Everyone acts like it's the end of the world that the PS3 launched for $600, when the average game players age is 29, and game buyers age is 36; both of whom should theoretically be able to afford one if they so desired. But the iPhone is released on to the market at $600, and no one bats an eye to pick the thing up.

I've not heard one complaint or concern expressed over the price of this phone. Not to mention the mandatorily standard 2 year service contract, and additional monthly data package necessary to use the phone to its potential. Don't get me wrong, I'll probably end up with an iPhone 2nd or 3rd gen, and for that, I'm thankful I have Cingular (err.. I mean ATT), but I don't completely understand it.

Now I here people talking about the idea that $499.99 isn't cheap enough. After all the games that were announced at Sony's conference yesterday, I don't really see a problem with buying a PS3 at $500. Suck it up and be sure to get your five free BD's before you walk out the door.

Is this simply the difference between the cellular and videogame hardware markets (because it's a common thing for phones to be priced expensively at launch), is this more based on the on the differing public faces of Sony and Apple, or is this just a result of the idea that people still consider videogames toys, and a not mature and/or respectable options of entertainment worth spending that amount of money on?

=$ilver