The popular Canadian retailer Future Shop has announced they have dropped the price of the Zune 8GB to $100 CAD, down from $150.
The deal will last for the next week on all colors and will prove to be a large undercut on American retailers and other Canadian retailers’ current prices. As of September, Microsoft’s official MSRP for the product is $150 CAD.
It is unclear whether Microsoft or Future Shop prompted the deal but it is odd to see a product at such a high discount while it is still relatively new and not a clearance item.
Future Shop is also selling the 120GB model Zune for $234 CAD, $16 CAD lower than the MSRP.
Result for: Zune
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: Zune
Citing “robust demand” for Xbox 360 consoles, Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices division (Xbox division) has finally reported a profit, making $89 million USD for the Q3 fiscal 2008.
“During the three months ended March 31, 2008, Xbox platform and PC game revenue increased $418 million or 85% primarily as a result of increased Xbox 360 console sales, Xbox 360 video game sales, and Xbox Live revenue,” the company said. “Xbox platform and PC game revenue increased $1.4 billion or 42% during the nine months ended March 31, 2008, as a result of increased Xbox 360 console sales, video game sales led by Halo 3, Xbox Live revenue, and Xbox 360 accessory sales.”
Total sales for the fiscal year were up 34 percent to $6.57 billion. Microsoft cited 7.5 million 360 sales for the huge revenue growth.
The other electronic in the division is the Zune media device, which also appears to have helped to bring about the profit for the Q3. Microsoft did not go into any details however.
Revenue and possibly profit is expected to see a large surge in the upcoming weeks with the release of Grand Theft Auto IV which has some analysts predicting $400 million USD in sales opening week for both the 360 and PS3.
