Comment Groundbreaking move? (Score 0) 117
I think this is an interesting move, although not new. Offering a starter kit to an online service definetely opens the possibility to reach customers that you might not reach otherwise: They see a box on the shelf that they can touch and actually buy. You know, with cash. That has a certain appeal to some people. And the manual comes with it, too. A real printed one.
The Xbox Live starter kit is a similar approach. Of course both starter kits still include a "real" product: A headset.
I wonder what other online products will show up on shelfes in the months and years to come (besides iTunes and Napster gift cards...)