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Target Ticked at Apple/Disney iTunes Deal
The Business section of the CentreDaily reports that Target may pull its Disney-based in-store promotions. In a nutshell, Target doesn't like that Disney is selling movies at the iTunes store for less than it charges brick & mortar retailers. Supposedly Target has already removed displays for Cars. In retaliation, Disney may not ship "Dead Man's Chest" DVDs to Target. Now, now boys. Can't we just all get along? As for me, I saw Cars at Walmart for just over 13 bucks and snatched up a copy rather than download the $12.99 version at iTunes, which I'd actually been planning to do. iTunes may cost less, but you don't get that nifty actual disk and all the extras. (Of course, you don't get all the stupid can't-forward-through-the-FBI-warnings either.)
Wii demonstration kiosks now at Target
One of our readers was recently in Target and saw the above Wii demonstration kiosk. It is very much like other, non-playable kiosks we have seen in various retail outlets such as Wal-Mart where, instead of game demos, there is a constant video loop playing that describes the Wii and shows one how to play its games. Undoubtedly designed to get those who might otherwise be uninterested or in the dark about the console looking its way, we've personally seen a few people stopping to check it out.[Thanks Author X!]
Hack your Wii GiftCard
So you've got one of them nifty Wii GiftCards, do ya? Don't feel bad, neither do we. But from what we've read, the little Target card can be used to buy anything in the store, which doesn't really have much to do with the Wii other than to promote it. If you press the power button on the top of the card, the sides light up like a Christmas tree (that is, assuming your Christmas tree glows solid blue for 10 seconds). Well, those crazy cats at Instructables have put together a series of instructions as to how to disassemble this card, and what you might be able to do with it if you did. They discovererd exactly what types of timers, resistors and batteries are in this little number, and gave some suggestions as to what to do with 'em, including changing the LED colors, altering the logos on the top, or our favorite: attaching a lanyard. Because if you're going to go to the trouble of taking apart a card like this, nothing says classy geek style like a lanyard. [Via MAKE: Blog]
PS3 launch shipments restricted to top 5 retailers?
According to a memo obtained by GameDaily BIZ from smaller video game chain Rhino Video Games, Sony has "decided to limit the supply of hardware (systems and accessories) to its top five volume retailers (Wal-Mart, Target, etc.)" on the November 17 launch day. However, we know of at least seven major retailers receiving PlayStation 3 units on launch day. In addition to Target and Wal-Mart, we know GameStop / EB Games, Best Buy, Circuit City, Sears and Toys 'R' Us are having PS3s on launch day. We know supplies will be very limited and GameStop won't be fulfilling all of its PS3 pre-orders (already conservative figures).That smaller retail chains will not have PS3s on launch day is not that surprising, but only the "top five retailers" is wrong and makes the memo a bit suspect. Rhino Video Games will not be getting PS3s on launch day -- a fact reaffirmed on its website -- the rest is not true. Rest assured, there will be PS3s for sale at all retailers by the end of 2007. We hope.
Exclusive Target Wii DVD for only a penny
Joystiq was checking out the games section of Target today, and we stumbled across a massive display of these Wii DVDs, stuck in the middle of the Wii accessories rack. It looked like a freebie, but the cashier told us it was a penny. Then she boggled at the price on screen and asked a manager. The manager was also puzzled, then shrugged her shoulders and said, "Wow. A penny?" Four dollars later, it was ours (we bought some beef jerky).What do you expect for a penny? What you get is a white plastic (did Nintendo just get tired of colors or what?) DVD snapcase (hey, that's worth a penny at least), and inside is a disc emblazoned with GAME TRAILERS ONLY -- GAMES NOT INCLUDED. Well, dur. We feel sorry for the poor sap who races home with this thing, and then not only discovers that the Wii won't play DVDs, but they don't even have a Wii because it hasn't come out yet.Anyhow, it's a nice collection of trailers, behind the scenes videos, and screenshots for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam. Check out the doppelgangers from The O.C. in the video after the jump playing Marvel and tossing popcorn around. You too can party like this, just hook yourself up with a Wii and wait for the party to go off the chain. Plus, you'll get to use the line "Hey, wanna check out my Wii?" over and over again.
Forget Best Buy, head to Sears for the PS3 launch
On Nov. 17, everyone and their mother will likely be descending on big video game retailers like Best Buy, Circuit City and Toys "R" Us to try and pick up an unreserved PlayStation 3. But after breaking down some demographic and retail data, Gaming Target thinks that more obscure locations like Sears, K-mart, and CompUSA might be a better bet for anticipatory gamers.While long lines at a big box retailer like Target are almost sure to gobble up the ten or so launch units available at each store, a specialty retailer like FYE that doesn't heavily advertise video games might have some units left over. And while most people know warehouse clubs like BJ's and Sam's for carrying 50 pound bags of cat food, members could also benefit from their little-known video game sales.Of course, now that this recommendation is out on the web, people may leave the popular stores to line up at the once-obscure retailers, thus leaving Best Buy and company near deserted come launch day. Or maybe people will read the previous sentence and head over to the big guys because they think everyone else is heading to the smaller retailers. Is there a game theory expert in the house?
