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Save $50 on new Xbox 360, get $50 gift card
A number of retailers are offering Xbox 360 bundles for $50 off. Among those participating in the deal are GameStop and Walmart, while picking up a new Xbox 360 from Target, Best Buy or Amazon will net you an additional $50 gift card on top of saving $50 on select bundles. The $200 Kinect-less 4 GB Xbox 360 is not included in the deal, but the Nike+ Kinect Training bundle is, along with other packages that include games such as Darksiders 2 and Batman: Arkham City. The sale is for a limited time, though no end date is listed at any of the retailers.
Target also selling the iPhone 5c for $79.99 on-contract, now accepting pre-orders
We've already seen Walmart undercut Apple by selling the iPhone 5c for less than the MSRP right out of the gate, but it turns out it's not the only retailer offering a deal. Target's also selling the 16GB version for $79.99 on a two-year contract from your choice of carrier, offering a savings of $20. You'll still pay the same $199.99 for the 32GB model, though, and there's no similar discount to be found on the iPhone 5s, either (Walmart has knocked it down ten bucks to $189). You'll find that price in store tomorrow, or you can get your pre-order in on Target's website now.
Target's Ticket video on-demand service launching soon
If you can't get enough digital video storefronts, there's one more on the way -- Target's Ticket service. The video on-demand service has been in closed beta for awhile now, and, according to TechCrunch, employees have been told that it will be launching to the public soon. Prices vary by program, but TV episodes cost around $2.99, or as much as $34.99 per season. Movies sell for about $15, give or take a few bucks, and rentals are $3.99 and $4.99, which closely matches the prices of Google Play, Amazon and iTunes. The use model is familiar too, granting users 30 days to activate a rental and 48 hours to watch after pressing play the first time. The service is only available for the company's employees and REDcard holders at the moment, but Target hopes to open access to more customers soon. Apps for Android, iOS, smart TVs and game consoles are in testing too, so you should be able to watch virtually anywhere. The retail giant is offering a few flicks for purchase ahead of home video too, so if you're impatient, yet somehow missed Star Trek: Into Darkness in the theater, now is the time to buddy up to a redshirt.
Rumor: Wii U 32GB bundle with Wind Waker HD incoming
A purported Target retail listing suggests a new 32GB Wii U bundle is on the way, and that it includes The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. Word comes from Destructoid, which claims a source at retailer Target shared some listings from the company's internal tracking system. The Destructoid source pegs the new console at $349.99, the same price as the 32GB console offered now at retail. That same source also claims Nintendo will offer two special 3DS XL bundles that include a copy of Pokemon X/Y for $199.99. And though no launch date was provided for these proposed bundles, we'd assume Nintendo is eyeing October – that's when both Pokemon games and Wind Waker HD will launch.
Rumor: Leaked Target ad shows Vita for $200
The PlayStation Vita's price may be coming down in the near future, providing a leaked Target ad by the Blu-Ray Forum is accurate. The ad, a snippet of which can be seen above, shows a $200 price point for the system. The standard retail price for the WiFi-only Vita is $250, while the 3G-enabled Vita is $300. Japan received a price cut for the system in February, which was followed by Sony Worldwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida saying that North American players would not see the same price drop. Whether this ad indicates a permanent price drop is on the way is unclear, though it's just a matter of time before we know for sure; the ad is reportedly for the week of August 18 through August 24.
Target offering free gift card with iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Apple TV purchase
The discount department store Target is offering a free gift card with the purchase of several Apple products this week. As first noticed by 9to5 Mac, Target's weekly circular is offering gift cards ranging from US$10-$50 with the purchase of various iOS devices and the Apple TV. 9to5 Mac states that some Target locations aren't offering free gift cards on the entire line of iOS devices, but we found that most of the gift cards are available via purchases made on Target's online store. Here are the deals: Buy an iPad with Retina display and get a $50 Target gift card. Buy an iPad mini and get a $40 Target gift card. Buy an iPhone 5 and get a $25 Target gift card. (It's not clear if an in-store purchase is required with this one) Buy an fifth-generation iPod touch and get a $20 Target gift card. Buy an Apple TV and get a $10 Target gift card. The free gift card promotion ends at 11:59 PM ET on Saturday, July 13th.
