Help Matt With College

Matt's take on interesting news.

Sony Cuts PlayStation 3 Prices as Many Xboxes Fail

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/09/business/09sony.html

Facing slower-than-expected sales of its PlayStation 3 video game system, Sony said it would announce Monday that it planned to lower the price of its console in the United States by $100, to $500, effective Thursday. The lower price of the 60-gigabyte device comes as a rival system, the Microsoft Xbox 360, is inundated with reports of widespread product failures. Microsoft announced last week that it would spend up to $1.15 billion to repair the machines.

My View: While this may increase the PlayStation's sales, the Xbox already has a huge market share and there is no way that people are willing to dish out an additional $500 plus accessories for a new console just because they won't be able to play their Xbox for a few weeks when they send it back. Plus, with the release of Halo 3 coming, many people will be buying the new Xbox just for the game. I don't see Microsoft having any problems other than all of the cash they have to dish out for the repairs.

Labels: , ,

:: Permanent Link :: Posted 7/10/2007 :: 0 Comments :: Links to this post ::

Chiefs Defend Slow Network for the iPhone

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/technology/29phone.html

On the eve of the Apple iPhone's sale, the top executives of Apple and AT&T defended their decision to rely upon AT&T's slow Edge wireless data network, rather than a faster network that is less widely available. Apple's chief, Steven P. Jobs, saw the choice of network as a trade-off. Early reviews of the iPhone, while positive, have faulted the slower network because it will limit the palm-size wireless computers greatest strength - making the Internet easily accessible on the go.

My View: This is one thing that upsets me about companies today... they have no vision beyond the world of today. First of all, why on Earth is AT&T developing their own cellular and high-speed networks when standards like 3G have large support bases all over the world (minus the US). Secondly, why on Earth would Apple not support AT&T's faster network (as proprietary as it is)? Steve Jobs reasoned that people could use Wi-Fi connections for faster internet access, but as he argued against using the 3G standard, who is going to find a free Wi-Fi network in Ottumwa, Iowa? Silliness, I say, total silliness. One day cellphones will be like computers where you have a little bit of choice over these kinds of standards.

Labels: , , , ,

:: Permanent Link :: Posted 6/29/2007 :: 0 Comments :: Links to this post ::

The iPhone's features: What's new, what's not

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9733965-1.html

Unless you've cut yourself off from all media access this year, you know that on Friday, June 29 Apple will release its iPhone with AT&T. Ever since the device's unveiling last January, the tech world has been running in circles asking what the iPhone will be like, what it will do, and how it will do it. But because Apple hasn't been the leakiest of faucets when it comes to specs, the hype has resulted in a lot of speculation instead.

My View: Apple has definitely outdone themselves. To know that there are people standing in lines for a $500 cellphone is quite impressive. You typically see this kind of behavior for video game consoles. Upon reading the article, I found that while the iPhone doesn't actually have too many new innovations, it's the ease of use that Apple worked on. As you probably know by now, I'm not much of an Apple fan, but if this phone really is as packed with features yet as easy to use as they say, I will definitely have to give Apple a bit more attention.

Labels: , , ,

:: Permanent Link :: Posted 6/27/2007 :: 1 Comments :: Links to this post ::

Beam It Down From the Web, Scotty

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/07/technology/07copy.html

Sometimes a particular piece of plastic is just what you need. You have lost the battery cover to your cellphone, perhaps. Or your daughter needs to have the golden princess doll she saw on television. Now. In a few years, it will be possible to make these items yourself. You will be able to download three-dimensional plans online, then push Print. Hours later, a solid object will be ready to remove from your printer.

My View: Two words... super cool.

Labels: , ,

:: Permanent Link :: Posted 5/07/2007 :: 0 Comments :: Links to this post ::

Apple Deal Bites Into AT&T

http://www.thestreet.com/_htmlttt/newsanalysis/techtelecom/10350951.html

The coming release of Apple's iPhone will give the tech titan more than a toe in the mobile phone market, according to one observer. The hotly anticipated iPod-inspired cell phone also will give Apple a nice handle on a partner's pocketbook, a Wall Street analyst said Tuesday. The iPhone, due out from Apple in June, commands enough potential sales leverage that AT&T is willing to share some of the proceeds, says American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu, in a note Tuesday.

My View: Excellent move on Apple's part. As the article mentions, this deal will give them a steady stream of revenue that investors will be able to count on. On top of that, AT&T will be more willing to promote the iPhone so that they can attract new subscribers.

Labels: , , ,

:: Permanent Link :: Posted 4/24/2007 :: 0 Comments :: Links to this post ::

Sony Pushed Toward Early PS3 Price Cut

http://www.thestreet.com/_htmlbtb/pom/pomrmy/10345639.html

According to the latest numbers from the U.S. and Japan, sales of Sony's PlayStation3 console are even weaker than the dismal January figures implied. An unusually early price cut may be Sony's best shot at salvaging the product's performance.

My View: Sony really, really screwed up with the PS3. While I am not much of console gamer, I can safely say that I am not going to purchase a PS3, even if the price does come down $100 as the article suggests may happen. Microsoft's XBox 360 and Nintendo's Wii definitely have the advantage with lower price and an earlier release on top of their key titles like Halo and Mario. I guess we will have to wait and see how the next round of console releases pans out to see if Sony learned their lesson.

Labels: , , , ,

:: Permanent Link :: Posted 3/22/2007 :: 0 Comments :: Links to this post ::

Apple Keeps Its Shine

http://www.thestreet.com/_htmlbtb/newsanalysis/investing/10344789.html

A genuine leader in this regard at the moment is Apple, which is on track to emerge later this year as the single most influential, life-changing and powerful company in the technology and consumer electronics universe. In a few years, it could even become the most valuable. The latest step in Apple's amazing transformation from industry doormat to kingpin will come in the next 30 days, as investors and consumers come to recognize a set of powerful catalysts that have the potential to kick Apple's sales and earnings to levels that will shock skeptics and possibly even surprise optimists.

My View: Apple is certainly a force to be reckoned with in the electronics/entertainment industry. As the article mentions, they are playing in four different circles - PCs, music, phones and video - which allows them to maintain a broad base of products. The company's stock has grown over 20% in the past 6 months and its growth has no sign of slowing down especially with the release of the iPhone, Apple TV, and the newest Video iPod.

Labels: , ,

:: Permanent Link :: Posted 3/20/2007 :: 0 Comments :: Links to this post ::

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?

Archives

Matt's Goal

He needs $115,959!

Thanks to you we’re at $4817.08 or 4.2% >