Chandler may have been the boonies in 1980s. It's not now. Check out the Google map of downtown Chandler.
Basically, the entire East Valley has become one giant suburb, with little distinction between Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert. Developments all over the place. Grocery stores and gas stations on nearly every corner. And, to address the original poster, Cox has cable modem service through most of Chandler. Downtown Chandler (which is defined as the intersection of Chandler and Arizona) is the intersection of two six lane roads, so I don't know what original poster meant by two lane roads.
Instead, "standard" is a machine you can't save games to and have to fiddle around back to plug a controller into.
You only have to plug a controller once.
And how much do you want to bet that the cable won't reach my couch?
The cord is 9 feet long.
Getting your target audience to take a wait-and-see attitude is NOT a good stratedgy.
Agreed. Sony can take one of two routes now--price at $400 and say it's the same as the Xbox because the $300 doesn't count. Or Sony can price it at $300 with a hard drive and wireless controller.
No need to hear from third parties about this. The official announcement regarding tiered pricing is on the Xbox site. Here's the text:
Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Price for Europe and North America: Starts at $299.99 U.S./299.99/£209.99
Feature-packed system brings high-definition gaming to the masses this holiday season.
LEIPZIG, Germany -- Aug. 17, 2005 -- Ending weeks of speculation about which upcoming video game platform will give gamers the most bang for their buck, today at the German Games Convention, Microsoft Corp. revealed that consumers can get their hands on Xbox 360(TM) -- the most powerful and feature-packed next-generation video game and entertainment system -- for as little as $299.99 U.S./299.99/£209.99 starting this holiday season. For gamers who want to experience the ultimate digital entertainment thrill ride, Microsoft also announced a model with hundreds of dollars worth of accessories for $399.99 U.S./399.99/£279.99, giving consumers the definitive entertainment experience at an unbelievable value right out of the box.
The Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Core System -- along with an impressive lineup of high-definition game titles from the world's best publishers and developers -- will make their debut in North America, Europe and Japan in time for this Christmas holiday, several months ahead of the competition. Although details for the Japan launch will be addressed at the Tokyo Game Show in September, the unprecedented three-region launch signifies an industry first. The Xbox 360 platform will deliver the most powerful console, the best games, the next generation of the Xbox Live® service, and amazing digital entertainment experiences never seen in console entertainment.
"The sheer entertainment value of Xbox 360 cannot be overstated," said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer for Microsoft. "While the system has the muscle to power awe-inspiring graphics, audio and online play, it's also got the intelligence to serve as a one-of-a-kind entertainment device that plays CDs, DVDs, MP3s and digital content from an array of devices, including portable music players and digital cameras."
With its built-in Ethernet port and free Silver level of service right out of the box, Xbox 360 also connects players to Xbox Live, the premier global online console games and entertainment network. With Xbox Live, gamers can chat with friends online, build and share gamer profiles, send and receive text and voice messages, and access Xbox Live Marketplace for new content such as game demos, trailers and casual games from Xbox Live Arcade. Subscribers to the Gold level of service will also enjoy access to online multiplayer gaming in their favorite games, as well as great promotional programs such as worldwide tournaments, the chance to play online with their favorite celebrities, and opportunities to win big prizes.
For gamers who want the ultimate experience (and the best value) right out of the box, Microsoft will offer the $399.99 U.S./399.99/£279.99 Xbox 360 console. This premium edition -- distinguished by signature metallic detailing on the console itself -- comes fully loaded for the ultimate gaming experience, with components and accessories that would cost more than $200 if sold separately:
Xbox 360 console. Sexy styling that packs a punch -- three powerful core processors are poised to pump out 720p/1080i output, 16x9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound and DVD playback right out of the box.
Xbox 360 Hard Drive (20 GB). 20 GB and detachable, the hard drive allows gamers to store their games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos and community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace.
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Hassle-free high-performance precision wireless gaming features the Xbox® Guide Button for q
Another good one that I encounter all the time: there's a crowd of people entering a building. It's a doorway with two doors. ONLY ONE DOOR IS BEING USED. Holy fuck. I am always, always the only one who thinks of opening the other door. Once the door has been opened, the sheep will usually follow and keep it open.
This happens all the time. And it's not that the other door is locked. And I never understood it. Even among people you would think would be smart enough not to do this--at my graduation ceremony, everyone was crowded behind one door. Three other doors, no one even attempted to open the other doors.
My point is that it doesn't deserve to be there for two reasons: 1. It isn't supported at all outside America. The only reason why it's the most popular sports franchise is because it has a monopoly on the game unlike say Soccer
And the other point is that Madden is the top selling sports game in the world. Second to GTA in sales the last few years (when it did *NOT* have a monopoly. It only received the monopoly this year).
I don't agree that your proposition is so easy to agree with and understand. CD's are inherently fragile so I have learned through repeated experience that using the original disc is foolhardy. It will fail and the only remedy available is to purchase another one.
Even my 3 year old knows that you only hold a CD by the edge. How hard of a concept is that to grasp?
When I started buying music in 1988 (after I got my first job), LPs were $9.99 and CDs were $12.99 to $15.99. Adjusted for inflation, $9.99 is $16.21. Seems to me the prices haven't changed that much.