Grab Gears at Target, get 3 months of Live
If you haven't already reserved your copy of Gears of War, Target is offering 3 months of Live Gold with a pre-order of the Gears of War collector's edition. Effectively, this means the collector's edition will net you the collector's tin, bonus DVD, art book, and 3 months of Live for 10 extra bones. Not too shabby. The offer expires November 8th, so get it while the gettin's good. If you weren't planning on the collector's edition before, will 3 months of Live sweeten the pot?[Thanks, delerious]
Bullseye: find out your local Target's Wii allocation [update 2]
We salute you, unnamed Target employee who leaks internal documents and places his own livelihood at risk in the process. Courtesy said nameless hero, the specific number of Wii units headed to each outlet has been (supposedly) revealed.Instructions: head to this forum page and find your local store. Note its specific store number, then head to the previous page and cross-check your store number in the list. The second-to-last number in the line will be the number of units received by that store. The internet loves you, you know. In lieu of searching confusing forum page posts, just head here, type in your area code, and view the convenient results that spew forth from yon servers. It'll return several stores in the area, weighted by both proximity and number of Wii units available.Some math reveals that the average number of Wii units per store is close to 46, a decent stock indeed. We know it'll be difficult come launch day, but with perseverance and and the ability to resist biting cold, you'll get your console yet.[Thanks, Antibot and Elliott!][Update 1: Added better "Wii Finder" app]
Rumor: On Target Wii numbers
A Target employee posted a list he claims is the number of Wii launch units at Target stores. The post reads like a ridiculously long list of random numbers. The only two numbers you'll care about is the first one and the second to last number. The first tells you the store number, which can easily be found by calling your local Target, and the second to last number is how many units they will receive.If you aren't into getting all DaVinci Code, there is also the option of using a "Wii Searching Doohickey." It says you can search by area code, you can also try putting in the closest major city, either way it's wonky -- try the DaVinci Code route. [Thanks to all those that sent this in]
Target hooks us up yet again
One of our readers was visiting his local Seattle, WA area Target store recently and stumbled upon a DVD for sale at the low cost of only a penny. This DVD, which features game trailers for both Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam for the Wii, is titled Living the Game with the Wii and Activision. With the combination of the Wii gift card, it seems like Target has caught the fever the rest of us are suffering from.Anyone else see this in their local Target? Can anyone confirm how many trailers are on this disc?[Thanks mykie!]
Glowing Wii gift cards courtesy of Target
As you can see, the Wii theme gift card from Target lights up with a very fast and very furious blue glow, leaving us to wonder if it is even worth giving away as the card is just too sweet to use. We haven't personally gone to any Target stores to see if we can score one of these sweet gift cards, but we're sure if we go in and see the endcaps, then all should be smooth sailing.Anyone else plan on buying the gift card as a gift ... to themselves?[Thanks Lloyd!]
An elusive Wii endcap spotted in the wild
One of our excellent readers wrote us to tell of his latest trip to Target. While we love to hear from each and every one of you, while traversing the aisles in your local grocery store deciding which jelly spread you're going to get this week (we assume you eat a lot of jelly) or how you were beaten to that excellent parking spot at work this morning, but what makes this story so important is that this fine reader sent us in snapshots of a Wii endcap and its contents.Included in the post, after the break, are large shots of the Wii endcap found in the wild, along with a close-up shot of the Wii dogtags and pin set available for purchase.[Thanks macphisto!]
Target whines to major studios about online movie sales
If you can't beat 'em, complain about 'em. That seems to be the mantra of Wal-Mart, and now Target, both mega-retailers who seem to have given up the fight with video download retailers before it begins. The latter of the pair has come public with its objections to movie price schemes, calling them less expensive than DVDs, and busting out the vague threat that Target "would reconsider its investment in the DVD business" if the pricing didn't level out. Somehow, we can't quite muster much sympathy for the whiny retailer, given the fact that the online prices are hardly bargains, the resolution is lower, the special features are non-existent, and the market is still teensy tiny. Walt Disney Co. has apparently pointed most of this out to Target already, and since they've gone ahead with their open letter to the industry, we suppose it didn't do much good. Still, we've got a good feeling about market pressures pushing through full-blown online movie sales at decent prices within, oh, let's say the next decade or two, no matter how much "investment reconsidering" Target does in the meantime.
