This is not good news (below story). Because of the management problems from CM, the uniView box costs them a bunch more to manufacture then was anticipated. If the WebTV manufacturers can lower their price with the rebate from WebTV, then the uniView will be to far out of the market price for these devices. CM can not be competitive. There is no way that CM could also give out a rebate on the use of the Xpressway and at the same time try and absorb the financially insane free 800 number costs too. Because Mitsubishi, did not comment on whether it plans to lower prices with the rebate, I wonder if this rebate is actually a 50/50 (or so) deal with WebTV instead. Perhaps not all of the rebate comes from WebTV. It seems that part of it is coming from the manufacture too. If not, why would Mitsubishi care one way or another, so long as the rebate was coming from WebTV 100%. They still would make the same amount of money if it were true. However, with my new thoughts, it makes you wonder.
WebTVs get cheaper Sony offers $100 rebate on both WebTV and WebTV Plus boxes
January 6, 1998
The price of WebTV boxes is being slashed, Sony Electronics said Tuesday. The original WebTV boxes, which rest atop television sets and connect users to the Internet via telephone lines, are now selling for $99, a $100 less than the original suggested retail price. Likewise, Sony has cut prices on its new WebTV Plus boxes -- which contain a hard drive for downloads and allow users to simultaneously watch television and access the Internet -- from $299 to $199. The lowered prices reflect a $100 rebate offered by WebTV to consumers over the holidays, Sony said. Another manufacturer of WebTV boxes, Mitsubishi, did not comment on whether it plans to lower prices. |