What is annoying to me about Comcast On Demand is their guitar lessons. They've had the same lessons on for 4 months, with a listed expiration date of August 6, 2005. So I check yesterday, expecting to be able to learn a bunch of new songs. Instead, it's the exact same songs, only with an expiration date of January 2006.
And HBO On Demand is annoying also. They refuse to even state a release date of the DVD of the Third Season of The Wire. But they only show 5 episodes at a time on OD. And they're still stuck in the second season.
How the hell did this comment get modded up. Parent specifically asked for *digital* media that obviates the need for time consuming capture. You suggest *analog*. Do the mods realize that solves absolutely none of the problems posed in the original question.
It used to be the case that standalone CD-Recorder cannot write to regular CD-Rs. I haven't seen a standalone CD-recorder in years, so I have no idea if that is still true.
So now the measure of smartness is knowledge of consumer electronics? How smart would you sound if you were looking through the women's shoe department at Nordstrom's?
I've never understood the try before you buy argument. Do you watch a movie before you buy a ticket for it? Why should you be entitled to listen to an album before you buy it?
I wouldn't be so sure of that. I have 3 computers. Only 1 has a floppy drive. I'm not unique. E.g., my company gives everyone computers without a floppy drive.
Apples to oranges. There is no extra step required for iTunes to support unencrypted WMA--just drag the file to iTunes just like you would an MP3 file.
What use is a CD-ROM drive as a floppy replacement? If you're transferring files from Computer A to Computer B, Computer B doesn't need a burner, just a reader.
Why do I point that out? Floppies are used to transfer information from A to B. B is probably more likely to be able to read a CD-R as it is a floppy.
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(1) Property appreciation isn't income. (2) A lot of people can't sell their homes. If they sell it, they can't afford to buy another one.
Slightly off . . . by more than $100k. According to the census, the median household income in San Francisco is $55k.
Basically, the entire East Valley has become one giant suburb, with little distinction between Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert. Developments all over the place. Grocery stores and gas stations on nearly every corner. And, to address the original poster, Cox has cable modem service through most of Chandler. Downtown Chandler (which is defined as the intersection of Chandler and Arizona) is the intersection of two six lane roads, so I don't know what original poster meant by two lane roads.
You only have to plug a controller once.
And how much do you want to bet that the cable won't reach my couch?
The cord is 9 feet long.
Getting your target audience to take a wait-and-see attitude is NOT a good stratedgy.
Agreed. Sony can take one of two routes now--price at $400 and say it's the same as the Xbox because the $300 doesn't count. Or Sony can price it at $300 with a hard drive and wireless controller.
With the exception of the hard drive, all of the listed peripherals were "extra" on the original Xbox also.
A lot of people have an Xbox because of better sound/graphics than the PS2.
This happens all the time. And it's not that the other door is locked. And I never understood it. Even among people you would think would be smart enough not to do this--at my graduation ceremony, everyone was crowded behind one door. Three other doors, no one even attempted to open the other doors.
And the other point is that Madden is the top selling sports game in the world. Second to GTA in sales the last few years (when it did *NOT* have a monopoly. It only received the monopoly this year).
Even my 3 year old knows that you only hold a CD by the edge. How hard of a concept is that to grasp?
When I started buying music in 1988 (after I got my first job), LPs were $9.99 and CDs were $12.99 to $15.99. Adjusted for inflation, $9.99 is $16.21. Seems to me the prices haven't changed that much.
And I don't know a single person, in real life, or on-line, who modded their PS2 (XBox is a different story, though).
Rejections based on prior art can be because of lack of obviousness. The Patent Office very rarely rejects patents because of lack of utility.
Until the Columbia broke up, getting back from space WAS considered mundane. Landings were only a footnote in newscasts before then.
And HBO On Demand is annoying also. They refuse to even state a release date of the DVD of the Third Season of The Wire. But they only show 5 episodes at a time on OD. And they're still stuck in the second season.
How the hell did this comment get modded up. Parent specifically asked for *digital* media that obviates the need for time consuming capture. You suggest *analog*. Do the mods realize that solves absolutely none of the problems posed in the original question.
And when he graduates in two years, a DC firm might offer him $125k. He has no incentive to stay with the PTO.
It used to be the case that standalone CD-Recorder cannot write to regular CD-Rs. I haven't seen a standalone CD-recorder in years, so I have no idea if that is still true.
Plus, many receivers have limited number of inputs. Handling both a DVD player and an HD DVD player may run into the limits of lower-end receivers.
So now the measure of smartness is knowledge of consumer electronics? How smart would you sound if you were looking through the women's shoe department at Nordstrom's?
I've never understood the try before you buy argument. Do you watch a movie before you buy a ticket for it? Why should you be entitled to listen to an album before you buy it?
By that standard, the only opinion that really matters is that of Bill Gates, the richest man in the world.
I wouldn't be so sure of that. I have 3 computers. Only 1 has a floppy drive. I'm not unique. E.g., my company gives everyone computers without a floppy drive.
Apples to oranges. There is no extra step required for iTunes to support unencrypted WMA--just drag the file to iTunes just like you would an MP3 file.
Why do I point that out? Floppies are used to transfer information from A to B. B is probably more likely to be able to read a CD-R as it is a floppy.