Target offering magic cards with Skylanders Swap Force pre-order
Activision has announced that Target will be passing out magic cards with pre-orders for the upcoming Skylanders Swap Force. Portalmasters who pre-order the game at Target will get an exclusive physical trading card that grants upgrades in the game when placed on the new Portal of Power. Swap Force's marquee feature is that it uses characters with two parts that can be mixed and matched, but these specially branded trading cards will work as well. There's also an ongoing deal (at all retailers) that grants a free "Lightcore Hex" Skylanders Giants character when you pre-order a starter pack. This Giants character, like all of the other characters in the series so far, can also be used to play through Swap Force content. If you're a parent of younger children, it's also something else for you to trip over.
Wii U Basic going for $240 at Target
Target is currently offering the 8GB Wii U Basic at $239.99, one of the lowest prices if not the lowest price we've seen from a major North American retailer. Put your calculators away: that's 20 percent off the normal price of $300. Back in March, Best Buy put the Wii U Basic on sale at $250 for a couple of days. The Wii U fell below targets In Nintendo's year-end financials, coming in at 3.45 million shipped worldwide as of March 31. According to the estimates of Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter, aka the Pachter-tron, the Wii U sold 55,000 units in the US last month.
Assassin's Creed 4 retailer pre-order bonuses revealed
Though Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag launches later this year, North American retailers are vying for your dollars today by announcing a slew of retailer-specific pre-order bonuses. GameStop has the 'Black Island' pack, which includes the deadly black ship, a Captain Morgan costume and his silver flintlock pistol. Amazon.com will offer the 'Hidden Mystery' pack, an extra treasure-hunting mission on Mystery Island, Stede Bonnet's ship and Sted Bonnet costumes and multiplayer items. Walmart gets the 'Sacrificed Secrets' pack, a collection centered around Captain Drake that includes his dual-wield swords and pistols, plus his picture, title and relics. Best Buy has the 'Lost Treasures' pack, an ivory wheel and spyglass relic, and Target gets the 'Trove of Mystery' pack, which includes an iron wheel and astrolab relic. Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag launches on the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U and PC on October 29. Next-generation console ports of Assassin's Creed 4 are also planned. All UK pre-orders get access to "The Watch" app.
Blood Pact: WoL, 'locks, and damage done
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill wants to coin WoL'lock, but isn't sure if she should. Last week, I started off with some basics of World of Logs (WoL) regarding warlocks. I started to write a column to go spec by spec, but later I realized that might become a game of find and replace with the different buffs or DoTs important to each spec. So instead, this week is another general World of Logs lesson with a little more specific caster DPS focus with warlock flavor. We'll just build up to the nitty gritty spells next week.
Call of Duty: Ghosts listed at multiple retailers for PS3, Xbox 360
Call of Duty: Ghosts emerges from the darkness thanks to Target and UK retailer Tesco, with the former advertising a release date of November 5. Meanwhile, a Tesco listing notes a release date of December 30 - early November is the traditional Call of Duty ETA. The box art posted on Tesco (see below the break for a snippet) features Infinity Ward's logo.We know (as if we didn't before) that Activision has another edition of its shooter series slated for this year. "The Call of Duty franchise continues to set the bar for innovation," company CFO Dennis Durkin said during Activision's February earnings call, "And we expect the new Call of Duty game in development for 2013 to raise that bar even higher."We've reached out to Activision for comment.
