Taiwan: MP3 player price drop aims to fend off iPod Nano

[Steve]

Digi Times is reporting that, following the launch of the scratch-happy iPod Nano, MP3 manufacturers iRiver and BenQ have cut prices on their products in Taiwan, pre-empting the arrival of the Nano in Taiwanese stores.

The on-line pre-sale price of iRiver’s U10 1GB MP3/MP4 player, equipped with a 2.22-inch 260,000-color screen and a separate cradle and infrared remote control, dropped from NT$11,480 (US$346) to NT$9,990 (US$301), the sources indicated.

BenQ has reduced prices for its 512MB MP3 players from NT$2,990 (US$90) to NT$2,690 (US$81), the sources noted. In addition, BenQ has offered 5-10% price discounts to clear inventories of other existing models and will offer two to three new models in October.

To clarify, the iPod Nano isn't available in Taiwan yet, so BenQ and iRiver aren't hanging about to let Nano take away sales. Will it work? We'll see.

[Gfunk]

the Nano seems cool but i wouldnt have one, il probly crush it. and its an ipod.... but at least things should come a more realistic price, bit late for me tho considering i got my self a toshiba gigabeat f-40 a month or 2 ago.