MS hopes for iPod-like 'halo effect'
updated 09:30 pm EST, Tue December 20, 2005
MS looks to CE after Xbox
Microsoft, which recently for some models.
The columnist, however, thinks that the company cannot dethrone Apple, despite the reorganization to help unify its digital audio/video strategy: "Now, just as Apple managed to use the halo effect of iPod's success to win back market share in its once-fading personal computer business, the rumored scuttlebutt indicates that Microsoft is hoping for a halo effect with its Xbox 360 to enter other consumer electronics markets. Yes, Microsoft is the company behind the Halo video game series, but let's not be so quick to hand out halos here."
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2004
Overheating??
I think M$ needs to actually get themselves to the point of being able to sell XBox 360's in quantity and have them actually work before they can begin to hope for anything beyond not being a laughing stock.
Their XBox strategy clearly looks rushed in an effort to be first to market and beat rival Sony. They didn't rush to capitalize on the Christmas shopping season because they aren't producing enough of them to make that claim. Perhaps when they're got a working product that is available in some reasonable quantity then we can begin to wonder about the halo effect.
I think this is a wonderful example of cart before horse. But if you talk about it enough, then it's bound to come true. That seems to be what they teach in marketing these days so maybe it's just a case of tail wagging dog.