PlayStation 3 Shipment Halved

PlayStation 3 North America shipment

When Sony’s PlayStation 3 launched North America last week, at least one analyst claims that the shipment numbers were cut in half.

“After further review, our research indicates that Sony’s PS3 opening weekend shipments were below our already lowered expectations,” explained PJ McNealy of American Technology Research. 

“To be crystal clear, we don’t expect it likely that SNE will update any of its hardware numbers before it reports its December quarter in late January. We believe that the December NPD report of North American November retail hardware is shaping up to be 125k to 175k, but outside of NPD and other local (Japan) market reports, we expect SNE to remain mum and focus on delivering units to retail.”

Thankfully, Sony has until March to get their production numbers in order for the Europe launch.

Source: GameDaily BIZ

Microsoft’s Zune Is Made For Squirting

I was recently informed that squirting is apparently a growing phenomena among users of Microsoft’s Zune. 

Apparently, I am out of the loop when it comes to this relatively new but fascinating process.  Or at least, that’s what Tianna Lynn told me the other day.  How embarrassing.

Here’s how the process is described in the latest issue of Newsweek:

What’s a song-squirt? It’s the first, and currently the only, application of the wireless connectivity built into every Zune. Squirting is a tune-sharing feature that works like this: with built-in Wi-Fi, your Zune can alert you to every other Zune within 10 meters, to which you can then send a song (or a podcast or a photo). If the potential recipient accepts the tune, in 10 or 15 seconds it’s in his or her Zune.

The catch is that the squirt is fast-drying—in three days it goes away. Or, if the recipient plays it three times within that period, it evaporates after the third spin. This is because Microsoft cut a lousy deal with the record labels, which still regard innovative digital schemes as potential piracy threats. My guess is that people will be turned off because the songs expire so quickly.

It saddens me that in this day and age, such things as benign as squirting have to be restricted.   Hopefully we can eventually live in a world where a person can squirt whenever they want and for as long as they please.   

 

HD-DVD Vs. Blu-ray Requires Patience

It’s textbook irony: consumers went from having zero high definition DVD formats to having to choose between two that hit the market at approximately the same time.  So which should we choose this holiday season, Blu-ray or HD-DVD?   And for gaming consoles, the question translates into PS3 or Xbox 360?

DVD guru Dan Diotte advises to pick neither.

“You don’t have to decide yet”, said Mr. Diotte in a recent release. “History has taught us that only one of these formats is going to come out on top, and consumers who choose the wrong product will lose money, time, and, of course, quality home viewing entertainment. Wait to make this significant purchase until after the holidays, and after one of the two options appear to be leading the way to the next level of home entertainment.”

Here’s his reasoning:

There is no guarantee that either HD-DVD or Blu Ray will be the clear leader a year from now.

If consumers invest in one format, and it goes away, they will lose their investment and need to re-purchase a player, discs, accessories, etc.

A universal console may be developed soon after the holidays, allowing consumers to enjoy both of the new format options.

Regardless of which player ‘wins’ the format war, maintenance and repair of current disc collections ( DVDs, CDs, Video Games, data storage) is essential. The new discs will contain so much condensed information; they will be incredibly susceptible to dirt, scratches, and damage to the integrity of the disc.

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