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23rd
FEB
Ritz Camera, the next casualty of the economic crisis [Does anyone care?]
Posted by Mavrik | Filed under Tech
And so the economic crisis hit America’s largest digital camera retailer: Ritz Camera. Yesterday, they filed for Chapter 11 due to lower than expected sales during the ‘08 Holiday season. Thankfully for everyone involved, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is simply a reorganization which means they will probably stick around for a bit. Hopefully the retailer will make some changes — lots of ‘em.
I don’t mean to be harsh, but does anyone really care? I find it had to believe that anyone really goes to Ritz Camera as their first choice. Not with Best Buys all over the place and the internet filled with top quality cameras with MUCH better deals than one would find at Ritz. To me, the only people who go to Ritz Camera are those who don’t know any better, like someone I know who, had I not been there, would’ve paid $400 more for his new Nikon DSLR camera.
With Circuit City nearly gone and now Ritz having problems, it’s clear that these are signs that these markets are being hurt heavily by their Internet brethren, like Amazon who reported positive earnings for the Holiday season. Perhaps this is just a reshuffling of an overcrowded market that would have happened sooner or later, economic crisis or not. Consumers are becoming more inclined to check prices online nowadays before venturing out to the store, both due to convenience and also due to the likelihood of getting a better deal. This added to the general lightening of wallets has led to a major restructuring of tech stores in general. And this may not be the last store we see having trouble in the coming year.
Tags: Bankruptcy, Business, Camera, Chapter 11, Economy, Ritz Camera, Technology
13th
DEC
A look back at the console war of 1990
Posted by Mavrik | Filed under ZOMG
It’s funny because I was the age of the kids in this video at the time so it definitely brings back some memories. Oh Nintendo, those were the days before you neglected hard-core gamers to make money releasing gimmicky and crappy games for casual gamers. Those days will be missed. It’s amazing to hear that they had 90% of the market when this story ran though, not too shabby. (more…)
Tags: Business, Consoles, Microsoft, Nintendo, PlayStation 3, Sony, Technology, Video Games, Wii, Xbox 360
9th
DEC
And The 5 Best-Selling PS3 Games Of All Time (In Japan) Are… [Ouch]
Posted by Mavrik | Filed under ZOMG
Famitsu, a Japanese gaming magazine, published a list showing the five best-selling PS3 games of all time in Japan with exact sales figures. And (surprise surprise) Metal Gear Solid 4 tops the list.
But what comes after it is the part that will make most PS3 owners cry like poor, sad babies. Why you might ask? Well, see for yourself. Sorry PS3 fans.
Here are the top 5 lifetimes sales as of November 16.
1. Metal Gear Solid 4 – 671,706
2. Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds – 408,175
3. Dynasty Warriors 6 – 371,443
4. Dynasty Warriors: Gundam – 317,580
5. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 – 316,533
Yikes. I guess we can see why the PS3 is under-performing in Japan. When your second best selling game is Hot Shots Golf, you know there’s a problem. Hopefully 2009 will be much better for them with Killzone 2 and God of War 3 expected to be released. As a 360 user, but a Sony fan at heart, this is very troubling.
Tags: Business, Japan, PlayStation 3, Video Games
7th
DEC
Motorola Is Officially Junk [Stocks]
Posted by Mavrik | Filed under ZOMG
Standard and Poor’s Rating Services have now classify Motorola as junk. Yes, that’s a real business term for those who don’t know.
The S&P Ratings Services recently cut its long-term corporate credit rating for Motorola to junk status. Interestingly enough, last week Moody’s Investors Services also warned of future cuts to Moto’s rating, which is hanging on two notches above junk. This all means it’ll be even harder for Motorola to get cash for R&D and other projects.
It’s interesting to hear that the company that had the most popular cell phone a couple years back (Razr) isn’t doing so hot anymore. Maybe it’s because most people who owned Razrs weren’t all too satisfied with the phone thus ruining any chance of keeping customers once people’s two-year agreement renewals rolled around.
[WSJ]
Tags: Business, Mobile, Motorolla, Stocks, Technology
4th
DEC
Wal-Mart to sell $99 4GB iPhone? Now You Have No Excuse
Posted by Mavrik | Filed under ZOMG
The Wal-Mart/iP3G rumor has been swirling for months now and the latest word on the street is that Wal-Mart will be selling the iPhone 3G. But there’s a catch. It’s going to be a 4GB version for $99 with a two-year agreement. Possible? Sure.
There is no reason why Apple would not be interested in working this deal with a national retailer like Wal-Mart, sales would be amazing. Especially at the price point. Most people who buy the 4G model probably just want in on the best selling handset’s action since they’re a little shortchanged with the capacity. But hey, some people can make do without their entire library on their phone/mp3 player so more power to them. I’m sure it’s possible the Wal-Mart would carry the other phones anyway if this were to happen.
One thing’s for sure at $99 two things will happen:
1. iPhone sales will do even better than they’re doing now
2. Other companies will have no choice but to release phones at similar price points (how about the G1 for $99? Or a Blackberry Storm for $99?)
So everybody wins!
Tags: Apple, Business, iPhone, Mobile, Technology