EL SEGUNDO, CA -- With help from heavy marketing investment, differentiated technology and a willing user base, Microsoft Corp. surpassed its Kinect sales expectations for 2010 and also outperformed its cheaper rival, Sony's PlayStation Move. Microsoft initially had provided a conservative worldwide sell-in forecast of 5 million Kinect units. As it turned out, Microsoft beat that by a large margin, managing a retail channel sell-in of 8 million units by January 4, 2011. Actual worldwide Kinect device sell-through to consumers hit 6.36 million at the end of 2010.
In comparison, Sony posted sell-through figures of 5.23 million Move controllers by the end of 2010 in three types: standalone, starter kit—including camera—and as part of a console bundle. IHS estimates the sell-through enabled 4.26 million PS3s to play Move content on a worldwide basis, as more than one Move controller can be used by a single console. Sony's marketing investment in Move was dwarfed by Microsoft’s. And although the cheapest standalone Move controller was $100 lower than Kinect, Sony’s marketing investment showed in sales. Move went on sale more than a month earlier than Kinect.
Territory-specific performance for Kinect and Move, alongside five-year forecasts for the technology, can be found at:
Even though both companies spent millions on advertising, ultimately the sales reflect the more user friendly choice. Nintendo has held the market for years with the Wii. Sony has a huge following and according to some people a better platform and games. Where Microsoft did things right was allow for user response without relying on a remote. With Microsoft having a cheaper version of Xbox combined with Kinect, they will see more console sales just to use the Kinect system.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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