"No plans for a pricing announcement" means that, whether or not the price will drop very soon, they haven't yet planned the *announcement*. It does not say "No plans for a price drop". These weasel words are typical of Sony PR.
And of course rumours and speculation are "just rumours and speculation", as opposed to an official announcement. That does not imply that they are incorrect in fact.
Nothing of content has actually been said here by Sony. They have neither "denied", "confirmed" nor "verified" anything.
Yes, we all know how much that means. Didn't the European branch of Nintendo deny the existence of the DS Lite mere hours before head office unveiled it to the press?
Certainly, both Microsoft and Sony have issued similar pricecut denials weeks before announcing them before.
Personally, I can wait - I can't justify a new PS3 before April-May time anyway, so as long as the cut comes before then I'm happy.
In theory, in theory mind, didn't Sony cut their prices less than 6 months ago?
That said, I have always felt that the $299 price is a watershed price. That is, the PS3 price will drop quickly at first because of the whole Blu-Ray player thing. The PS3 is the leading Blu-Ray player and in order to drive the Blu-Ray market, Sony needs to keep it's price on par with stand alone players or it begins to look like a poor deal. However $299 is a price at which a very powerful video game console that also happens to be a good Blu-Ray player begins to look like a decent deal even when stand alone Blu-Ray player prices drop to $249, $199, $99 and beyond. I don't know if $299 will happen this month or even in one single cut. It may take two cuts, one in the next two or three months and another in the autumn, but I think it's a certainty that the $299 PS3 will happen before the next Xmas spending spree.
I think there will be a price drop for a couple of reasons.
Sony’s financial year ends in March, so to have a solid end of year a price drop would increase sales. Standard business practice.
Also, the rumble is back in the controller. I can’t see them supporting two controllers going forward, so they have to refresh the bundles to include the new controller. Perfect time to do a price cut.
But these are just my rantings. Let’s see what happens.
Some people really do seem to have bother seeing the wood for the trees.
The graphics on the Wii are grand, ok not bleeding edge but some way from pac man. And that PS3 processor is so damn hard to program developers are having bother getting games to work as well as they used to, If its so good how come pro evo lags on PS3 when it works fine on other 'less' powerful machines.
Been playing Mario Galaxy since christmas and have to say its one of the most polished games i have ever played; well balanced and evolutionary gameplay, indeed i think its the first true 3D platformer, and the graphics are great as well.
I'm not saying the PS3 is crap just horses for courses i suppose, and just to show i am at least marginally objective i would criticise the lack of motion sensing in some of Wii games, never lags though :)
Price cuts in Euro-land will probably happen later than Japan or US, so don't feel too bad. Besides, the best thing for you to do is buy a US system with the wonderful pound/dollar exchange rate, and then purchase all your Blu-Ray movies through Amazon.com
Don't forget PS3 games re region free, so you don't have to worry about the US PS3 playing games at all. About the only concern is whether your TV can handle the US 720p/1080i/1080p signals. I'm gonna guess that it can since just about every LCD/Plasma can sync to just about any video source.
Have fun with your purchase and don't forget to import a dualshock 3 from Japan, heaven knows when they'll actually be available anywhere else.
"despite it lodging documents with the US Federal Communications Commission for a Ceramic White PS3"
Why would the FCC need to be notified about the colour of the case? Does black do a better job of shielding electromagnetic interference than other colours?
Or perhaps the key word here is "ceramic" and Sony are planning on making the cases out of bone china rather than metal??? The mind boggles.
All TVs with the "HD Ready" logo must accept 720p and 1080i signals at the US 60Hz standard, so you don't need to worry about that at all. All UK BluRay discs are 60Hz anyway, so it's just as well.
Also, while you're importing films from Amazon.com, be sure to take advantage of the fact that they're on a near-permanent BOGOF sale, and so dirt cheap even after import duties.
Nintendo Wii Console
Sony PSP-3000 PlayStation Portable System
Activision Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360)
Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle
Microsoft XGX-00055 Xbox 360 Arcade
Eddie Edwards
Lies, damned lies, and Sony PR #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 14:43 GMT
Watch what Sony say carefully.
"No plans for a pricing announcement" means that, whether or not the price will drop very soon, they haven't yet planned the *announcement*. It does not say "No plans for a price drop". These weasel words are typical of Sony PR.
And of course rumours and speculation are "just rumours and speculation", as opposed to an official announcement. That does not imply that they are incorrect in fact.
Nothing of content has actually been said here by Sony. They have neither "denied", "confirmed" nor "verified" anything.
Iain
Console company denies upcoming announcement #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 14:43 GMT
Yes, we all know how much that means. Didn't the European branch of Nintendo deny the existence of the DS Lite mere hours before head office unveiled it to the press?
Certainly, both Microsoft and Sony have issued similar pricecut denials weeks before announcing them before.
Personally, I can wait - I can't justify a new PS3 before April-May time anyway, so as long as the cut comes before then I'm happy.
Anonymous Coward
so, they're talking about... #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 14:43 GMT
a white video console for less than $300... where did I see something like that?
Oh, yes... in my living room! it's called Wii
-The Coward Wii Apologist
The_Police!
Or is it? #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 15:52 GMT
Remember that speculation about the PS3 and Sony do turn out to be true. Remember they denied the price cut for the PS3 60Gb Version?
Craig
re: so, they're talking about... #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 15:52 GMT
I see a Wii in my living room every day too... pity it never gets played!
