Australia was the first one to receive it. Then was Japan. And today its USA’s turn to snag Microsoft Xbox 360 cheaper than any of the current gen consoles. The new prices come in effect from today and gamers will be able to buy the console starting from $199.99 for the Arcade, $299.99 for the Elite and $399.99 for Pro version.

Xbox 360

UPDATE: The price cut is official. 60GB Xbox 360 will cost Yen 29,800 ($270) while the Elite version will sell at Yen 39,800 ($370).

Japanese business newspaper, Nikkei is reporting that Microsoft will cut Xbox 360 prices in Japan. Expected anytime today, the new price for the Arcade version will be almost 29% down to Yen 19,800 (USD182) from the previous Yen 27,800 (USD256). Other versions will also see the price cut but the new prices are unknown. However, if we apply the same percentage cut to the remaining models, then the new expected price could be around Yen 24,800 (USD229) for Pro and Yen 34,000 (USD315) for Elite.

The move obviously comes to attract more sales and also tackle the local sellers like Nintendo and Sony. Just like in Australia, Xbox 360 will be cheaper to procure than a Wii.

Xbox 360 Japan

[Via Yahoo]

UPDATE: Vodafone iPhone Plans

UPDATE 2: Airtel iPhone 3G price

iPhone 3G hits India on this Friday and out of the two exclusive operators, Vodafone is the first one to reveal the prices. And the prices SUCK. If you have got enough money to burn then 8GB will cost you Rs. 31,000 ($709) and Rs. 36,100 ($826) for 16GB. This price does not include any data or voice plans and the contract details are still unconfirmed.

Airtel is yet to reveal the iPhone prices and we still reckon they’ll pwn Vodafone’s gameplan.

Vodafone Page

E-mail Transcript:

Thank you for registering for your Apple iPhone 3G with us.

We are delighted to announce that the iPhone 3G will be available in India from August 22, 2008
It will be available in 8GB & 16GB models, priced at Rs 31,000 and Rs 36,100 respectively.

Be the first to get the iPhone

We have received a large number of registrations. As there are limited stocks, make sure that you get yours first, by paying an advance of Rs 10,000 to confirm your booking.

Where can you make this advance payment?

The iPhone 3G will be available at select Vodafone Stores. All you need to do is drop in at any select Vodafone Store between August 20 and 21 and make the advance payment by cash or credit card. Don´t forget to show the iPhone booking SMS, which you would have received from us, when you visit the Vodafone Store to pay the advance. To find a Vodafone Store near you, click here

Get an appointment now. No queues for you.

Once you pay the advance, we will immediately give you an appointment date and time, starting August 22 when you can come and experience a full demonstration and collect your iPhone, all ready to use with your contacts and settings, by paying the balance amount.

Hurry! Limited stocks.

Remember, the sooner you confirm your booking, the earlier you´ll get your iPhone. We have limited stocks and it will be on first come, first serve basis.

Buy a Vodafone connection now!

As you are not a Vodafone customer, you will need a Vodafone connection for your iPhone 3G.
We recommend that when you come to confirm your booking, please do get yourself a Vodafone connection too. Remember to carry a passport sized picture, photo ID proof and address proof as these are required for activating your Vodafone SIM card.

Happy to help

If you have any queries, log on to www.vodafone.in/iphone or call us on 9820098200 and we´ll be happy to help.

Hurry and be one of the first to make the iPhone 3G your own.

UPDATE: Our sleuth turned out to be wrong. Here’s the official price.

Our sleuth hiding in one of the Airtel offices has discovered something important which we all had been waiting for the past 2 weeks. In a short breath he spilled some juicy details on iPhone 3G pricing as well as on other things. The 8GB iPhone 3G will cost in a price bracket of Rs. 15,000 ($350) – Rs. 18,000 ($420) and 16GB will be close (mostly under) to Rs. 30,000 ($700). So let us please trash the previous pricing rumors. However, the contractual details are still unclear.

The iPhone 3G’s monthly rent will be under Rs. 1000 (~900). That’s expensive but worthy to give you one of the best browsing experience. Unlike normal Airtel users visiting Airtel Live!, iPhone users will have an exclusive portal. We just hope it’s not an optimized version of Airtel Live! though.

Lastly, on a marketing note, Airtel will pitch the 16GB more by luring people with some enticing offers. The 8GB does not get this benefit.

Aussie gamers can now snag Xbox 360 at a lower price than Wii. Latest price cuts make Xbox 360 the cheapest next gen console in the Australian region. The new prices are:

Xbox 360 Arcade: AUD349
Xbox 360 Pro: AUD499
Xbox 360 Elite: AUD649

Xbox Australia

Kmart’s weekly ad has spilled up some price drop hints for Xbox 360. According to the ad, from July 6 Xbox 360 will be available for $300. That’s 50 bucks less or approx. 15% cheap for the Pro version which is bundled with a 20GB HDD. No details on Elite or Arcade versions but expect the same ratio.

Via Kotaku]