The Blu-ray.com site has a promotion that could be the final straw in the current HD format war. According to the announcement/promotion:
“If you purchase a Blu-ray player (including the PS3) between July 1st and September 30th, you will automatically qualify to receive 5 Blu-ray movies absolutely free. Combine this with existing offers (like the 5 free Blu-ray movies with purchase of a Panasonic DMP-BD10A), and you could receive up to 10 free Blu-ray movies with the purchase of a player.
But wait, there’s more! If you decide you would like to purchase a PS3, Sony is offering a special deal through their retail Sony Style stores. Purchase a PS3, two games, and an extra controller from now until July 8th, and you will receive a $50 gift card.”
I wonder what Sony is going to do to promote this offer? It is a great offer if you are in the market to get a PS3 or if you have been sitting on the fence with Blu-ray.
I don’t know, I think they’re trying to boost sales in the slow months ahead of the Holidays.
Remember, they’re going to finalize specs. for BD Live which will add interactive features, leading to players with network connections (which may not necessarily be good) and 1 GB local storage to download little programs or alternate language tracks.
The PS3 may get a firmware update to get these features for free. But standalone players purchased before this new spec. would not get them obviously. This already-delayed spec. is suppose to become finalized in October.
wco81 – I agree, they are trying to move things during the summer, and they may be trying to clear inventory before they make a hardware change and/or price reduction. I could see them going 60GB (or higher) with software backwards compatability. Maybe even remove the memory stick adaptor and create some sort of USB adaptor. Anything to get the cost down a little.
I fully expect Sony to continue firmware updates for any new Blu-ray standard changes.