Earlier this year, CNET published a report stating that the retail usage of clamshell packaging (sealed hard plastic shells often used to pack electronics) is nearing extinction due to high production costs and environmental concerns. Amazon was the first to switch over to "Frustration Free Packaging", a service they offer which packs certain items in easy-to-open recyclable cardboard. Shortly thereafter, the New York Times reported that other companies, such as Best Buy, Microsoft and Sony would soon shuck the use of clamshells as well.
At least one-third of that report appears to be true -- Sony recently announced that they'd stop shipping their electronics in the laceration-prone packaging, and are working on finding a "new alternative" which they'd implement soon. To display their dedication, they even made a promotional video for their latest internal business conference. It's posted after the break, and is cheesy enough to instantly kill any lactose-intolerant viewers. You've been warned.
Seriously, I just got my PSEye a few days ago and that packaging was a bitch. Also, what do you use it for? I bought mine for LBP, but I would like to use it as much as possible.
I got mine for Eye of Judgement (which I haven't had time to play yet) and also cause I thought my Eyetoy games from PS2 would work with it (they don't). I use it the same, as a mic and sticker maker for LBP. I'll be using it as a mic for tons more games too. Really wished it worked with my PS2 games though.
Mainly for Voice chats, it's good to talk to my friends with it, two or three people in a chat room we have a good laugh, I barely use it on LBP but i could..I bought Trails of Topoq after i got it, good game, too short though. Oh and Memzerised.
Heard all about this on NPR the other day. I agree, some of the packaging is ridiculously hard to get into. But it makes me wonder if this is really something financially worthwhile for them to address right now?
It's just packaging. I don't quite follow why now, of all times, they want to throw RnD money at something like this.
It has to be remembered that plastics are a by-product of the oil industry, so it's been getting more and more expensive to produce. Meanwhile, governments with green agendas are taxing this kind of wastage, so this is a good move on Sony's part. Plus it's a good, cheap PR buzz.
well im really glad you dont work for sony. its nice they are actually doing something for the consumer, even if they arent the only ones benefiting from it.
I posed a rather open ended question, got some great answers, and I'm getting voted into oblivion? I don't usually care about that but find it a little odd in this instance.
Did clamshell packaging come along with an early and frustrating holidays to some folks or what.
There's not a lot of RnD necessary unless they plan to develop their own brand new type of packaging or something. There are dozens of different ways things are packaged (or more) so it wouldn't be a huge investment to switch to some other type. :P
But it's kind of crap that you go voted down. You're so completely wrong, but you're not a jerk about it. xP
DAMN YOU BEAR! YOUR SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH IS THE ONLY THING I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR!!! That, or you getting Space Giraffe, and being thoroughly disappointed. Thoroughly, I SAY!
though sennheiser is a great company, hardly a great idea to use their headphones in a clamshell box when talking about sony saying farewell to the clamshell. a simple pic of a sony discman cd player would do that job just fine.
As the article cited production costs, I would say this is a great time to examine alternatives that will help both the bottom line, be less frustrating for customers and less wasteful.
As a small business owner, I can say that packaging (both for retail and shipping) is one of the areas we constantly look at to improve, whether times are good or bad. It's so easy to waste money in packaging, therefore also many chances for some inventive solutions to reduce cost.
Gah, it scares me to think how much time I've actually spent thinking about packaging.
The video was cheesy, yes, but I still love it because they understand how much consumers hate this type of packaging and they are actually going to do something about it.
I've always thought it was unsafe as well. I don't think I've ever been cut. but I have got that feeling that it seems like I just got a paper cut but actually didn't, I hate that feeling. I also hate having to find scissors to open the product that I just purchased
They should make clamshell packaging the next weapon in Left 4 Dead. You open it up then use the sharp edges to kill zombies with. It should kill the Tank in one hit!
Yeah, I hate that kind of packaging. Wii Points cards come in that. It's a real ordeal to get them out of there. If you don't have a decent pair of scissors, you're screwed.
Actually this is the packaging to the headphones I just blew out by hooking them up to my drums (instead of my studio 'phones, whoops).
That packaging was actually really really nice. Like, you undo this tab and open up the front, and then the plastic on the front just pops right off. It was like Christmas but better.
Those headphones may be well-packed - but I bought a pair of cheap Sennheiser in-ear phones earlier this year and they were in one of the horriblest clamshell packs I've ever had the misfortune to try to open.
Hopefully this massive 'R+D' investment into JUST USE A FUCKING CARDBOARD BOX FFS will pay dividends real soon.
The package in the joystiq picture is not a clamshell.
Clamshell packages were partially initiated by Wal-Mart, the thickness of plastic is specified by them and this supposed to be thick enough to keep people from opening them easily in stores (and steal stuff).
They are quite popular with warehouse clubs, I once saw a PS2 (slim), extra controller and a game in a huge clamshell at CostCo. Each of the things were in their own boxes (including the PS2) with the clamshell encapsulating all 3 boxes.
Costco are definitely the worst example. I hate how their DVDs and games have about a foot of plastic coated cardboard going off in all directions, with indestructible beady things around the edge.
Owning a pair of HD555s, I can attest that the package is easy to open, unlike clamshell packages. The plastic you can see in the image is not glued to anything, simply held in by folded cardboard.
"...other companies, such as Best Buy, Microsoft and Sony would soon shuck the use of clamshells as well.
At least one-third of that report appears to be true..."
Just a minor correction, it's at least two-thirds. Microsoft was one of the first to partner with Amazon, and offer products with Amazon's FFP initiative.
I've bought like 9 pair of those headphones, and every time I think, "why couldn't they just stop using this frustrating, wasteful clamshell packaging."
I REALLY hope this serves as an example, as I H.A.T.E clamshell packaging I was very close to phoning microsoft after opening and xbox360 controller recently, because it took my about 20-30 mins to safely open (I even googled). They are stupid. Let ignore the wastefulness for a second they ARE DANGEROUS to open as there is NO way to open them without sharp tools, and using them in risky ways. As a guitarist who has to look after my fingers and a lab tech (if I have an open wound I can't work!). I think this entirely unsuitable packaging should be abolished immediately and NEVER looked back upon with anything but disgust.
yah it was annoying but i just use my hunting knife it slices thru it like butter i used it last when i bought my fuckin 1600 microsoft points card a couple months ago
I've got a pair of those headsets (well, actually, a model up, the 595), and the packaging is FAR from clamshell. It's wasteful and excessive, sure, but it's easy to get into. Theres a little cardboard tab on the box you pull that unlocks the box, which then opens out like the picture above. The plastic shell just lifts off the headphones, no scissors or knives required, can all be opened nicely by hand.
Ofcourse, the only way I remember about this is because I thought it was clamshell at the time, and I still think it's over-the-top wasteful packaging (a full cardboard locking mechanism for crying out loud.
