Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Contract-subsidized Xbox deal offers two new choices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/contract-subsidized-xbox-deal-offers-two-new-choices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/contract-subsidized-xbox-deal-offers-two-new-choices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/contract-subsidized-xbox-deal-offers-two-new-choices/#comments Microsoft's subsidized Xbox 360 offer expands to 250GB model, from $99Microsoft has revealed additional subsidized Xbox 360 options, for people who want to spend a month pretending they got a good deal. In addition to the 4GB system with Kinect for $99 (plus two years of Live at $14.99), Microsoft plans to add a 250GB system with an initial $99 payment and a 250GB/Kinect bundle at $149 to the deal.

It's currently unclear when these offers will be available: Microsoft says on the offer page that the new version of the "Entertainment for All Plan" (which is the marketing name for these "Secretly Expensive Consoles") is "coming soon."

JoystiqContract-subsidized Xbox deal offers two new choices originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contract-xboxentertainment-for-all-plankinectmicrosoftxboxTue, 23 Oct 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's $99 Xbox 360 part of a 'pilot program,' sold exclusively at MS Stores]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/microsofts-99-xbox-360-part-of-a-pilot-program-sold-exclusi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/microsofts-99-xbox-360-part-of-a-pilot-program-sold-exclusi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/microsofts-99-xbox-360-part-of-a-pilot-program-sold-exclusi/#comments Today's big Xbox 360 news isn't without tempering, it seems. "On May 7, we launched a pilot program at Microsoft Stores in the United States to test a new pricing model for the Xbox 360," a Microsoft spokesperson told Joystiq this morning when we followed up on the $99, two-year contract Xbox 360 announcement.

A pilot program, you say? Apparently the program's a "pilot" based on its extremely limited availability - the $99 Xbox 360 is only offered in "the 16 Microsoft Stores in the US." As for that two-year Xbox Live commitment, that won't include any of the rumored "various types of streaming content," as it's identical to a normal Xbox Live Gold subscription.

According to MS, the program, "aligns with our ongoing commitment to test new products and offers to understand how to best serve our customers." According to us, this is all very weird.

Continue reading Microsoft's $99 Xbox 360 part of a 'pilot program,' sold exclusively at MS Stores

JoystiqMicrosoft's $99 Xbox 360 part of a 'pilot program,' sold exclusively at MS Stores originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contract-xboxkinectmicrosoftpilot-programxboxMon, 07 May 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Stores offering $99 Xbox 360 with contract now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/99-xbox-360-with-contract/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/99-xbox-360-with-contract/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/99-xbox-360-with-contract/#comments ImageThe rumored $99 Xbox 360 with two-year $15 a month contract is official. It includes a Kinect, Xbox Live Gold service and a two-year warranty. The offer is now available on the Microsoft Store site.

The math works out to roughly $460 for the bundle over the next two years. Currently the 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle has a suggested retail price of $299 (although it can be found for less), with Xbox Live Gold subscriptions costing about $50 a year, for a grand upfront total of $399 (or less) if you bought today.

JoystiqMicrosoft Stores offering $99 Xbox 360 with contract now originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contract-xboxkinectmicrosoftmicrosoft-storexboxXbox-360Mon, 07 May 2012 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Xbox 360 getting $100, contract-subsidized Kinect bundle next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/rumor-xbox-360-getting-100-contract-subsidized-kinect-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/rumor-xbox-360-getting-100-contract-subsidized-kinect-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/rumor-xbox-360-getting-100-contract-subsidized-kinect-bundle/#comments Microsoft is preparing to take a page from the cell phone carrier playbook by offering the Xbox 360 at a substantial initial discount, followed by a two year subscription service, according to The Verge. The bundle, which would cost $100 up front and $15 a month afterwards, includes a Kinect, Xbox Live Gold service, a two-year warranty and possibly various types of streaming content. The package deal may go on sale as early as next week at Microsoft's various retail locations across the country.

Also like modern cell phone plans, an early termination fee would be associated with the service contract and levied against those who wish to leave their commitments early. Those who ride the entire contract out would end up paying roughly $460 for the bundle and its associated years of service. We've reached out to Microsoft for comment and will update as this story develops.

Update: Microsoft issued Joystiq the following statement: "We haven't made any announcements and we don't comment on rumor or speculation."

JoystiqRumor: Xbox 360 getting $100, contract-subsidized Kinect bundle next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 May 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contract-xboxkinectmicrosoftmicrosoft-storesubscriptionxboxWed, 02 May 2012 11:30:00 EST