Topic: Wii Component Suppliers Making Big Bucks

[WindyMan]

Nintendo needs to buy the parts for its money-printers from somewhere, after all.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=14240

 Companies supplying the guts for the Wii remote and nunchuk are making some serious coin, thanks to the success of Nintendo's oddball console.    

The accelerometers found inside the controller halves are produced by Analog Devices in America and STMicroelectronics in Europe.  The two companies are expanding because of the high demand for its products, either by creating new production lines or dedicating entire buildings to Wii component production.  Expansion like this would only be possible if it was financially feasible to make such changes, and the success of the Wii means everyone who has a hand in its production is profiting.    

Because Nintendo is buying up accelerometer sensors left and right, the increased production of them means that their price is dropping.  This allows other electronic devices, such as mobile phones, to more cheaply incorporate them.

[Enner]

Woo hoo! And the coins are trickling down.

[BlackNMild2k1]

But will it make the Wii controllers that use them cheaper to purchase?

[Klapaucius]

Probably not, as I think the shops decide how much they want to sell them for. Nintendo could recommend a cheaper price, of course.

[KDR_11k]

Or Nintendo could do what they always do and blackmail retailers into compliance.

[Enner]

Ah, good 'ole blackmail. That never lets a company down.