Tag Archives: sne

Microsoft testing deals to boost Xbox One sales

With Sony’s (SNE) PlayStation 4 winning the market share battle among next-generation video game consoles, Microsoft (MSFT) is experimenting with price cuts for its more expensive Xbox One. In the U.K., Microsoft (MSFT) is dropping the price of its Xbox One console by 7% to 399 pounds ($664) from 429 pounds ($714) starting Friday, various news sites reported this week. By comparison, Sony’s PS4 costs 349 pounds ($581). For now at least, the Xbox One price cut is limited to the U.K. In the U.S., Microsoft is bundling its most anticipated new game, “Titanfall,” at no additional charge with the Xbox One at the standard price of $499. Separately, the sci-fi shooting game costs $60. Published by Electronic Arts (EA) and due out March 11, “Titanfall” is exclusive to Microsoft’s Xbox One, as well as older Xbox 360 consoles and Windows PCs. Meanwhile, retailers Target (TGT) and Wal-Mart (WMT) recently offered heavy incentives on the Xbox One. Target was offering a $50 gift card with the purchase of Microsoft’s new console and Wal-Mart was giving buyers a free game credit worth $50, the Motley Fool reported. Sony’ s (SNE) PlayStation 4 outsold Microsoft’s Xbox One during the holiday shopping season and has continued to do so this year. Both were released in November, but Sony’s PS4 costs $399, or $100 less than its main competitor. Sony’s new console also has gotten praise for having better graphics than the Xbox One, the Motley Fool said.

Samsung, Sony update smartwatches, but all eyes on Apple

The tech industry is buzzing about smartwatches and fitness bands this week at the Mobile World Congress, just like it did at the Consumer Electronics Show last month. But once again, speculation turns to Apple (AAPL), which is rumored to be working on a product for the emerging category. Samsung Electronics on Sunday unveiled its second-generation smartwatches, the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The South Korean company used consumer feedback about its first smartwatch, the Galaxy Gear, released in September, when designing the follow-on gadgets. It also introduced a fitness band watch called the Gear Fit, which would compete with products like Fitbit, Jawbone Up and Nike’s (NKE) FuelBand. Also in Barcelona, Sony (SNE) unveiled its SmartBand activity tracker. The device will measure steps taken and calories burned during the day and sleep cycles at night. It’s expected to be available

Sony PS4 game console outpacing Microsoft Xbox One

Sony’s (SNE) PlayStation 4 video game console is pulling away from rival Microsoft’s (MSFT) more expensive Xbox One in the market for next-generation video game machines. Sony said Tuesday that it has sold more than 5.3 million PlayStation 4 game consoles as of Feb. 8, surpassing its fiscal year target. It previously forecast selling 5 million units by March 31. Sony launched the PS4 on Nov. 15 in the U.S., followed by Western Europe two weeks later. Since then, it has rolled out the device in several Asian countries, but won’t launch in its home market of Japan until Saturday. Last week, Sony said its PS4 sales in the U.S. were almost double those of the Xbox One in January. The PlayStation 4 retails for $399, while the Xbox One sells for $499. Microsoft launched the Xbox One on Nov. 22. Last month, it said it had sold more….