Ironically, after all this chaos, Sony has landed itself in a consumer friendly, corporate unfriendly position. It needs to now support a SKU at 499, period. So what Kaz or David Reeves or Karakker say is immaterial. Sony has seen enough numbers from sales in the last 4 days to indicate that 499 is here to stay.
What happened today was awful PR but good for the customer who can now be assured that he will atleast get a ps3 for 499 from here on.

One of two things is true.
1. Dave Reeves is pissed off at SCEA getting the cut or has no clue what happens on this side of the world. Hence the almost demeaning interview.
2. SCEA shafted us big time.
If the 2 were to be true, does it qualify for a public interest litigation considering the public admission of a price cut by Sony and then the aftermath?
I am waiting to hear how Sony PR handles this. Speaking of which, seriously, dont the executives from different regions even talk to each other?

It is true. I was at Target in Oaks, PA and the store guys confirmed that starting July 12, the price would be 499.99. He said that the pricing update had come through but was not expected to kick in until the 12th.

The excitement is palpable but am I the only one thinking that this is one phone that doesnt deserve the hype?. It looks great and fits with the apple mantra of simple and cool but its a 600 dollar GPRS phone for crying out loud. I mean, there are free after rebate HSDPA phones out there and Jobs wants us to plunk 600 bucks for a 2.5G phone especially one with a lot of data apps?. He must be kidding surely.
And for those thinking that someday Jobs will turn on HSDPA by a software update, not happening. As a wireless engineer, I can tell you there needs to be hardware updates on the phone, one which means a newer SKU and a lot more changes. If one such radio is available in the iphone but not turned on, then the customers are going to be pissed.
I am waiting to see how this works out. For me, my first iphone if ever will be the one that has HSDPA or better still HSUPA.

One at a time please.

For those from the other side of the world (I am from Asia), Tintin holds a special place in the heart. My childhood was filled with Tintin and Asterix and I continue to read them in libraries in the US. Its phenomenal news that two excellent directors will be handling the chores on Tintin. Cant wait.
I'd start with Destination Moon :)

Heroes

In this post and the coverage of Sony event post, all I saw was Nintendo fanboys bitching Sony. I really dont see why Sony screwed up today. They delivered the kind of console we were expecting with a pleasant controller surprise (imitation is most certainly the best form of flattery and also survival) and a price tag that really isnt off the mark. A 20Gig HDD Xbox 360 is 399 and throw in the $100 or more HD-DVD USB peripheral and you have something that matches the basic PS3 for the same price!!!. Now MS might take the console war further and reduce the price come November but all those who paid would have paid 499.

As far as Wii is concerned, much as fanboys would hate, its going to be a better cousin of the Gamecube and no more. Nintendo and a few 3rd party games will make use of the Wiimote making it as all other Nintendo products - notoriously Nintendo central with bad or non-existent 3rd party support. If I am paying for my console, I expect it to have a library. Not just the 100th iteration of Mario or Zelda. I will use my $69 Gamecube for that. Thank you.

Lame announcements coupled with exhorbitant pricing makes it one of the worst Apple keynotes. Good lesson for all of us who wasted time talking up to the event. The leather case is a gigantic rip off. Why an event to launch one such beats me. The boombooks looks nice, but its too big and way too pricey. I think this is one big bad call by Jobs. I mean, 150 bucks is a lot for a boombox..and 350 is just worthless.

The Mac mini upgrade was no surprise. Just expected and predictable.

Not a bad keynote. But too much hooplah. Jobs took us all for a ride and how it hurts.

I need one please.