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Sony & Microsoft to declare death to ClamShell. No more annoying packaging

December 21, 2008 in News comments 40

Have you ever bought a product and where so frustrated with the annoying packaging? In this day and age you most likely have. Some good news for the people that struggle to no end just to open their new headphones and PsEye, or xbox controller. Sony, Microsoft and Bes buy will stop using the clamshell package because of increase production cost and being non-environmental friendly.

Earlier this year, CNET published a report stating that the retail usage of clamshell packaging (sealed hard plastic shells often used to pack electronics) is nearing extinction due to high production costs and environmental concerns. Amazon was the first to switch over to "Frustration Free Packaging", a service they offer which packs certain items in easy-to-open recyclable cardboard. Shortly thereafter, the New York Times reported that other companies, such as Best Buy, Microsoft and Sony would soon shuck the use of clamshells as well.
Sayyed via joystiq.com »
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Most recently commented on by on Dec 25, 2008

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  • 0
    DusktoDawn Dec 21, 08
    One word; Finally.


    Geez...they took forever to open. (Impossible with bare hands.)
    • 0
      HisServant77 Dec 21, 08
      nah, not impossible with bare hands. I usually use my hands. Just crease a side of the top of the package about 10-20 times back and forth really fast. Then it should be easy to tear the plastic and then pry the rest apart
      • 0
        Zero and X Dec 23, 08
        ........ or grab a knife instead.
        • 0
          HisServant77 Dec 24, 08
          Nah, see, Dusk was talking about being impossible to open with your bare hands

          Of course, unless you consider having a knife being with bare hands too, since you don't have to have gloves on when holding the knife?
  • 0
    Duality_18 Dec 21, 08
    a lil cheezy, but I still laughed.
  • 0
    Newcloud Dec 21, 08
    i hate them thing.. there a christmas nightmare
  • 0
    Cruxis Mana Dec 21, 08
    This is one of those little things that are awesome.

    I HATE Clamshell packaging with a passion.

    I usually just end up hacking at it with a pair of scissors.
  • 1
    Sayyed Dec 21, 08
    I always took a knife to them
  • 0
    Bale Fire Dec 21, 08
    I use two knives, because one is never enough
  • 0
    Arikardo Dec 21, 08
    Stab them and rip them apart. However, this si good news. Definately an annoying thing, especially when you take your new controller upsatairs to use it and have to go back downstairs for scissors or a knife. Cardboard packaging for the win!
  • 0
    Dark Arcanine Dec 21, 08
    I found knives were fun but... ripping something open with your bare hands is just so satisfying. None the less, this is a smart move by the companies.
    • 1
      Gamesta100 Dec 22, 08
      Not when you slice your hand open
      • 0
        Dark Arcanine Dec 22, 08
        There's a thing called skill.
        • 0
          HisServant77 Dec 22, 08
          Haha, Agreed!



          You can do it by force, or being slick and using wisdom. By . . . checking out the comment I made above!!
  • 4
    RabidChinaGirl Dec 21, 08
    That's why God invented scissors.

    Seriously though, that's great news. I always felt those sorts of packaging were bad for the environment. I'm glad these big companies are taking some responsibility....... cutting costs is also a perk.
    • 0
      Capn Droid Dec 22, 08
      I find it annoying how when Xenctuary or RabidChinaGirl, two huge names for Neoseeker, post, they always have at least one thumbs up when there are other comments in the article exactly like theirs.
      • 3
        Sayyed Dec 22, 08
        Because their comments are just that great.
        • 0
          Capn Droid Dec 22, 08
          But so are other peoples' that are just like these guys'.
      • 3
        RabidChinaGirl Dec 22, 08
        Why don't you love us like everyone else? ;-;

        Kidding. Actually never noticed. I'm gonna keep an eye on comments by the two of us now! I don't have many "fans" or post on the forums, so I wouldn't say I'm such a big name... but now I'm flattered <3
        • 1
          Capn Droid Dec 23, 08
          Well, I was just using you and Jeevan as examples. It also happens to tekmosis on occasion, and I can't think of anyone else... some people, I'm sure.