Anonymous Coward
In £s? #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 15:52 GMT
>> $299 (£150/€210)
Yeah, just like the $399 PS3 in is only £200. I suspect if the $299 PS3 is launched in the UK we will be looking £250.
@Anon. Cow.
Where abouts have you seen a Wii selling for less than $300 recently? - apart from Japan where it is only about $235 (£120).
Anonymous Coward
The Coward Wii Apologist #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 15:52 GMT
Yes but what can your wii actually do? PS3 actually has a processor as opposed to a caged rat, and graphics superior to pacman!
Fab De Marco
It's all about the dollar dollar! #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 15:52 GMT
If word got out that the PS3 is going to see a price drop in the near future, you would hold off buying one! Oviously save the pennies and all!
So Sony openly deny it so those who were considering buying one but holding out for the price drop cave and then spend the fortune!
b166er
Why do I get so much enjoyment #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 15:52 GMT
out of watching Sony squirm?
Really though, they're not gonna drop the price just now, considering Blu-Ray has just had a shot in the arm.
Not that any of this matters much, we're all too busy buying Nintendo ATM
Highlander
Price cuts? #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 15:52 GMT
In theory, in theory mind, didn't Sony cut their prices less than 6 months ago?
That said, I have always felt that the $299 price is a watershed price. That is, the PS3 price will drop quickly at first because of the whole Blu-Ray player thing. The PS3 is the leading Blu-Ray player and in order to drive the Blu-Ray market, Sony needs to keep it's price on par with stand alone players or it begins to look like a poor deal. However $299 is a price at which a very powerful video game console that also happens to be a good Blu-Ray player begins to look like a decent deal even when stand alone Blu-Ray player prices drop to $249, $199, $99 and beyond. I don't know if $299 will happen this month or even in one single cut. It may take two cuts, one in the next two or three months and another in the autumn, but I think it's a certainty that the $299 PS3 will happen before the next Xmas spending spree.
Anonymous Coward
Didn't they do this before... #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 15:52 GMT
Didn't they deny the previous price drop a few weeks before it happened or perhaps these recreational drugs are imparing my memory!
The_Police!
at anon coward #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 16:40 GMT
>Didn't they deny the previous price drop a few weeks before it happened or >perhaps these recreational drugs are imparing my memory!
Yes they did!
Neil
Arse #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 16:40 GMT
I bought one at lunchtime, got back to work and read this.
Typical.
Albert
Sony's financial year ends in March #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 18:13 GMT
I think there will be a price drop for a couple of reasons.
Sony’s financial year ends in March, so to have a solid end of year a price drop would increase sales. Standard business practice.
Also, the rumble is back in the controller. I can’t see them supporting two controllers going forward, so they have to refresh the bundles to include the new controller. Perfect time to do a price cut.
But these are just my rantings. Let’s see what happens.
Kenny Millar
@The_Police #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 18:13 GMT
I think you mean 60GB not 60Gb - please learn the difference between bits and Bytes.
Michael Compton
PAC man graphics on the wii? #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 18:13 GMT
Some people really do seem to have bother seeing the wood for the trees.
The graphics on the Wii are grand, ok not bleeding edge but some way from pac man. And that PS3 processor is so damn hard to program developers are having bother getting games to work as well as they used to, If its so good how come pro evo lags on PS3 when it works fine on other 'less' powerful machines.
Been playing Mario Galaxy since christmas and have to say its one of the most polished games i have ever played; well balanced and evolutionary gameplay, indeed i think its the first true 3D platformer, and the graphics are great as well.
I'm not saying the PS3 is crap just horses for courses i suppose, and just to show i am at least marginally objective i would criticise the lack of motion sensing in some of Wii games, never lags though :)
Highlander
@neil #
Posted Thursday 24th January 2008 18:13 GMT
Price cuts in Euro-land will probably happen later than Japan or US, so don't feel too bad. Besides, the best thing for you to do is buy a US system with the wonderful pound/dollar exchange rate, and then purchase all your Blu-Ray movies through Amazon.com
Don't forget PS3 games re region free, so you don't have to worry about the US PS3 playing games at all. About the only concern is whether your TV can handle the US 720p/1080i/1080p signals. I'm gonna guess that it can since just about every LCD/Plasma can sync to just about any video source.
Have fun with your purchase and don't forget to import a dualshock 3 from Japan, heaven knows when they'll actually be available anywhere else.
Anonymous Coward
FCC and case colour #
Posted Friday 25th January 2008 05:48 GMT
"despite it lodging documents with the US Federal Communications Commission for a Ceramic White PS3"
Why would the FCC need to be notified about the colour of the case? Does black do a better job of shielding electromagnetic interference than other colours?
Or perhaps the key word here is "ceramic" and Sony are planning on making the cases out of bone china rather than metal??? The mind boggles.
Iain
@Neil, Highlander re: import #
Posted Friday 25th January 2008 09:13 GMT
All TVs with the "HD Ready" logo must accept 720p and 1080i signals at the US 60Hz standard, so you don't need to worry about that at all. All UK BluRay discs are 60Hz anyway, so it's just as well.
Also, while you're importing films from Amazon.com, be sure to take advantage of the fact that they're on a near-permanent BOGOF sale, and so dirt cheap even after import duties.
The_Police!
@ Kenny Millar #
Posted Friday 25th January 2008 12:52 GMT
Well Sorry! A slip of the 'shift' key inadvertently occurred.
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