Sony has always stardet slowly. Look at the first year of PS2 games, look at the first year of PS1 games. Sony has always made releasing the machine the first priority and getting games onto it the second. They have changed nothing about how they run their console business with the exception of having to fix PR issues created by their own hubris. Other than that, this is business as usual for Sony.
Just because the PS2 sold off of hype alone doesn't mean Sony built itup any faster than they did for the PS1 that sold as well as the PS3 is selling now. Frankly, that was due to them doing very well in the previous generation and then launching their console at too low of a price.
As far as their failures with Walkman, there are a number of issues separating that from the PS3. Firstly, the company has been heavily reorganized since then. Secondly, even if they didn't complete screw up the iPod would have still taken a very large portion of Sony's marketshare anyway for the thing that they did right. And finally, Sony is slowly (as they are always want to do) recognizing, admitting, and most importantly fixing their mistakes. They see where they failed here, and while it's too late to undo the damage done they are taking steps to make their product more appealing in the future. That's something they never even bothered with when competing against the iPod.
And it's funny that I'm arguing with someone who, in making up their own terms for the argument instead of actually focusing on what I've said, is calling me an idealist when I'm far more pessimistic about this price cut than someone like stof. I dunno if this can catch them up in terms of WW sales, let alone close the larger gap that exists in NA. I think this can set them on the same path as the 360 in terms of WW sales over the next year, which is pretty good considering it has much stronger competition and a higher pricetag, but I don't think it's enough unless they also plan to cut another $100 in 12 months (which they probably do). They aren't taking number one back for a long time, but they aren't far off from beating the 360 either. The 360 merely has a one year start, and that's not the factor some people are claiming it to be.
You do not have the right to never be offended.
