PS3 and Zune prove Sony and Microsoft just don't get it

OK, not to be controversial or anything, but the more I learn about Sony's upcoming PS3 and Microsoft's Zune, the more I'm convinced these two companies have lost touch with their customers.

On the PS3 side, maybe it's all the time I've been spending with the PSP - a great piece of hardware handicapped by Sony's inability to give up any control of the device to a person actually willing to pay to own one. However, hearing about the PS3's issues with overheating (remind anyone of the XBOX 360 last year?), and the huge price for features that most people have no need for (what Blu-Ray exclusive movie do you want that badly?), leads me to believe that Sony felt that whatever they came up with, people would be willing to buy. I know they work with EA, and would think a little of the 3DO experience might have been transmitted at some point...

For the Zune, as Penny Arcade has so adroitly pointed out, Microsoft seems to have the same problem. You can use the Wi-Fi to share songs on a time limited basis, for a play limited number of times (evidently they couldn't decide which of those to use, and so decided to choose both), and that's it. The most obvious REAL uses a person would have for Wi-Fi on such a device aren't supported, and there's even a question of whether your current music library if you drank the Microsoft koolaid on an earlier device will still be supported. Maybe if they gave the devices away that might be a reasonable restriction - but to pay $250 for the privilege?

Fortunately, my kids have watched enough of Penn & Teller's Bullshit to recognize a con game when they see one, and the only Video Game accessory they're asking for this year is a Wii. I suspect I will have to indulge them in a unit :-)

Wrapping up - watched the third episode of Jericho last night. Things are definately getting interesting, but I need to see if someone caught a screen capture of the map from the satellite feed so I can avoid having to freeze frame the show on Tivo to get it myself...