Thing is, Kinect isn't a fun experience for 150 bucks because you need a console to hook it up. The price is way higher than that for non 360 owners

The Wii is already the complete package.

@ OP When will numbers for Kinect be available?

The Wii sold most of its units at the $250 price point, Xbox 360 with Kinect is $300.  $50 is not a deal breaker especially since it can also play DVDs and has HD graphics.

The market has changed.  When the Wii was $250, there was no Kinect while the Core 360 was $300.  Now, we have a base model 360 Slim with Kinect compared to a $200 Wii with two games a Motion Plus.  $300 for a base model 360 Slim with Kinect is not bad.  But in today's market there is a much bigger difference with the Wii.

A couple other thoughts:

- If Kinect sells primarily to existing X360 owners - initially - its not a bad thing. Existing X360 owners who buy Kinect will be less likely to buy another system, and even though there is a hit to games purchased per year from such a big non-console item, given the budgets people have. In the long run its probably a neutrel impact to games sold per existing consumer since it makes X360 look fresh.

- Target is off and on the strongest Wii retailer in the USA. So the fact that X360 Kinect and Kinect standalone bundles are doing well there is promising. Before, Target was one of Microsoft's weaker retailers in the USA.

- We're not going to be to tell much about what Kinect itself is pushing - COD is so big that it probably pushes some hardware even before it launches. Moreover, in the USA hardware tends to start rising, almost regardless of software once we get into November.

As already pointed out, looks like a lot the move release... Still plenty of bundle but all stand alone are sold out. Both devices sold mostly to existing owner. Later it will be more interesting to see if the first owner can recruit new one as it happens with the wii.

I did come back from Wal-Mart, running an errand.  Here's what I found...

Then I swung by Gamestop again today.  I first reported in another thread that the sales guy said that Kinect wasn't selling too good (which annoyed some here) when I stopped by during lunch.  They hadeight standalone Kinects in stock including four of the eight being new stock that just arrived this morning.  When I went back in tonight from being in Wal-Mart, Gamestop sold two since then.  This time I was told by someone of the night crew that a lot of people are inquiring about them.

I'm not making a comparison to the current Wii.  The original point was that people will spend $250 if it's a fun experience and $300 is not that big a difference.  This isn't about whether they would rather spend money on the current Wii or Xbox 360, just whether the price is too much to even consider for casuals, clearly it isn't.

Dad's love it because they can play CoD on it.  Moms love it because Kinect has great fitness software.  If you wanted a Wii with Wii Fit it would cost you $300.  Parents both love it because it gets the kids off the couch.  Kids love it because it's fun and easy for them to play without having to know how to use a controller.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j4l0lWfEEc

AGAIN, different market.  You'd be naive to buy a "new" never-been-used 5 year old plasma TV at its original price in today's market when Plasma tech has advanced while paying less for it.  Do I need to explain further?

While not an exhaustive or representative sample (and there may be some inaccuracy), looking at Futureshop.com I haven't seen it listed as being out of stock in any retail store location I have looked at; although it has been sold out online.

Yes, you're missing the point.

When the TV was new and state of the art it was worth $2000 and you were willing to pay it.  You wouldn't pay $2000 for that TV now since it's no longer state of the art.  However, you would still be willing to spend $2000 an a new TV that is brand new, state of the art and way more sophisticated  with better picture and features than what you bought 5 years ago.

The amount of money you spend isn't the issue, it's what you're getting for your money.

Kinect is perceptibly way more advanced than the Wii (especially to casuals), not to mention the Xbox is way more advanced as well.  HD graphics, better sound and more features.