iPhone and Zune become new competitors
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Jan 9th 2007 at 3:50PM }
Apple's announcement of the iPhone has changed a lot of things: it is a device that has the potential to strike terror into the hearts of all electronics and gaming companies. The iPhone comes with features that a PSP owner would die for: a gorgeous 480x320 display, with 2MP camera, Bluetooth, OS X, iTunes video and music, and up to 8GB of storage (oh yeah, it makes phone calls too). All in a profile that fits in less than 12mm. It has the potential to change gaming, as explained by Joystiq. With its dual touch screen, PS3-styled accelerometer, and Internet capabilities, this device can do seemingly everything that the PSP and DS can do. But, will its high PS3-styled price scare off consumers? $600 including a 2-year contract with Cingular is a mighty price to swallow. The PSP at $200 (not including memory) seems like a bargain compared to this device. Although the iPhone is a phone, and not a gaming machine, it will certainly compete against the PSP, especially as a multimedia device.
Microsoft also announced that it will enter the portable games market with its Zune, however PSP fans should have nothing to worry about. The games will be comparable to the games available on iTunes ... and the Zune's install base is nothing to write home about. If Microsoft were serious about portable games, they'll show off something far more impressive than today's announcement. However, it's clear that the portable gaming battle is no longer going to stay as a simple two-sided battle: Apple and Microsoft will both make things a bit more complicated.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
pixelator @ Jan 9th 2007 5:28PM
At $350, an 80GB iPOD is a pretty solid deal in terms of what you can do with it: Tons of MP3 storage, loads of video through iTunes, whole TV series and whatever else you want to cram on it all playable through the video cables.
So we have a super-iPOD with a phone service stuck on, total lack of proper game controls (accelerometer and touchscreen my ass - it needs buttons and some kind of decent pad) and no word on the graphics hardware.
I don't care if it's running OS X CHRIST EDITION (and trust me, Apple fans think ANY Jobs product is exactly that), with that price tag it's not going anywhere.
This isn't a PSP competitor by any stretch of the imagination. It does show what we might be enjoying in the next handheld gen, however - better motion and touchscreen inputs and higher screen to plastic real estate ratio, for starters.
SuicideNinja @ Jan 9th 2007 5:49PM
"The PSP at $200 (not including memory) seems like a bargain compared to this device. "
A PSP with an 8GB card would be $500-550 without phone features or a touch screen or a slim size.
Saying the $200 PSP is a bargain without memory might as well be saying that the $300 hard-drive-less 360 Core system is a bargain. Which it isn't.
I don't think the PSP has anything to worry about. These exclusive phone deals are a bit ridiculous. I'm doubtful people will drop the $200 to get out of their current provider's contracts just to get this phone.
And the Zune is well...an overpriced audio/video device, just like the iPod.
wow @ Jan 9th 2007 6:27PM
that costs as much as a PS3!!!
pixelator @ Jan 9th 2007 6:22PM
"Saying the $200 PSP is a bargain without memory might as well be saying that the $300 hard-drive-less 360 Core system is a bargain. Which it isn't."
That's why he said BY COMPARISON. And you know as well as I do that a simple 32MB Memory Stick (plenty for save games, if not video) is a negligible cost.
nerdXcore @ Jan 9th 2007 7:00PM
In the span of that 2-year contract Apple will release 6,000 different versions of the iPhone, each one leaps and bounds better than the first-gen model.
No thank you.
Adam @ Jan 9th 2007 7:28PM
iPhone is going to do awesome. It's going to put the nail in the coffin for the PSP.. which is already in a coffin about to close
bxbailey @ Jan 9th 2007 7:58PM
I just wish sony would use the PSP to it's full potential by now. I mean they haven't shown that they want the PSP to have content like the Ipod has itunes yet. Now they have let Apple steal thier thunder, it may not do games but you can damn be sure there will be available content at reasonable pricing day one.
ace @ Jan 9th 2007 8:24PM
6. """iPhone is going to do awesome. It's going to put the nail in the coffin for the PSP.. which is already in a coffin about to close"""
ignorance.
++good @ Jan 9th 2007 8:44PM
I'd rather have the PS3. I hate iTunes.
crunchb3rry @ Jan 9th 2007 9:34PM
The iPhone looks cool. But the fool who designed it needs to look up the word "clamshell" in a dictionary. Either that or sell a folio case and a pair of white butler gloves with each one.
pixelator @ Jan 9th 2007 11:44PM
6: I can't wait until you rabid trolling Nintendo fanboys see the outcome of Wii vs. PS3 (or 360 in the USA) in another year or two. The whining and crying and accusations will be heard around the world.
neyLa @ Jan 9th 2007 10:10PM
$600?! For a PHONE?! *chokes*
Though I'm sure everyone I know will have one within a week of its release. Lol trends.
Merc25 @ Jan 9th 2007 10:34PM
Please tell me you are being sacastic Andrew , because the Zune and the iPod are competing directly with each other. Their games will the the stuff you find on your phones. If we are count them as competition to the PSP or the DS we would have to count every model of cell phone as competing with them as well.
Adam @ Jan 9th 2007 10:54PM
i just watched steve's intro of the iphone and it is really revolutionary. 600 dollars is quite steep, but in 2 years who knows what it will cost and at that point i will buy one. i think apple is about 10 years away from getting serious about gaming (just look at how few actual computer games they have). The iPhone really is amazing for the PHONE market. i don't think that it will shake up the game market so much.
mike @ Jan 10th 2007 2:09AM
"$600?! For a PHONE?! *chokes*"
It was a 2.5 hr presentation. Are you high? It does way more than a phone.
You're on crack if you think the price is too high. When will you guys learn.
iPod mini anyone?
brian @ Jan 10th 2007 2:46AM
The iPhone isn't competing against the PSP. Don't delude yourselves.
Until the PSP gets cell service, easy syncing, easy software development and a touch screen, it's not even in the same league.
Don @ Jan 10th 2007 2:59AM
What does this "dual touch screen" mean?
Alien @ Jan 10th 2007 12:39PM
This is NOT competition , the PSP will loose soon even from this price and the memory cost is droping day bi day . Oh and do you see that and the Zune , none of them are good gaming machines from point of view of design .
Jay @ Jan 10th 2007 6:17PM
iPhone. No removal battery. No expandable memory. And how much do they want us to pay? Not cool. Not clever.
mike @ Jan 11th 2007 12:40AM
"I don't care if it's running OS X CHRIST EDITION (and trust me, Apple fans think ANY Jobs product is exactly that), with that price tag it's not going anywhere."
First iPod. Verbatim.
sam @ Jan 11th 2007 3:12AM
im waiting for sony's answer
psp with integrated 2mp camera/gps
wireless g/bluetooth/(insert optional cellphone service)
a decent web browser + iphone/cellphone like apps(calender/calculator/etc)
qwerty drop down keyboard
integrated 4-8gb+ flash
memorystick slot for more storage
wireless sync similar to zune (for like music sharing with other psp's and transfering music or whatever)
able to sync with ps3 or pc
it would cost $1000 and only be sold in japan :P