Sony slashes S Tablet prices
Sony Electronics rang in 2012 with a surprising discount that may foreshadow much about the tablet market this year. Overnight I received email from a Sony spokeswoman saying the company "has permanently dropped the price of the Sony Tablet S by $100 starting today". This follows what seemed like a temporary $50 discount right before Christmas. If you paid $499.99 or $599.99 before Santa's sleigh ride, 16GB Sony S is now $399.99 and 32GB 499.99.
SonyStyle Store doesn't yet list the new pricing as permanent, merely "save $100 instantly". "On top of these savings, Sony is also currently offering (for a limited time) a store credit and five free Video Unlimited movie rentals, five free PlayStation Store game downloads and 180 days of free Music Unlimited service with the purchase of a Tablet", the spokeswoman says.
What recession? Sony enjoys record holiday shopping weekend
Europe may be plunging the world into another recession but American shoppers apparently don't care. In yet another validation of the surge in consumer spending we witnessed during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, consumer electronics goliath Sony also enjoyed a sales spike and -- here's the kicker -- without slashing prices.
The Sony experience, along with a similar one enjoyed by Apple, must have economic forecasters scratching their heads. Jeesh, are we heading for a third Great Depression -- the second in three years? Or are the cluckers just screeching about another hunk of heaven dropping on our heads?
Sony PSN network breached (again), 93k accounts deactivated
Sony's PlayStation Network is once again the target of hackers as Sony disclosed late Tuesday that it had disabled some 93,000 PSN and Sony Online Entertainment accounts. According to the company these accounts had been "tested" by hackers, although a majority of the login attempts failed.
The data was said to be obtained from "one or more compromised lists from other companies, sites or other sources," although chief information security officer Phillip Reitinger said it was likely that the data did not come from Sony itself.
Sony announces Fall VAIO refresh
It must be Monday in Japan. Why else would Sony announce new laptops on a Sunday morning here? Today, the electronics company revealed autumn upgrades to its VAIO S & F series laptops and L desktop. The new systems are available immediately.
VAIO S series laptops come with 13.3-inch or 15.5-inch displays, with prices starting at $999. These models are thin, less than 1-inch thick, but nowhere as petite as Sony Z series notebooks. F series laptops are thicker, heavier and cheaper to buy. Prices start at $719, $749 and $799 for models with 14-inch, 15.5-inch and 17-inch displays, respectively.
Sony, I won't sign away my right to sue
Sony sure has some gall to attempt to prevent you or me from suing them, especially for its own stupidity. Late last week, the company made some key changes to its terms of service which effectively takes away your right to sue.
After accepting the new ToS, arbitration through a Sony-selected arbitrator is your only recourse. Worse yet, you give up the right to launch or join class action suits against the company.
'Google TVs? They're selling really well'
That's the word from an employee at my local Sony Style Store, at Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego. Google TV products should be selling, because Sony has priced them to move as part of a clever back-to-school promotion.
The store prominently displays three "Internet TV" products, which all incorporate Google TV -- Blu-ray player and 24-inch and 32-inch televisions. The marketing pitch is simple: They're perfect for the dorm room. The Blu-ray player, which sold for $399.99 a few months ago, is $199.99. The 24-inch TV is $299.99 and the larger one sells for $499.99. I was so-o-o-o tempted to buy the Google TV Blu-ray player.
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