends to suspend zoning and permitting in a portion of those sites until such time as additional funding becomes available." Translation: they're running low on cash, they're looking for ways to raise more of it, and until they do, they aren't launching those promised Clear-branded phones or opening any more retail locations. They're also cutting staff by 15 percent, scaling back Clear marketing, and suspending network planning beyond stuff that's already in the works -- a pretty drastic step considering how much build-out Clearwire's network still needs. Though Sprint depends heavily on Clearwire for its current WiMAX setup, it's unclear whether Sprint would be willing to continue to dump cash into the partnership -- particularly considering the recent rumors that they're looking to reach out to other carriers -- and Comcast has already gone on record saying they don't see themselves turning into a Clearwire ATM. Obviously, both Clearwire's spectrum holdings and its infrastructure are extraordinarily valuable and we wouldn't sound any alarms that Sprint's WiMAX network is in any danger of disappearing, but we're sure this is sounding some alarms at Sprint headquarters that it's time to make some strategic moves. Should be interesting to see how this all plays out.
Xbox Live Fall Dashboard update coming November 1
Looks like the handful of folks with early Kinect games who're locked out of Xbox Live won't have too much longer to wait -- Microsoft emailed fall Dashboard preview users last night with the announcement that the forthcoming Xbox Live update will go public on November 1. "On November 1, 2010, there will be a mandatory service update to Xbox Live. This update will both add new features to your service and also enhance the interface, navigation, and responsiveness of Xbox Live," the email reads. Beyond Kinect functionality, the fall Dashboard update will add ESPN3, refreshed Avatars, and a new voice codec for chat (among other things). This means, besides all that stuff, you'll finally be able to chat with your friends in the Dashboard preview once more. It's been so long, friends! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
The Sly Collection drops into retail November 9
The Sly Collection will be available for five-finger discount beginning November 9. If you're in the mood to actually pay for the thievius raccoonus bundle, which includes Sly Cooper, Sly 2: Band of Thieves and Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves, that'll cost you $40. The bundle will also include four new minigames for use with the PlayStation Move controller (or DualShock controller), each focusing on Sly, Bentley, Murray or Carmelita. According to Glen Egan of Sanzaru Games, which handled the port of the PS2 classics, each minigame captures "an aspect of the character and presents it in a way that's great fun to play." Beyond all that, the games are presented in widescreen with stereoscopic threeeeeeeee-deeeeeeee. We would have typed "3D" there, but then it just looks like our keyboard broke. See: 3333333333333-DDDDDDDDDDDD.
Motorola's mobile unit posts first operating profit in a long, long time
As a whole, Motorola is no stranger to profit... thing is, Moto won't be "whole" for much longer, and when the split happens, we're sure it'd like all of its divisions to be profitable. The mobile unit, of course, has been the struggling one, trying to pull out of a multi-year post-RAZR nosedive under the leadership of CEO Sanjay Jha -- and it looks like his all-in bet on Android is starting to pay off at the bank on today's news that they've posted a non-GAAP operating profit of $3 million. Yes, sure, that's razor-thin when you consider that they sold some $2 billion worth of phones -- but these guys haven't seen black ink in three years, so it's definitely cause for celebration. Looking at the bigger picture, the entirety of Motorola posted non-GAAP earnings per share of 16 cents -- handily beating the estimate of 10 to 12 cents -- on sales of $5.8 billion. Not out of the woods yet, but certainly rolling toward the end of the year on a high note, we'd say.
Majin Forsakes the Kingdom a week early
Namco Bandai can't wait to introduce you to Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom. The publisher announced that the North American release date for Game Republic's adventure, starring Tepeu and his awesome monster pal, has been moved forward a week from November 30 to November 23. If you can't wait to play the game, a demo is available right now for Gold subscribers on Xbox Live Marketplace, and will be available on PSN later today. It features the first level of the game, in which Tepeu encounters the giant monster who would become his friend. Of course, not knowing how that plays out, Tepeu probably sees it as "encountering a giant monster," which is less heartwarming.%Gallery-105981%
Red Dead Redemption 'Undead Nightmare' disc in stores Nov. 23
Yee-haw! Rockstar's standalone disc-based collection of Red Dead Redemption DLC, Undead Nightmare, is being wrangled into retail on November 23. It includes the Free Roam online mode, along with the Undead Nightmare, Liars and Cheats, Legends and Killers, and Outlaws to the End DLC. If you already have Red Dead Redemption, you can simply download the new Undead Nightmare pack right now on Xbox 360 for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). You can also download the "Undead Nightmare Collection," which bundles the Undead Nightmare, Legends and Killers, and Liars and Cheats DLC, for 1600 MSP ($20). You'll have the same set of choices for PS3 when the PlayStation Store is updated later today.