Ouya comes to retail in June
The Ouya officially launches in June, and several retailers are lined up to sell the wee Android console both online and in physical stores. Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop are all taking pre-orders starting today, with the console plus controller priced at $99.99, and an extra controller $49.99.Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Ouya CEO Julie Uhrman said Kickstarter backers get their orders delivered in March, pre-order deliveries go out in April, and June sees the official launch. When asked about other console launches coming this year, Uhrman said the aim is for Ouya to find its own place in the market, and not to outdo the likes of Microsoft and Sony."We don't need to beat Xbox or Sony or any console that enters the marketplace," Uhrman told the Wall Street Journal, "We need to carve out our own niche. Ouya offers a very different value proposition to the gaming you can currently experience. It's a box designed specifically for the television that leverages the screen, we support 3D gaming, HD, we support the controller, we added a touchpad to the controller. The kind of content you'll see on Ouya, it'll be inventive and creative and has never been on the television."
OUYA will come to stores for $99 in June after Kickstarter, online pre-orders ship
Whether you missed out on the OUYA console's initial Kickstarter frenzy, (and still open pre-order window) or are just waiting around to see what kind of games are available on the Android box this spring, it should still be easy to find one very soon. The company has announced that it will be available at retailers including Amazon, GameStop, Target and Best Buy for $99.99 this June, with pre-orders opening up later today. CEO Julie Uhrman informed the Wall Street Journal's Digits blog that additional controllers would be priced at $49.99 alongside the consoles at its official launch in June, with a "large suite" of gaming titles. She declined to reveal the exact number of systems already ordered, but proudly pointed to the OUYA as a box that will inventive and creative content that has never before been seen on television.
Facebook introduces 'a new type of gift card,' is a lot like the old types
If you're still desperate to get that Facebook acquaintance something for their birthday or some kind of anniversary, the Social Network has instituted a new way to take your money give. You'll be able to pick up gift credit for the likes of Jamba Juice, Olive Garden, Sephora and Target, plucking what you'd like from the "gift cards and digital" category inside the existing Gifts tab, and stating an amount and the name of the lucky gift-getter. The friend will be immediately notified and a lovingly Facebook-branded card will be sent to their residence. The credit can be used immediately, reused and even hold multiple balances for the differing providers -- ideal for the times you need fragrances, electronics and ... olives. Balances can be monitored direct from your Facebook page or app, even updating and sending notifications when credit is being used. Facebook says the cards will roll-out gradually across the US, though wasn't specific on any launch regions. Expect to hear more in the next few days.
RadioShack's Target Mobile partnership to end on April 8th (update: Target picks new partners)
If you're planning on waltzing into a Target store and picking up a cellphone with a monthly plan, you only have until April 8th to do so. RadioShack, which operates Target Mobile in 1,500 Target stores, has come to an agreement with its fellow retailer to end the relationship, effective April 8, 2013. The duo says they're parting ways on amicable terms since they couldn't strike a new deal -- which they've been hoping to hammer out since October -- that would make the business profitable for each party. For those whose fancies are struck by pay-as-you-go solutions, Target's prepaid mobile business won't be affected by the deal. Update: Target let us know that Target Mobile will continue offering phones and service past April thanks to a new partnership with Brightstar and MarketSource. Also, the retailer assures us that phone service for existing customers is slated to continue uninterrupted during the transition. Hit the jump for the full press release. [Image credit: Roadsidepictures, Flickr]
Target agrees to price match Amazon 'year round,' hopes you'll stop showrooming
The CE pricing war just got really real. Gregg Steinhafel, Target's chairman, president and CEO, just announced a move that'll undoubtedly get the attention of Amazon. And while we're at it, the attention of Walmart, Sears, Best Buy, and practically every other major brick-and-mortar retailer that it competes with. Following Best Buy's move -- which saw the retailer price match Amazon during the holiday 2012 shopping season -- Target is taking it one step further by announcing that it'll match Amazon's prices year round. Naturally, the goal here is to put a stop to "showrooming," a term that describes the act of using B&M stores simply to ogle products before buying them for less online. Details on how it'll all work out, including an official start date, remain under wraps, but we're told that if a customer "buys a qualifying item at Target and then finds an identical item for less in the following week's Target circular or within seven days on either Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com and Toysrus.com, Target will match the price." It's not at all unreasonable to assume that Wally World and the like will end up following suit, but a part of us worries that this may end up having the opposite effect -- if Amazon's pricing begin to float higher in order to meet somewhere in the middle with B&M retailers, consumers will end up with fewer options when it comes to saving.
