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T-1 Day for Latin American, Chinese launch of iPad
Apple has announced that the iPad will be officially launched in five Latin American countries and China tomorrow, September 17, 2010. The über-popular iPad will be available in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru starting tomorrow. In China, the Wi-Fi model is launching, while the Wi-Fi + 3G is listed on the online Chinese Apple Store as "Coming Soon." TUAW also received a number of tips this morning that U.S. electronics retailer Micro Center is beginning to sell iPads in a number of locations. Recent rumors also point to mega-retailers Target and Walmart selling the iPad before the critical Christmas buying season. With the influx of new markets and retailers, it's a good thing Apple is ramping up production of iPads. [via AppleInsider]
UK game retailer claims 7,500 souls with a legal agreement prank
Don't think about it, just answer: Do you really read all of those agreements and legal texts that you need to scroll through when installing a game, signing up for a service or buying something online? Really? 7,500 people either don't, or they don't care about their eternal salvation, because UK video game retailer Gamestation could now legally own 7,500 souls if it wanted to. On April 1, it added a clause to its legal purchase agreement that granted the company "a non transferable option to claim, for now and for ever more, your immortal soul," and 7,500 game buyers happily clicked to agree. The company was just April Fooling -- the claims have been legally renounced, and worried patrons can click through to the website to get their soul back (and a special discount code for their trouble). But next time, you should probably read the fine print a little more closely.
Samsung's 3D HDTVs arrive February 26, starting at just under $2,000
Following the company's 2010 Blu-ray player lineup, the first of this year's 3D HDTVs from Samsung are available for preorder at a few internet retailers. The edge-lit LED and 1.1-inch thin C7000 series hits in 40- 46- and 55-inch sizes, with plenty of other features to go along with their 3D and 2D-to-3D conversion abilities. There's access to Samsung Apps & Internet@TV, Skype, AllShare DLNA media streaming, and tweaks that promise to automatically adjust picture and sound for any content source, from a thumb drive to a Blu-ray player. Best pleasant surprise? Price. The UN46B7000 model we reviewed last year started with a $2,999 MSRP (currently down to $1,929 on Amazon), while this year's UN46C7000 (shipping April 16) has a preorder price of $2,599. The 40- and 55-inch versions are similarly priced, at $1,999 and $3,299, respectively, though those necessary 3D glasses are left out of the package as an optional and as yet unpriced accessory that will likely eagerly claim any remaining room in your budget. %Gallery-85380% [Thanks, Jason]
More eBook trouble for Amazon
Amazon has run into more trouble with its pricing -- after Macmillan and HarperCollins, a third company has pressured the online book retailer to raise prices on their Kindle eBooks. This time it's the Hachette Book Group, and their CEO in an internal memo says that the company will switch to an "agency model" for eBook sales. What's an agency model? Why, it's the 70%/30% split between platform and content provider currently used in the App Store, and the same model that's planned to be used in iBooks on the iPad. And it's important to note that this is exactly what Jobs said would happen -- that publishers would move away from Amazon when they had another system to go with. What we don't yet know is where prices will end up on the iPad -- Jobs said that prices would be "the same," and it's looking more and more like the $9.99 bestseller price is going to be abandoned for $14.99 or even higher. But that's only because Amazon is fighting shadows with the iPad right now. If they can actually woo some content back to their side when the iPad actually releases, we may see prices get a little more competitive. Until then, the iPad hasn't even come out and it's already shaking up the ebook industry completely.
Ask Engadget HD: Is this the best time to buy a new HDTV?
It's the week of the Super Bowl and with the sales pages full of shiny new HDTVs one of the most frequent questions has risen again - is this the right time to buy a new HDTV? We'll let Manu put this one in the atmosphere: "With the Super Bowl coming up, it got me thinking - what's the best time to buy an HDTV with regards to price? I'm assuming right before the new ones come out, but when exactly is that? Or is that not even the right time?" There it is, simple and plain. Is this the time to buy, do you wait a few months for 2009's HDTVs to thin out and the new 2010 models to hit, or are you bargain hunting on Black Friday? Of course, if anyone has spotted a particularly sweet deal, feel free to let us all know where in the comments. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Poll: Where do you buy your Blu-ray discs now, if you buy them at all?
