Smartphone Data Use Explodes

SEPT. 27, 2009 • Mobile carriers are petitioning the Federal Communications Commission with the argument that their existing 450MHz of total spectrum is not sufficient to handle the surge of demand for wireless services by consumers buying smartphones like the Blackberry and iPh.....

Blizzard’s Sams An NFL Owner

SEPT. 27, 2009 • Blizzard Ent. chief operating officer Paul Sams is announced as part of the new ownership group of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers. The franchise reorganization followed the sale of team stock by members of the Rooney and McGinley families to Steelers preside.....

Wii Now $199

SEPT. 23, 2009 • After seeing a 50% dip in U.S. sales since the first quarter of 2009 (NPD Funworld data), Nintendo of America lowered the MSRP of its Wii console to $199. The system will still be bundled with Wii Sports, as Nintendo believes that game is the most suitable entry poin.....

THQ & EA Takeover Targets?

SEPT. 22, 2009 • Rumors on Wall Street suggest both THQ and Electronic Arts are take-over targets. Time Warner Inc., fast after its acquisition of Midway Games, is said to be the primary suitor for THQ. EA is said to be the target of Microsoft Corp. Many financial analysts cannot explain .....

Netflix 360 Rebate

SEPT. 22, 2009 • Although no reason was provided, Netflix is sponsoring a $50 mail-in rebate for purchases of Xbox 360 Elites between Sept. 22 and Oct. 5. Although Microsoft did recently reduced the system to $299, the previously included HDMI cable was eliminated. Most.....

NetEase Gets OK for WoW

SEPT. 20, 2009 • After many delays in taking control of operations of World of Warcraft in China, on June 7 NetEase was finally allowed to go back into full operation of the MMO by the Chinese government. NetEase can now sign up new customers to the MMO. Chinese officials had.....

Aion Draws Pre-Orders

SEPT. 17, 2009 • Leading up to its Sept. 25 release NCsoft reported that its Aion MMO had attracted 400,000 pre-orders. The publisher attributed much of the interest was a result of the enhanced localization the South Korean title went through in order to make it as appealing as possible for western game.....