Exclusive Epic Mickey 2 PS3 hardware bundles at Target
A new PS3 bundle available only at Target gets you the system and Move controller you'll need to play J.S. Joust (assuming the Sportsfriends Kickstarter is a success!) and throws in Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Illusion for good measure.The $300 bundle comes with a 250GB PS3, a copy of the game, a Move, a Navigation Controller, a PS Eye camera, and 30 days of PlayStation Plus. We didn't find Epic Mickey 2 to be strong enough to anchor a bundle, but the character is at least more recognizable than, say, Infamous guy.
Skype launches gift cards, lets parents drop hints to distant kids
Many empty-nester parents would like nothing more than to hear from their kids every now and then. For them, Skype's new gift cards might be the perfect not-so-subtle clue: both digital and physical cards are going on sale today that offer $10 or more in credit, either for the company's time-honored VoIP calling or (if need be) some Skype WiFi at the airport. Only online versions are customizable, although Americans who want something tangible can swing by the Microsoft Store, OfficeMax or Target. Skype's already brought prepaid credit to Mexico and the UK, but the cards should be more than welcome gift options for anyone who would otherwise have to spring for a prepaid phone card -- just be prepared for more heart-to-heart chats than usual if you're on the receiving end.
Black Friday sales net some good deals on iPads
We're 10 days away from Thanksgiving in the US, but a number of stores already have released their Black Friday specials, many actually starting on Thanksgiving itself. If you're looking for an iPad as a gift to someone else or yourself, and you're willing to brave the Black Friday crowds, check out the following deals for a good bargain: Walmart 16 GB WiFi iPad 2 with free $75 gift card: If your store of choice is Walmart, you'll pay full price for the iPad 2, but get a $75 gift card in return. That'll bring the total down to $325, which is $6 higher than the current price of a refurbished 16 GB WiFi iPad 2 from Apple. Walmart has labeled the iPad 2 as a one-hour stock guarantee from 10 PM to 11 PM on Thanksgiving. If the store runs out of stock, you can purchase a guarantee card that ensures the iPad will ship to the same store for pickup for Christmas. Also at 10 PM Thursday, you can get a 16 GB iPod touch for $195. Target $60 gift card with the purchase of any iPad: If you're wanting a gift card in return for getting a current-generation iPad or iPad 2, Target is the place to go. However, as shown above, the offer is not good for an iPad mini. So, if you're wanting to save $60 on that model, you're out of luck. Other Apple deals from Target include 10 percent off Smart Covers and Smart Cases, a $20 gift card with the purchase of an iPod nano, and $499.99 for a contract-free iPhone 4S and $399.99 for a contract-free iPhone 4 on Virgin Mobile. Best Buy Save $40-$60 off an iPad with Retina display or iPad 2: In addition to a marked-down iPad 2, Best Buy also will have a 16 GB iPod nano for $144.99 with a $20 gift card in return, a $194.99 16 GB iPod touch with a $50 gift card in return, and you can get a $100 iTunes gift card for $80. There are also a couple of savings on MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs.
Target's Black Friday deals include 360, PS3, Wii, Vita and 3DS bundles, various discounted miscellany
Look, we're not your parents. We're not going to sit here, high upon our internet throne and tell you what you can and can't do. Even if we did discourage you from putting yourself in a potentially trample-prone environment, you'd still do it for dat savings. Take Target's Black Friday deals, for example. These scanned pages reveal PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 bundles with two games each for $200, as well as a free copy of Just Dance Kids 2 with the purchase of a $120 Wii bundle. Vita and 3DS bundles (with one game each) are available for $200 and $150 respectively, while PS3, 360 and Wii controllers cost $40 and a bonus $20 giftcard is included in the purchase of Halo 4, Assassin's Creed 3 or Forza Horizon. You can even get Adele's irrelevant first album for $5, or one of those cool magnadoodle thingies for half a sawbuck.Whatever you do on Black Friday, just, you know, be safe. You're our precious little darling babies and we don't want anything to happen to you.
