The rumors were true: Microsoft is pricing its Kinect sensor add-on for the Xbox at $150.
(For that $149.99, existing Xbox 360 console owners can get the Kinect device plus a copy of Kinnect Adventures, to be precise, company officials said on July 20.)
Microsoft also announced a bundle of the new Xbox 360 4GB console, Kinect, and Kinect Adventures will be available for $299.99. The new, black-matte Xbox 4GB console begins shipping August 3 in the U.S. and is available by itself for $199.99.
Some Microsoft analysts are skeptical that Microsoft will be able to sell multiple millions of Kinect sensors for $150. They argue the price should have been considerably lower (closer to $100 or so), given the fact it is an add-on. Also, as CNBC noted in a story earlier this week, Kinect will have 15 supporting titles from Microsoft and selected partners when it launches on November 4, “which won’t be a big incentive for people who don’t own an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 to pick one up.” (The Kinect titles will be $49.99 each.)
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said earlier this year that he considered Kinect to be Microsoft’s most exciting product launch in calendar 2010.
So what’s your take?
Poll
Did Microsoft make a misstep with its Kinect pricing?
As I’ve said many times before, I think Microsoft is overemphasizing its consumer products to the detriment of its money-making (and high-margin) business ones. I think this whole “Consumerization of IT” notion is overrated. You?
