China PC Shipments Up

AUG. 24, 2011 • Research firm IDC estimates that China PC shipments reached 18.5 million units during the second quarter, an increase of 14%. That would mark the first time the Chinese market has surpassed the United States, where PC shipments fell 4.8% to 17.7 million units during the same period. Impact: Obviously, with four times as many people as the U.S., China is just getting started whe.....

German Game Sales Grow

AUG. 19, 2011 • According to Germany’s trade group the Federal Association for Interactive Entertainment Software, sales of PC and video games software and income from online business models rose 1% in Germany during the first half of 2011 to €793 million. The trade group expects  growth to reach 3% by the end of the year. Impact: Games.com in Germany has become THE European trade sho.....

PlayStation 3 Price Cut

AUG. 16, 2011 • Sony issued an immediate worldwide PlayStation 3 price cut. The 160GB model will have new suggested MSRPs of ¥24,980, $249 and €249; down from ¥29,980, $299 and €299.  SCE is also reducing the price of the 320GB PS3 from ¥4,980, $349 and €349 to ¥29,980, $299 and €299. Impact: The PS3 has a carved out a level of success in each its three major retail markets: Japa.....

Google Acquires Motorola

AUG. 15, 2011 • Google Inc. will pay nearly $12.5 billion to acquire Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. Although Google has marketed its own Android phones with hardware sourced from partner electronics manufacturers, the acquisition of Motorola puts the company in direct competition with smartphone makers who use the Android OS. No change is expected in Google’s policy of giving rights to use Android to these hardware manufacturers for free in order to buil.....

Analysis Focus On Korean Game Publishers

AUG. 12, 2011 • South Korea is one of the most advanced PC online gaming markets in the world thanks to savvy Internet users and modern infrastructure – fast broadband, payment solutions, and security to name a few. However, there have not been many comprehensive reports on this unique Korean gaming market in the United States. With the growing acceptance of the free-to-play (F2P), micro-transaction model in the West, there .....

HTC Invests in Beats Electronics

AUG. 11, 2011 • The Taiwan-based smartphone maker HTC Corp is buying a 51% controlling share in U.S. specialty headphone designer Beats Electronics for $309 million. Beats markets enhanced headphones that reproduce a fuller spectrum of audio, and was launched by music producer Jimmy Iovine, and rap artist Dr. Dre. The move is seen as a way to enhance HTC’s products against competition from Apple and Samsung. .....

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