Tag Archives: sne

Microsoft looks to ‘Titanfall’ to boost Xbox One

Microsoft (MSFT) is counting on the new video game “Titanfall” to lift the prospects of its Xbox One device, which has fallen behind Sony ‘s (SNE) PlayStation 4 in the next-generation game console market. Released Tuesday, “Titanfall” is exclusive to Microsoft’ s (MSFT) hardware, including the Xbox One, older generation Xbox 360 and Windows PCs. Ask any clerk at GameStop (GME) about the title and he’ll likely say, “It’s the reason to own an Xbox One.” The $60 sci-fi shooting game, developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts (EA), has earned a composite score on Metacritic of 87, which falls into the range of “generally favorable reviews.” To boost sales of Xbox One, which launched on Nov. 22, Microsoft has been experimenting with price cuts and bundling promotions, as IBD reported. In the U.S., it bundled “Titanfall” at no additional charge with the Xbox One at its standard price of $499. Sony’s PS4 costs $399, a factor that has helped its sales.

Sony store closures likely good news for Best Buy

Sony’s (SNE) plan to close 20 of its 31 U.S. retail stores is likely good news for consumer electronics retailer Best Buy (BBY). Consumers looking to buy Sony televisions, digital cameras, audio equipment and other gadgets will turn to independent retailers like Best Buy in the affected markets. In addition, Best Buy has been setting aside floor space for manufacturers looking to run product showcases and could do so for Sony. On Thursday, Best Buy reported that it had opened 1,400 Samsung and 600 Microsoft (MSFT) Windows stores-within-a-store as of Feb. 1. It also operates Apple (AAPL) product showcases in its stores. During the holiday season, Google (GOOG) set up display tablets and end caps in 750 large-format Best Buy stores to show off Android tablets, Chromebook notebooks and Chromecast streaming video players. On a conference call with analysts Thursday, Best Buy CEO hinted at more opportunities for product showcases…

Samsung controls 65% of the Android device market

Nearly two-thirds of all Google (GOOG) Android-based devices in use today were made by Samsung Electronics, according to a research report released Friday. Mobile and Web app analytics firm Localytics said 65% of Android devices in use now are from Samsung, with almost half being the South Korean company’s Galaxy S series of smartphones. The report includes smartphones, phablets and tablets. The report says 30% of Android devices in use are Samsung Galaxy S series smartphones. The 2-year-old Galaxy S3 is the most popular Android devices, making up 15% of such devices in use. Last year’s Galaxy S4 was second, with 10% market share. After Samsung, the top makers of Android devices in use in February are LG (7%), HTC (6%), Sony (SNE) (5%) and Motorola (4%). Google owns the Motorola handset business, but is selling it to Lenovo. In November, Samsung had 63% of the global Android device market, Localytics said. Samsung has sold more than 200 million Galaxy S series smartphones since the line was launched in 2010. Its latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S5 , is set for release on April 11.