Target gets ready for Wii mania
What's next, holiday merchandise? Oh, wait, that stuff's already up in many stores. Guess we shouldn't be too surprised then that some Target stores are setting aside space for the Wii despite the long (and sadly empty) weeks remaining until release day. Have you seen something similar at Target -- or any other store? Let us know! Take some pictures, tell a story, grab a video -- whatever works for you. Just be careful about taking pictures when and where it's not welcome. We wouldn't want you to have to throw down just for us.
Buy a DS Lite, help cure cancer
Dying for one of those precious new (in the U.S., at least) pink DS Lites? You've waited just long enough to contribute to a good cause by buying one. Through October 7, Target stores will be donating 100% -- yep, that's everything -- of their profits from the sales of pink DS Lites to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This is a good week to snag that early Christmas gift ... or guys, surprise your girlfriends, sisters, or nieces with a cute new DS, and if anyone complains about the cost, just tell 'em that's the price of being a hero.[Thanks, juicebytim!]
Target selling pre-bricked 360s?
Target markets the red ring of death for the "low price" $399.99. Presumably, this is an amusing error on their part and not a new, doorstop-ready SKU.[Thanks Steve]
Pacific Rim Technologies' iPod-ready JukeBox Station
Okay, so you're terrified to even leave your own home with your iPod, let alone take it on a stroll downtown, which leaves you with a portable media player that's stuck in the house, right? If this is you, fret not -- Pacific Rim Technologies has crafted the ultimate in-home (or bar, gameroom, café, etc.) accessory for your little Apple with the iPod-ready JukeBox Station. Standing a full one meter tall and weighing in at 55 pounds, this 72 watt sound system could technically be lumped in as just another speaker station that's "made for iPod," especially considering the built-in dock connector and included adapters to suit every dock-rocking iPod ever produced. But alas, this device demands a bit more respect than the little guys; this beast has 5 drivers, including a 6-inch subwoofer, 2 mid-range speakers, and 2 tweeters, an LED lighting system to add that oh-so-familiar jukebox ambiance, "17 function IR remote," RCA / 3.5mm inputs for alternate DAPs, video-out, and even a lockable window to ensure the tunes don't come to an abrupt stop care of a desperate party-goer. While we doubt the overall quality here will be anything above average (it'll be sold through Target, which isn't exactly known for its high-fidelity offerings), we doubt the signal-to-noise ratio is the focal point here, and though this jukebox isn't coin-operated, it'll cost you $699 -- or 2,796 quarters -- when it drops in October.[Via iLounge]
Phoenix Wright stock replenished August 10th
Look, we try not to judge anyone, but we honestly feel that if you don't own, or haven't at least played Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, then you do not deserve to work here. Pack up your desk, don't bother to finish out the week, it's over, we're through, goodbye. Wait...we can't fire you, can we? Well then, we're no longer BFF, so how about them apples?!You can put a stop to this madness, however, by simply taking the opportunity to purchase Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney once it comes back to retail shelves. Amazon and Target are already taking preorders, so there's that option. Or you could set foot out into the deadly wilderness and brave the vast amounts of nature (see: grizzly bears) in order to procure a copy at your brick-and-mortar outlet of choice.[Thanks Mitchel!]
Limited edition iTunes gift cards at Target
Limited edition iTunes Music Store gift cards that you can collect and trade with your friends? That's right, and they're exclusively available [Ed. note: this link is now broken, sorry for the inconvenience] at Target. Cards featuring Jewel, Kanye West, James Blunt, Mariah Carey, Hoobastank, Dixie Chicks, and Panic! at the Disco have custom artwork and grant you access to exclusive bonus material. The rest of the 13 cards have custom artwork though, sadly, no super cool extra material. All the cards come in $15 denominations and are available now. [via iLounge]
Target discontinues UMD movies
With dwindling Hollywood support and anemic sales dragging it down already, the UMD format is unlikely to be pleased by news that all Target stores will cease selling films stored on the proprietary PSP format. Though UMD games are quite safe, this latest move is likely to cast further doubt on the format's viability in the realm of movies. Those looking to place blame will likely find some good targets in the pricing of the discs, the general lack of bonus features compared to their DVD counterparts and the fact that for Universal Media Discs, they aren''t very "universal" at all. One retailer's move is hardly a death knell for UMD movies, but perhaps the PSP would be better off by forgetting Hollywood and shoving its solid games library (which has made great strides in the last few months) back into the spotlight. Of course, those already enamored by portable movies should probably rush to their nearest Target before the shelves are empty and the format forgotten. Here are some of the titles you might want to remember it by (all chosen at random, of course): Cheaper by the Dozen Crash Cruel Intentions Cursed Doom Dumb and Dumber Gone in 60 Seconds Never Die Alone [Via PSP Fanboy]
