Sony’s 5 Biggest Gadget Blunders

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Sony-PS-VitaWhen Sony‘s (NYSE:SNE) Playstation Vita hits the shelves next month, there’s no doubt millions of gamers will flock to their local GameStop (NYSE:GME) or Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) to purchase the latest in portable gaming technology. Or is there? Based on early sales returns (the Vita has already been released in Japan) some critics are already declaring the next gen portable a disaster.

Will the Playstation Vita end up like Sony’s other failures? Here’s a peak at a few of their worst creations:

PSP Go

PSPGoBuying a video game system without having to buy physical games for it sounded very promising until people found out the digital version of their favorite titles were just as expensive. Add a steep $250 price tag to the portable device and the PSP Go is now the PSP Gone.

BetaMax

Betamax_TapeThe BetaMax was unveiled in 1975 when Sony was riding high on the wave of its technological genius. However, the genius they touted and the superior picture quality they lauded was no match for JVC’s VHS format. When studios said they preferred recording length over picture quality, the credits began rolling on Sony’s BetaMax.

PS3 Launch Price

Sony PS3I try to live my life knowing that you get what you pay for. This means, if I empty my wallet, the service or product I get in return should be filled with absolute quality. In 2006 Sony announced its newest video game system, the PlayStaton 3, would cost up to $599. And although the system offered gamers an impressive entertainment system, the price made Microsoft’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) less expensive Xbox 360 a no brainer — arguably the reason why the PS3 isn’t leading the pack in the video game industry like its predecessor, the PS2.

Sony eVilla

Sony_eVillaThis was a stinker of an “entertainment center” that tried to compete with expensive PCs. However, Sony’s refusal to support Shockwave and Windows Media and its $500 price tag (including monthly charges) resulted in Sony scrapping the eVilla after only two months after its release.

MiniDisc

Sony-MiniDisc-WalkmanIn 1992, Sony came up with a way to give music junkies a better quality choice than cassette and a cheaper option than recordable CDs. Unfortunately, counting on CD-R to remain at high prices was a mistake — as the cost of making CDs dropped precipitously. Also, the advent of MP3s doomed the MiniDisc as it caught on in North America.

Read the full story on Yahoo.

Like gadgets? Check out the top five gadgets at CES 2012.

— Andrew Lander, InvestorPlace @andrewlander


Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2012/01/sony-biggest-gadget-blunders-sne/.

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