Console Shortages Loom For Christmas November 11, 2007

Read more Consoles , Gadgets , Games , Gizmodo UK , PS3 , Wii , Xbox

It may come as no surprise but console shortages for all of three main platforms are looking more likely for Christmas.

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According to MCV, the companies behind the Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 have all said that shortages could be on the cards as demand is expected to outstrip to supply.

This is a regular Christmas occurrence so reporting on it now might help those that really want a Wiimote for smashing up the living room this Christmas. They should be thinking about it now rather than in a few weeks when stupid people go insane, panic and convince themselves that two days before Christmas Day is a smart time to go shopping.

Nintendo UK general manager David Yarnton said: “Every year it seems to happen with stock being tight, and I don’t think that this year is going to be any different. We’ve got regular stock coming in. In terms of demand, we can’t predict whether that will be enough at the moment – probably not. But you can’t just turn on a tap with hardware.”

Reps from both Sony and Microsoft recommended early shopping as the only way to avoid disappointment. Well, the would – but you have been warned.-Martin Lynch

[MCV]


Carphone Warehouse Fumbles iPhone Launch November 11, 2007

Read more Apple , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Mobile Devices , Mobile phones , Smartphones , iPhone

uk iphone launch.jpg

The UK launch of the iPhone on Friday evening at hundreds of Carphone Warehouse outlets should have been a retail goldmine.

Instead, it was a shambles, according to PC Advisor, with many shoppers unable to get their hands on Apple's over-hyped phone thanks to Carphone's payment system crashing. Oh dear, this isn't what you need when the Apple bigwigs are in town and just about every TV station and journalist is zeroed in on the event like trigger-happy snipers.

For the first hour, or so, it is reported that cold and hungry shoppers couldn't flex their flexible friends since the Chip and PIN system crashed in many Carphone outlets. In the end, shoppers were finally allowed to pay cash - something not generally allowed by Apple for iPhone sales.

The problem was sorted out within the hour and not all stores were affected but, it's hardly the iPhone shopping frenzy Apple has been used to elsewhere.

More importantly, did Carphone make its own target of 10,000 sold in 4 hours?-Martin Lynch

[PC Advisor]

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