With Blu-ray disc adoption continuing to grow, we're wondering if your buying habits have changed. Last year Amazon ran away with the results, but it's 2009 now, Wal-mart has expanded its focus on Blu-ray (even nabbing the exclusive on TDK-style IMAX scenes for the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen release next week), Circuit City no longer exists and that weird guy in the white panel van even has a much better selection than he used to. So, where are you buying Blu-ray movies? %Poll-35693%
58 percent of salespeople recommend Samsung HDTVs, 100 percent like big commission checks
We're sure that none of our stunningly attractive, gadget-expert readers would ever think about walking into an electronics retailer and asking the opinion of the teenagers in blue shirts and name tags. But, we also know that there are plenty of other folks out there who do, and when they do they're told to buy Samsung HDTVs a whopping 58 percent of the time. There's certainly nothing wrong with Samsung sets, but there are certainly plenty of options out there, too. These numbers come from the always quotable J.D. Power and Associates, which also found that salespeople are becoming less likely to recommend LCD sets over plasma sets, which goes against the industry trend. We'd never hope to be able to get inside the head of one of those doing the recommending, but as always we would recommend reading a few reviews and going to the store to see what you like best -- after you ask to turn down the lights and use the right cables, of course.[Via PC World]
Games accounted for one fourth of HMV's sales last year
British-based retailer HMV is happy to report it has made over £1.95 billion ($3.21 billion) in sales last year (ending April 25, 2009), making an easy profit of £63 million ($103 million). HMV saw profits rise 4.4%, up from £56.6 million ($93.1 million) in the previous year. Gaming, GamesIndustry.biz notes, played a big part in boosting the retailer's overall figures, thanks to the introduction of used games sales -- which is a tactic that has become quite popular as of late.24% of all HMV's sales in the UK & Ireland were accounted to video games. This number is an increase of 4% over the previous year and also raises HMV's market share for gaming by 0.4%. HMV International also saw 12% of its total sales go to gaming and related technologies. Overall, it seems HMV is pleased with how its new strategy with gaming is panning out. If this keeps up, the HMV logo change we've discussed before just might happen for real.
Lack of PSPgo pre-orders bemoaned by UK retailers
So that "certain premium" for the UMD-less PSPgo? We may gripe about the $230 price tag here, but our friends across the pond might actually have it worse. Right now, while UK gamers are shelling out on average £100 (about $165 US) for a new PSP, the "guide price" for Go is currently set at around £230 ($370 US). Egregious? We think so, and it looks like British consumers might agree, as two independent retailers have reported zero pre-orders so far. Ouch. Of course, it's not indicative of the entire region, especially given there's no data here from the big chains, but as a "canary in a cage" indicator, it still doesn't sound good -- but hey, there's still plenty of time before its October 1 launch, and anything can happen.[Via Joystiq]
Gamestop: Digital distribution not a threat for another five years
According to Gamestop's Sterne Agee analyst, Arvind Bhatia, retailers have nothing to fear from digital distribution -- not for the next five years, anyhow. Speaking to Industrygamers, Bhatia disclosed that Gamestop management has been conducting thorough studies on the capabilities of digital downloads and its potential adoption for several years now and that the findings are still in favor of brick-and-mortar establishments. Bhatia predicts that a market for downloadable titles won't put serious pressure on retailers until 2014, which he proclaims will be a time when "25% of the population" will have easy access to download technology and when price and storage capacity won't be such a concern. Although Gamestop's study might sound like it's trying to combat digital distribution, Bhatia states it's not about competition but more on adaptation and learning how to profit from the changing distribution channels. We can already see retailers taking a slice, stocking network prepaid cards in stores and offering DLC and full game codes stuffed inside retail boxes. If this is how digital distribution is already affecting retailers, how much moreso in 2014?
