After weeks of leaked catalog ads unofficially showed off the price cut, Microsoft has officially dropped the price of the Xbox 360 Elite today, with the console set to sell for $299 USD beginning tomorrow morning, in the United States.
The Pro model, which features a smaller HDD, will drop to $249.99, and seems to be on the way out, in favor of the Arcade and Elite models.
“With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s already time to start looking for entertainment and gifts that everyone will enjoy,” added Shane Kim, corporate vice president of strategy and business development for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp. “If you’re looking for deep experiences that don’t require deep pockets, now is the time to purchase an Xbox 360. We’ve got the best games, a vast library of TV shows and movies, new music experiences, more ways to connect friends and family, and so much more on the horizon including ‘Project Natal’ — no controller required.”
Result for: microsoft official
According to the French newspaper Les Echos, Microsoft officials have suggested that a third generation of its popular Zune media player is in the works and that a European launch of the player is coming in 2009.
The Zune, available since late 2006, has been a North American-only product so far despite repeated news reports and rumors that a launch in Europe is coming.
The new rumor, fueled by Microsoft France executive François Ruault, says the company will be releasing the Zune in France in 2009.
We will keep you updated.
Result for: microsoft official
According to a report from China.org.cn, Chinese citizens are upset over Microsoft’s latest anti-piracy tactics.
The software giant is bringing its Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) and Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) software to China next week, but the software will be more intrusive then it is for US users.
Users of pirated Windows will see reminders every few hours that they should purchase legitimate software and occasionally the software will turn your screen black. A Microsoft official described it this way:
“The user may reset the background to a wallpaper or another background color, but every 60 minutes, the desktop will be reset to a plain black color until the copy of Windows passes validation. In addition, a persistent notification will appear in the lower right corner of the desktop.”
Luckily for Chinese pirates, the software is opt-in so if they do not want it they do not have to download it.
