Microsoft re-enters MP3-player industry
After minor, unsuccessful stints in the MP3 player industry, which is now almost completely dominated by Apple after Sony announced a formal shutdown of its MP3 player division in March, Microsoft plans to re-enter the industry with a second-generation Zune.
The Zune is Microsoft's music, photo and video player. The original Zune was scoffed at and criticized, and people called it an iPod wannabe. However, The New York Times is calling the second-generation Zune "a pleasure to use." It fixes a long list of things that were wrong with the original Zune, and most importantly, it is developing its own identity.
Testers of the second-generation Zune praised its "bright, clear, animated" screen and acknowledged its good sound quality. The Zune also has a wireless feature, something the iPod does not.
Three new models of the Zune exist, including an 80-gigabyte version retailing for $250, a thinner version resembling the iPod nano that retails for $150 and the original 30-gigabyte Zune that will cost $200.
Tots take to technology
Adults aren't the only people diving headfirst into the digital age of cellular phones, iPods and Blackberries. According to The New York Times, cell phones, laptops, digital cameras and MP3 players are some of the hottest gift items this year for younger kids, including preschoolers.
Toy retailers are filling shelves with real cell phones and digital cameras, among other technological items, saying they are serving younger consumers who seek to imitate their parents and want something more than fake look-alikes.
"The bigger toy companies don't even call it the toy business anymore," Jim Silver, editor of Toy Wishes magazine, told the Times. "They're in the family entertainment business and the leisure business. What they're saying is, 'We're vying for kids' leisure time.'"
According to Silver, there has been a huge jump in the previous 12 months involving technological toys.
Sony PS3 outsells Nintendo Wii in Japan
In November, Sony sold 183,217 PlayStation 3 consoles in Japan, while Nintendo sold 159,193 Wii consoles. This marks the first time since the debut of the Wii that the PS3 has outsold its competitor anywhere in the world. The improved sales come after significant price cuts to the PS3.
"Sales are gaining momentum as we head to the year end, and the availability of more game software for the PS3 is also helping boost sales," said Sousuke Kamei, a spokesperson for Sony.
The PS3 still has a significant amount of catching up to do if it wants to compete with Nintendo and Microsoft. The PS3 sold 5.6 million units at the end of its fiscal year in September, while the Microsoft Xbox 360 has sold 13.4 million units over the last two years. Nintendo expects to sell 17.5 million Wii consoles by the end of its fiscal year in March.
Facebook backs out of advertising feature
Users of the massively popular social-networking Web site Facebook cried foul over a new advertising program, which was immediately subject to protests and criticism.
The program, called Beacon, sends messages to users' friends about what they are buying on Web sites such as Travelocity, TheKnot.com and Fandango. Currently, Facebook does not allow users to simply disable the program.
The company changed its stance on the program, saying that it would not send messages about Internet activities without asking for approval each time.
Over a 10-day period, about 50,000 Facebook members signed a petition objecting to the program. Facebook executives told The New York Times that protesters are a minority and that users will come to accept Beacon as a resource to shop online.
-MICHAEL CARUSI