Best Buy sued for violating its Price Match policy on purpose
Last Thursday, the U.S. District Court, Southern District approved a motion for a class-action suit filed by plaintiff Thomas Jermyn in New York State against Best Buy. Essentially, this suit will claim that Best Buy is in "extreme" violation of its own Price Match policy, and that it uses the advertised policy as a way to scam consumers into the stores and purchase gear. Best Buy's Price Match policy is "undisclosed," meaning that we don't know how it actually operates -- and the suit claims that the company routinely denies the Price Match policy -- as a matter of a lesser known, less cooler policy. The law offices charged with filing the suit are asking that consumers who have been affected by the policy get on the bandwagon. Next up: we file suit against them for using the name "Best Buy" when they are totally not.[Via IGN]
UK New Play Control prices probably won't be quite so overinflated
Nintendo has responded to UK retailers' pre-release pricing for the New Play Control editions of Pikmin and Mario Power Tennis, saying that those probably won't be the real prices -- and if they are, it's not Nintendo's doing. "It is up to retailers at what price they sell any item for," a Nintendo representative told Eurogamer. At least retailers will have a lower starting point for their prices: "However, our trade price for these games will be below our usual trade price for Wii games and our present estimate of the likely retail price is in the region of GBP 29.99." This doesn't necessarily mean that retailers really will sell the games at the somewhat reduced price point (which still comes out to $41), but it means that if they don't, they're total jerks. Amazon, at least, currently has Pikmin for £24.99!
DISH Network cans six retailers for sketchy behavior
You can say whatever you please about DISH Network's service, but don't ever say it isn't guarding its reputation like a hawk. Just a month after the satcaster made known that a TV pirate went to the slammer for rebroadcasting its material, we see this: a notification that six retailers have been "terminated." Why, you ask? Because DISH was given reason to believe that the dirty (half) dozen had "engaged in illegal activity including fraud and misrepresentation when establishing customer accounts for DISH Network service." DISH goes on to proclaim that it "does not tolerate illegal activity and will take action against any retailer that it believes has engaged in any form of fraud or misrepresentation in its dealings with DISH Network," so if you've got a questionable deal lined up with one of the six outfits listed after the jump, we'd hop on the line and initiate a cancellation as quickly as possible.[Image courtesy of DayLife]
Gateway ditches direct sales model, goes purely indirect
Gateway, long known for its (once) very active direct sales model, is continuing to morph as it attempts to revitalize itself. The most recent strategic change is pretty remarkable -- the outfit is completely and thoroughly ditching the aforesaid direct sales model. From here on out, prospective customers will only be able to snag a Gateway PC from retailers, e-tailers and other channel partners. According to the official verbiage, the change will deliver "significant cost savings, ultimately resulting in an improved value proposition for consumers." This all seems to have quite a bit to do with the recent Acer acquisition, with Mark Hill, Acer Group US General Manager, stating that Gateway is "shifting its distribution method to better align with Acer's successful global strategy, which was built upon an indirect model." At this point, we suppose it can't hurt to give it a whirl.[Via Electronista, image courtesy of The New York Times]
Forum Post of the Day: Wrath release dates
We're all anxiously anticipating the announcement of a release date for Warth of the Lich King. Many of us speculate that the game will be released in November of this year. Many players have sent us tips about various retailers and their release dates. Lubu of EU-Burning Blade shared an email from the vendor with which he placed a preorder of the game: Dear sir Thank you for the following order placed with GAME. As you may already be aware, the release date for World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Expansion Pack has changed to Oct 2008. Changes to release dates are relatively common in the videogames industry and are unfortunately beyond our control. Don't worry, your order is still live and will be despatched prior to its release date via your chosen method of delivery.
