On top of this ioi uses other tracking firms and official releases from the console manufacturers and videogame publishers to estimate the sales. Although the numbers are never 100% accurate on any given week, he has enough data for the sales numbers to be accurate relative to eachother, and over time the numbers become more accurate.

Do you have a link to an ad? I think I am going to go get one now.

Also, I haven't been too up-to-date on all the specs, but the current 80 gig has backwards compatibility... correct?

no BC on this model.  the MGS bundle is the only one with BC atm i believe. 

   Actually Walmart releases highly detailed numbers broken down in tons of ways and very easily searchable.  Of course, they only release those numbers to vendors (I worked for a vendor that made cheap chinese crap for Walmart to my everlasting shame) but those numbers do exist both externally and internally within Walmart's vendor system.

   That lack of Walmart helps explain how a spike in sales didn't show up the last time they did this.

u scared me. cause the only way the 360 can win holidays is if the prices stay the same. there would be a 360 fanboy meltdown if a surprise ps3 price cut was announced.

All stores will run their own personal deals.

Hell, the other day I saw that if you sign up for service with AT&T and get a specific phone, they give you a free 360.

Holidays are here.

 I meant to tracking firms.

I can almost guarantee that they will not be letting you turn around and use the gift card on the same purchase.  No retailer ever allows that.  Unless they were doing that last time and I didn't hear about it.