Matsushita ends production of Q

Electronics giant Matsushita has announced that it is ceasing production of its "Q" system, launched two years ago in Japan, which integrated a high-end DVD player and GameCube console.

The attractive silver Q system was widely considered to be one of the most desirable pieces of gaming hardware on the market when it first launched, and Nintendo was quick to latch on to the appeal of the Q by launching its own silver hued GameCube.

The price of the system has fallen significantly since its initial launch in 2001, however, and it now costs a mere 34,800 Yen (â'¬260). Sales have also dropped off, and now Matsushita intends to cease manufacture of the device immediately.

Ironically, Matsushita's announcement came on the day that Sony launched the PSX - a device which integrates a PlayStation 2 console with a DVD recorder and digital video recorder in an attractive casing. Plus ca changeâ¦