NBA Jam sets PS3 and Xbox 360 on fire Nov. 17
EA has finally revealed the launch details for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of NBA Jam, originally to be given away with NBA Elite 11. The arcade basketball title will slam dunk into retail on November 17, for the same $50 price point as the Wii version. Effectively, it replaces NBA Elite 11 as EA's holiday basketball game (though analyst Michael Pachter has predicted that it won't be an adequate replacement). In fact, we're pretty sure someone at EA is desperately trying to perform a Jedi mind trick on us now, to convince us that there was never anything called NBA Elite, and Jam has always been the plan. You'll be able to play Classic 2-on-2 mode online on day one, but EA plans to add several additional online features in a December title update -- features like various "Remix Games," four-player Jam Party mode, and an Online Progression mode in which players build their character by taking them through a series of online challenges. The fact that all the online features aren't ready for launch adds more credence to the idea that EA is using this to plug an Elite-shaped hole.%Gallery-105672%
Red Wii and DSi XL bundles, Wii Remote Plus, and FlingSmash in North America Nov. 7
After keeping us in suspense for a couple of weeks, Nintendo of America has finally announced the Super Mario Bros. 25th anniversary hardware bundles for North America. Both the red Wii and DSi XL systems will arrive on November 7. The $200 Wii bundle includes New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Sports, and a red Wii Remote Plus. Neither the package nor the press release mentions anything about the special versions of the NES Super Mario Bros. or Donkey Kong included in other regions. The $180 DSi XL bundle includes Mario Kart DS, and comes pre-loaded with two Brain Age Express games and Photo Clock. The Wii Remote Plus, combining a Wiimote and a MotionPlus, will be released the same day for $40, in white, black, pink, and blue. It will be the standard Wii controller from now on, included in hardware bundles. FlingSmash will also come packed in with a Wii Remote Plus -- it's out the same day for $50.%Gallery-105664%%Gallery-105665%
StarCraft 2 Razer peripherals light up November
If your performance in StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty isn't where you'd like it to be, perhaps it's because your controllers aren't glowing enough. Sure, the StarCraft 2-branded Spectre mouse, Marauder keyboard and Banshee headset from Razer (all designed in collaboration with Blizzard) have other features that make them well-suited for games -- like specialized configuration utilities and quick response times -- but those aren't why anyone would buy one of these. Cool backlighting is. Besides, when the keyboard description lists things like "Optimized Key Travel Distance" as a selling point, "pretty lights" doesn't seem like such a minor thing to latch on to. The set will be released in the US, Europe and Korea in November, with the mouse retailing for $80 (€80/94,800 won), and the keyboard and headset for $120 (€120/142,800 won) each. %Gallery-105504%
Blue Toad Murder Files organized on PC this November
We know, we know -- you're really into solving murder mysteries, but you still don't own a PlayStation 3. You'll be glad to hear that Blue Toad Murder Files is finally heading to the PC, having completed its episodic launch on the PlayStation Network. All six episodes of the relentlessly British puzzle game (from the creators of Buzz!) will be available as of November 24 from "online games distribution sites," in addition to the game's official website, for $19.99 (£14.99). Oh, you don't have a PC either? Look, maybe it's time we had a talk. We're just ... worried, that's all.
Ys: The Oath in Felghana in stores and on PSN Nov. 2
XSEED has clarified the announced "November" release date for Ys: The Oath in Felghana -- and it's about as early in November as it can possibly be. If you're up for a classic top-down action RPG for your PSP, you can grab this remake on November 2. The special edition version (pictured) will be available from Amazon, GameStop, Videogamesplus.ca and "other fine retailers," and will include a soundtrack and desk calendar. The regular edition will be available in both UMD and download forms for $30.
Blacklight: Tango Down advances to PSN on Oct. 26
Blacklight: Tango Down 2 may already be in production and on schedule for next summer, but Zombie Studios isn't letting go of its promise to bring Blacklight: Tango Down to PlayStation 3 owners across the globe. Publisher UTV Ignition has announced an October 26 release date for the download-only FPS in North America, followed by a November 3 release on the European PSN. In the announcement, UTV says the game will come with "PSN-exclusive content," including a "join-in-progress" option for multiplayer -- the publisher teases more info on the exclusive content will be revealed "shortly." Like it's Xbox 360 and PC counterparts, the PS3 version of Blacklight will be priced at $15 (£10/€13) when it arrives on PSN.
Glee's Karaoke Revolution comes to Wii November 9
Karaoke Revolution Glee welcomes everyone to New Directions this November 9 on Wii. The game will feature songs and scenes from the first season of the hit FOX TV series -- which means, sadly, no Brittany doing Britney. Check out 10 of the 30 songs to be included in the game after the break.
Steve Jobs drops knowledge on earnings call: calls out Google and RIM, says 7-inch tablets are 'DOA' (Update: complete Jobs audio!)
