Journal #6262

Posted 14 years ago2009-12-07 23:35:53 UTC
Already some of you started your Christmas shopping, while others most likely will wait till the last minute to buy the gifts. Well, with that in mind, I came across this very interesting, but rather depressing story which I was not aware of.

Before you click on the link and start reading this messed-up story, please pay specific attention to the paragraphs related to the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Panasonic Lumix Cameras. Really, is any body here surprised by this corporate stupidity and greed?

Story: http://customsites.yahoo.com/financiallyfit/finance/article-108318-3394-3-gifts-you-may-want-to-avoid-html?ywaad=ad0035

16 Comments

Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 00:19:09 UTC Comment #59751
that is messed up
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 03:46:05 UTC Comment #59743
Anything to make a buck or fifty.
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 06:59:39 UTC Comment #59739
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This has to be a troll post. The PS3 controller is rechargeable.
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 07:50:25 UTC Comment #59741
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I hope YOU'RE the one trolling Penguinboy. They're obviously talking about non-removable rechargeable batteries. So you can't replace them when they die (though honestly, this must take a fuck of a long time to happen.) And probably the average determined nerd could pop one open and solder a new eBay unit in or something.
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 07:54:43 UTC Comment #59747
But can you replace the batteries?
Edit: ninja.
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 08:37:23 UTC Comment #59745
The determined nerd uses a PC, not a PS3.

Ok, now I'm trolling, just ignore me.
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 09:47:13 UTC Comment #59746
Nah, it's just an opinion ATDestroy. And I agree with it.
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 10:42:34 UTC Comment #59737
Started Christmas shopping in February, finished the other day. I hate shopping just about as much as I hate people so I do in short bursts throughout the year to avoid the rush and screaming children (stab stab stab)
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 12:07:42 UTC Comment #59748
Okay, after doing some more research, and in the spirit if being fair, this needs to be pointed out:

The PS3 controller is indeed recharble. But here's the catch: It's only good for a limited amount of recharges. After that, it's useless and needs to be replaced with a new one. This of course defeats the purpose of the PS3 controller ever being traded or sold as a used item in a second-hand store. Also, certain rechargeable batteries are notorious for breaking down before their time. Laptop batteries anyone?

And last but not least, there's this little quote from Sony themselves that pretty much fails any counter arguments from anybody saying this story is not true - Quote: "there's an environmental benefit since gamers don't have to toss their batteries on a regular basis". Mmm, sounds to me like a confession from Sony.

Crave.com posted this very enlighten report that really goes in to details in to this whole fiasco. If any of you have any doubts, I highly recommend you read it: http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2008/10/13/sony-ps3-controller-charger-reminds-us-what-we-hate-about-the-ps3/
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 16:18:18 UTC Comment #59740
srry: I thought of that, but assumed that it was not what was being referred to, because as you say, it would take ages and you would quite easily get your money's worth out of the controller before the battery ran out. Hell, I bet you'd go through more than 50 bucks worth of AA batteries in the same time, so the PS3 way probably ends up as the cheaper solution.

I prefer the PS3's way of doing it, personally. Replacing batteries gives me the shits. When you have a rechargeable battery, you can always just plug it into the console to recharge, but on other consoles you have to go and buy some more batteries.

The article is so vaguely worded that it would lead some people to think that the PS3 controller is one-use-only. By the reasoning used in the article, you could pretty much put anything on the list, using the reason: "The quality of this product degrades over time."
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 16:32:39 UTC Comment #59738
Where's the environmental benefit of tossing the WHOLE controller away?
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 17:40:39 UTC Comment #59744
PB, on the 360 you can buy a rechargeable battery, although it should come with the controller. It is useful, it's easily the most useful peripheral that I've ever bought.
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 21:24:18 UTC Comment #59736
lern2hotwire.

[dork] I did that with an old Game Boy that only took batteries and my mom refused to constantly buy me more. It was easy. Although if you get zapped, you're doing it wrong. I then played Pokemon Blue until it went out of style. [/dork]
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-08 22:03:38 UTC Comment #59750
I played it after it went out of style!
:D
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-09 03:14:36 UTC Comment #59742
The thing is though, it's not like rechargeable AA or even proprietary batteries don't exist. And it's not like Sony couldn't provide a removable battery pack. That "lol its gud for environment" excuse is the most pathetic sounding bullshit excuse I've heard in a while, and it doesn't even make sense. If Sony gave two shits about the environment instead of just making big bucks and screwing over their customers, they'd let you choose your own batteries or make them replaceable.
Commented 14 years ago2009-12-09 14:51:04 UTC Comment #59749
I could not have said it better than you, srry.

Hey, as bad as Sony sounds, don't forget about Panasonic's Lumix cameras automatically rejecting other makers' batteries, that's really bad too.

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