Chaos, Panic, Disorder: WAR CE pre-order rundown
As tumultuous as the delay has been for the Warhammer Online fan community, an even bigger headache has loomed in the minds of many. One of the biggest details to come from the announcement of the Collector's Edition and its myriad of goodies was that those who put in a pre-order for the CE would get early access to the Open Beta and a head start on the rest of the Warhammer fanatics when it finally comes time for release sometime this fall.That's all well and good, but who could have anticipated the sheer number of discrepancies and problems that have arisen from these simple perks? Different retailers are handling the distribution of codes differently, there are gaping holes in the system that allow for exploitation, players are reporting on bunk codes, orcs and dwarves living together, mass hysteria! Having navigated this minefield ourselves in the quest for that delicious artbook, we thought we'd give you a bit of a rundown on the situation.
Retailers aren't wasting anytime dropping HD DVD
Analyst have suspected that much of this has been in the works since Warner went Blu and VB has given a number of retailers a call and discovered that this is just the case. It seems most retailers have been preparing for the end of the format war since Warner's announcement just before CES, but now that things are officially over, retailers aren't wasting any time. Some of the big boys in retail like Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Netflix, were quick to make their intentions known before Toshiba gave the word, but the rest are falling in line quickly and we're not just talking about Amazon and DVD Empire, but smaller retailers around the country like Texas electronics store Bjorn's which is getting more creative and allowing its customers to return HD DVD players for store credit towards a Blu-ray player. Some retailers immediately returned its stock for credit while others have marked it as clearance and are quick to communicate to its customers that HD DVD is to be discontinued. Whatever the plans, one thing is for sure, most retailers knew this was coming long before some HD DVD fans did.[Via Format War Central]
The one American store with daily Wii shipments
While most stores in this country (and abroad) simply can't meet demand for the Wii this holiday season, there is one store that seems to have no problem getting the systems in stock. GameDaily reports that the Nintendo World store in New York City's Rockefeller Center gets new shipments of the Wii every morning. The GameDaily reporter says that, on two recent visits, the store had "at least 20 [Wiis] lined up behind the main counter. Just Wii boxes waiting for the next person in line."Well, either that reporter had some good timing or the word has gotten out among New York's Nintendo fans, because WCBS Radio reports that 200 people were camped outside the store in the early morning before opening this Tuesday. One waiting New Yorker told the interviewer that she had ventured all the way out to Richmond, Va. to try and find a system. We bet Greenpeace would blame Nintendo for all the gas burned on the trip, too.For those of you who can't quite make it to New York City, you can always try using ZapTXT to alert you the moment when your local store gets shipments. Remember: nice guys finish last, so don't be afraid to break all local traffic laws speeding to the store upon receiving word. Godspeed, good shoppers.Read - Nintendo World gets daily WiisListen - Lines outside the storeRead - ZapTXT Wii alerts
Slew of retailers to carry TV converter boxes; coupon requests open in 2008
Yeah, we pretty much expected every big box retailer known to man to carry these things, but just in case you were worried about locating a TV converter box in preparation for the upcoming cutover, here's some comforting news. Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Target, Sears and Sam's Club are all on the list to carry equipment necessary for analog TV owners to receive OTA programming after February 2009, and just in case one of the aforementioned giants aren't anywhere near you, around 100 more smaller retailers have been certified to stock 'em. Also of note, you can start the new year off right by reminding your great grandparents (or other family members, too) that they can go on and apply for up to two coupons -- which should arrive around six weeks later -- worth $40 apiece to purchase the required boxes. Or, of course, you could just pick them up a new television this holiday season and be done with it.[Via BroadcastingCable]
Survey says women patronized by pink tech
Normally we don't go in for the whole "listening to what surveys say" thing, but when it comes to the cause of questioning the logic behind endless lines of pink gadgets designed to appeal to the female "market," we'll gladly pass on the criticism. There's a clear British slant to the story -- the survey was commissioned by Saatchi and Saatchi after all -- and it would be ludicrous to say that all women find pink / diamond encrusted gadgets and the atmosphere in gadget retail stores patronizing, but it's clear that the technology industry is tipped towards satisfying male buyers. To prevent this post from collapsing into a psychoanalysis of the gender associations with the color pink, we'll open this up to the floor. Gadgets + pink = perfectly ok, or totally patronizing?