Steve Jobs hit today's earnings call with the power of words. In a tone that could be described as "righteous anger" or perhaps just "reppin," Steve launched into a five minute rant that hit hard against RIM's entire business model, Android sales numbers and software fragmentation, and the impending wave of Android tablets. With the iPhone surpassing RIM, Steve says that he "[doesn't] see them catching up in the foreseeable future." As for Android sales, Steve takes issues with the market share figures that are currently floating around, saying that 275k iOS devices were activated on average per day last month, compared to Android's most recent estimate of 250k per day -- though he does admit that Android outshipped iPhone in the June quarter, during the "transition" to iPhone 4. That wasn't Steve's only problem with Android, he takes major issue with the fragmentation and the onus he believes it puts on the user: "we believe integrated will trump fragmented every time." Oh, and 7-inch tablets? You're in for a bag of hurt. Steve pretty much outright killed any potential for 7-inch iPad rumors, saying that the software just isn't right for that size ("This size is useless unless you include sandpaper so users can sand their fingers down to a quarter of their size."), and that users have no need for a pocket sized tablet when they already have a smartphone. He called the iPad's upcoming competition in the space "DOA." After he calmed down a bit, the call entered a Q&A period, where Steve was happy to point out that the iPad has already surpassed Macintosh in sales, and that it's going to affect laptop computers: "it's not if, it's when." We'll get a copy of the audio and put it up as soon as possible... like most CEO outbursts, this is not one to be missed. Hit up our liveblog of the call for a bit more context, and you can try the source link for Apple's stream of the entire earnings shindig. Update: We just ripped the first part of the call, which featured Steve's prepared remarks -- we'll have an edited version of the Q&A session in just a bit. Update 2: And here's an edited version of the Q&A with just Jobs's answers -- hit the source link for Apple's archive of the whole thing with Peter and Tim's answers as well. Update 3: And just for the completists out there, here's an MP3 of both segments combined.
THQ pencils in uDraw release date: November 14
THQ's uDraw device, a drawing tablet for Wii, will launch in North America on November 14. The $69.99 package will include the tablet and uDraw Studio, a drawing and coloring game. In addition, the other two known uDraw-compatible games, Pictionary and Dood's Big Adventure, will also be released on November 14, for $30 each. Along with these three release dates (or this one release date for three things), THQ noted that "Future waves of video game titles are planned during calendar 2011 and beyond." It's nice to have some measure of reassurance that the peripheral will be supported, at least.%Gallery-99627%
Wii Remote Plus and FlingSmash launch in Europe in November
Nintendo will release the Wii Remote Plus, which combines a Wii Remote and MotionPlus add-on, in Europe on November 5 -- six days before the Japanese release date. The new controller will be available in black, white, pink and blue. Nintendo has yet to announce a price, but the price in Japan is equivalent to a normal Wiimote, so it'll probably be a similar deal in Europe. If you want to get a Wii Remote Plus early, and if you have the money, a red one will be included with the Super Mario Bros. anniversary edition Wii on October 29. If you'd like to pick up a game with your Wii Remote Plus, but not a whole system, you'll be able to buy a FlingSmash bundle on November 19.
The date for Bit.Trip Fate is October 25
It's not the October 18 release date we expected, but it is "thereabouts," as Gaijin Games' Alex Neuse put it. Bit. Trip Fate, the fifth entry in the outrageously difficult WiiWare game series, will be released in North America on October 25, for 800 Wii Points ($8). Fate is "a much darker episode in our hero's life," Neuse said in the release date announcement, "and is full of depressing themes, dreary hidden messages, sad music, and an overall gloomy theme. YOU'LL LOVE IT!" It's also a side-scrolling shooter that uses the Wiimote's pointer to aim. And it's (we're guessing) painfully difficult.%Gallery-101433%
Red Dead Redemption's 'Undead Nightmare' begins October 26
Is Red Dead Redemption getting a bit stale? It's going to be a lot more stale come October 26 -- so stale it's rotten, in fact. That's when all the deceased cowpokes, banditos and even varmints rise from their graves in the Undead Nightmare DLC. The pack will run you $10 on Xbox 360 and PS3, and will give you "5–12 hours" worth of zombie-shooting, coffin-burning, ex-horse-riding fun. For more information about what you'll actually be doing (besides screaming in a gentlemanly Southern accent), we invite you to peruse our preview. %Gallery-104661%
Gran Turismo 5 delayed, still coming 'this holiday season'
No, it's not a joke. Gran Turismo 5 has lost its November 2nd release date. While there's no date set for the repeatedly delayed PlayStation 3 racing game, the PlayStation.Blog still pegs it as a "holiday season" game. It appears the delay is global, as the Japanese site also features an apology for the delay. Presumably, Polyphony Digital's Kazunori Yamauchi wanted to add just one more feature to the game: breaking your heart.
XSEED pledges to release Ys: The Oath in Felghana in November
All done with Ys Seven? Soon, you can move on to ... Ys Three -- sort of. The next Ys to be released on PSP by XSEED is Ys: The Oath in Felghana, a more traditional top-down action-RPG version of the side-scrolling Ys 3: Wanderers from Ys. In a PlayStation Blog post, XSEED's Thomas Lipschultz announced a November release date for the remake. Lipschultz then compared the structure of Felghana to a Metroidvania game. "Now don't get me wrong here," he wrote, "I'm NOT claiming it's an open-ended nonlinear exploration-fest ... but it DOES follow the basic structure of this much-beloved action subgenre: you explore your surroundings, find new items or abilities, and use those to push on farther than you ever could before." Ys: The Oath in Felghana will be released in both a standard edition and limited edition, which includes a soundtrack CD and desktop calendar.%Gallery-104895%
