HDTV Sets and Laptops Top Holiday Wish Lists
Three-in-four (76%) have at least one digital lifestyle product on their wish lists leading up to the Christmas season according to a national survey of 1,200 American consumers by Solutions Research Group.
The top ten wish list items overall were:
1. flat screen high definition TV set - on the wish list of 35%
2. laptop (windows) (20%)
3. digital camera (17%)
4. desktop PC (14%)
5. GPS navigation unit for the car (10%)
6. cell phone (10%)
7. digital video camera (9%)
8. Nintendo Wii (9%)
9. Sony PS3 (7%)
10. Blu-ray or HD-DVD player (6%)
- HD-capable flat screen TVs were number one with a bullet among all population subgroups with 35% of mentions. Interestingly, most of those HD sets will not deliver true HD to their owners, as only 2% also intend to get a HD box from their cable or satellite company (ranked at #20 on the list).
- Apple’s iPhone was ranked #15 overall. The hottest Apple-branded product was a laptop, ranked #11 overall and #9 among women.
- While no individual Apple product ranked higher than #11 on the wish lists, when combined, Apple-branded technology products make it to the top 5 overall with one-in-six considering purchase, suggesting strong potential holiday season for the company.
- Men and women had six items in common in the top 10 - the rest were unique by gender. Sony PS3 and Xbox 360 were on the top 10 list of men but did not make it to the top 10 list of women. On the other hand, TiVo/DVR and Apple laptops were in the top 10 for women but did not show up on men’s wish lists for the holidays.
- Laptops were preferred over desktop PCs 2-to-1 among those 18-34. Nintendo Wii, Sony PS3 and Xbox 360 were all on 18-34 lists - Nintendo Wii was the highest ranked console, ranked #8 overall, edging out Sony PS3 which came in at #9. Xbox was ranked #12.
- Digital cameras are popular across all age groups - ranked #2 or #3 in all age or gender groups.
- GPS navigation for cars is mainstreaming - it was ranked #5 item among men and #7 among women.
The information in this release come from Digital Life America - Holiday 2007 Edition. The results cited are based on a survey of 1,200 online Americans aged 18 and older in September 2007 using a professionally-managed panel representative of the US online population. To maintain an unbiased perspective, Solutions Research Group funds its own syndicated research.
For a PDF of this release with graphics, please go to http://www.srgnet.com
Source: Source Research Group press release
Nintendo pull Mario from UK shelves
Nintendo have removed Mario Party 8 for the DS from UK shelves this week after it was found that it contained offensive language.
As Tiger Woods found out, the term Spastic is considered offensive as it is and abusive and derogatory term.
Despite cultivating a family friendly image, Nintendo however refused to actually apologize and a simply offered a statement which said
Unfortunately, we have discovered that a small number of games contain the wrong version of the disk due to an assembly error. We have therefore decided to recall all copies of the game from UK retailers so that this mistake can be corrected.”
No details of when the “assembly error” will be fixed are available.
Source C&VG
Opera Software Confirms June Release of Nintendo DS Browser
For those of you that are Opera fans, Opera Software has confirmed in a press release that the Nintendo DS Browser, powered by Opera, will be released to the North American market on June 4, 2007. The browser has already been released in Japan (July 2006) and Europe (October 2006), where it retails for 3,800 Yen and 39.99 Euros, respectively. Nintendo of America, who will be publishing the software in North America, has yet to announce pricing details.
Source: GigaGamez
Wii Everybody Votes Channel
TechEBlog has a Wii Everybody Votes Channel first look that is pretty cool. If you have a Wii, you want to check out the video posted on TechEBlog.
Here’s a first look at the Wii “Everybody Votes” channel, which has not yet been officially announced by Nintendo. For those who’ve tried this service, what do you think?
Opera for Wii
Opera Software today announces that a trial version of its Web browser for Nintendo’s new game console, Wii, will be available on December 22, 2006. The trial version of the Opera browser for Wii is available for download, free of charge from the the Wii Shop Channel.
FREE OPERA INTERNET BROWSER CONNECTS THE WORLD TO WII
Beta Version Lets Users Surf from the Comfort of their Couches
Nintendo’s wildly popular Wii™ home video game system not only revolutionizes how people play games, but it also entices new people into the world of gaming. On Dec. 22, Nintendo and Opera Software bring the Internet to the living room couch with a free beta version of the Opera Web browser. Wii owners who are connected and have activated the Wii Shop Channel can download a free beta version of the Opera browser to activate the Internet Channel of the Wii Menu and begin surfing the Web.
Read the full release after the jump
Attack of the ‘Wiimote’ Hacks
Hackers have found their latest toy — the “Wiimote.”
The wireless, motion-sensing controller has made Nintendo’s new Wii game console this holiday’s gotta-have-it gadget. Wii’s games let the player swing the controller like a tennis racket or fling it like a fishing pole.
Check out this video then make sure you click the link below the video screen to see the Wired News story!
Click this link to see the Wired News: Attack of the ‘Wiimote’ Hacks
Wii remote and goggles - SLICK!
This is very SLICK! A simple glovepie script to control Goggles using the wii remote.
via: zedomax
Wii Remote Wrist Strap Replacement
What a tough way to start a new product introduction … having a recall! But at least they recognize an issue exists and they are dealing with it ASAP. Nintendo is offering to replace the original version of the wrist straps for the Wii Remote with a newer version.
Wii consoles shipped starting in early December already have the NEW strap so nothing needs to be done … but you might want to verify what strap you have. Click on the picture to the right and you should be able to tell what strap you have.
If you have an original strap, click on this link to take you to the Wii Remote Wrist Strap Replacement page.
Wii Doubles PS3 Sales for November
Posted by Doug Smith on 12/8/06 in Nintendo
With the limited release of the Wii, Nintendo perhaps could have topped Microsoft as the Big Dog in Video Game Console sales. Selling 476,000 in the month of November, Nintendo more than doubled PS3 sales of 197,000. Microsoft "sold 511,000 units of its Xbox 360 in November, according to NPD."
Click below to read the entire article by Reuters.
Nintendo Wii Safety tips
I can see it now, the competition is stiff, your hands are getting sweaty and you need to get that last STRIKE to win. In your haste to make that winning box, the Wii remote slips from your hand and travels across the room right into that brand new $3000 LCD TV … oh, you’re in trouble now!
Well, it seems as if Nintendo has come out with some Safety Information for Playing with the Wii. Here is just one of several tips….
As you become comfortable with using the new and innovative Wii Remote, we would like for you to take a few minutes to review some important safety information which, when followed, will help ensure a fun playing experience for all.
- Wear the wrist strap. Make sure that all players using the Wii Remote are wearing the wrist strap and that it has been tightened using the strap lock. When sharing the Wii Remote between multiple players, please be sure each person using the Wii Remote takes the time to properly put on the wrist strap. Wearing the wrist strap will help prevent the Wii Remote from flying across the room if you accidentally let go of it during game play.
Source: | Nintendo - Customer Service | Wii
Nintendo’s North Bend Distribution Center Ships Wii
It is going to be an amazing holiday season with all the NEW products that will be available and the Wii will be a definite part of many shopping lists.
Nintendo is mobilizing the largest worldwide console launch in a decade for its new Wii system. Employees at Nintendo’s production facility in North Bend, WA, are working non-stop to ship new Wii video game consoles to retailers across the country. Wii goes on sale in the United States on Nov. 19.
Click Read More below to view two short video clips.