          Like here, you got a thumb, and I wouldn't really consider it a monumental post. *Although it is quite lovely, for suck-up purposes. *
        • 3
          RabidChinaGirl Dec 23, 08
          I gave you a thumbs up because it just felt right. :3 GG members should just start thumbing all the comments up in the spirit of the holidays.

          Uh, anyway, Clamshell packaging bad! Grr.
        • 0
          Capn Droid Dec 25, 08
          D'aaaw. <3 GITTIN IN DA CHRISTMAS SPIRITTT

          Rawr, clamshell bad yes urgh. Shell as hard as clam. Ogg.
  • 0
    Onvacation Dec 21, 08
    *bleep* YES. The amount of times i've cut my hands open trying to open something outside the shop after i've brought it is astonishing, I should sue.
  • 0
    Koloth Dec 22, 08
    While this is great for consumers I imagine this is a nightmare for loss prevention experts. The good thing about the clamshell is that it is damn near impossible to open thus it is hard to steal tiny things like MP3 players by taking them out of the box and pocketing them.
    • 0
      Shadow of Death* Dec 22, 08
      Yeah, that's what I've been thinking.

      I hate those packages, but I have to admit, I hate them because they're a huge bother to try to get open. Unless someone is really good at opening them with either bare hands, or box cutters or something, someone is going to notice a shoplifter struggling...

      I wonder how they're going to make it so the new packaged stuff is harder to steal?
      • 0
        Dark Arcanine Dec 23, 08
        It wouldn't stop me at all, I'd just slip the whole thing into my bag. Wouldn't be hard to pull it off in most stores, in fact most say they use security cams but really don't. I talked to friends who work in different stores about it.

        In terms of making it harder to steal, if it's worth something they can just keep it behind a case like they do in most shops.
        • 0
          Koloth Dec 23, 08
          I know there are other ways. However the point of the clamshell is simply that you can't open it in the store. Meaning you need to do something like put it in your bag. Which is more obvious if someone is looking. It is also possible to put radio tags on the clamshells and if you have an unopened and unpaided for item in your pack it is much more obvious than if you just slip it in your pocket.
  • 1
    Ameer Dec 22, 08
    With ClamShell it's virtually impossible to preserve packaging.......this is good news.
  • 0
    Final Blade Dec 22, 08
    Am I the only one here who didn't hate the ClamShell packaging?
    • 1
      Cruxis Mana Dec 22, 08
      You mean you liked having to hack at packaging for 15 minutes before you actually got the item out ?
      • 0
        Final Blade Dec 22, 08
        Takes me literally less than 4 minutes to take it out using Scissors or a razor blade.
        • 1
          Capn Droid Dec 22, 08
          Using scissors or a razor blade. When I open a Christmas present and I see "OMGZORZ YAY A NEWEST TOY", I don't want to spoil that feeling with several minutes of action packed cutting fun.
        • 0
          Final Blade Dec 22, 08
          Yea cause you really tare open the plastic on any other device.

          You only do that for christmas wrapping. And besides, it takes less then a few minutes anyway. I guess I'm a true adult and don't do those things, but kids do.
        • 0
          Capn Droid Dec 22, 08
          What would you rather do? Stare at it until it opens for you? Clamshells are like supermen, and razorblades are its' kryptonite. I'd like something that opens easily without the use of another appliance.
        • 1
          HisServant77 Dec 22, 08
          I'm with FB in that, it's not that bad to just get a knife if you need to! I mean . . . when you get something new, do you honestly get such a rush that you tear into it like a mad dog and spend 20 minutes trying to break into it? Or . . . do you take 15-30 seconds to get a pair of scissors, or knife from the kitchen, and open the package in under a minute?

          Yeah it's nice to not need another appliance to open packages, but really . . . even a box asks for a knife to cut the tape. So I'm glad for the change; however, it's not like the clamshell design was sent straight from hell!
        • 0
          Capn Droid Dec 23, 08
          But boxes can carry much heavier packaging, and has very open flaps that need held down somehow. Clamshell is usually used with smaller electronic appliances, lowering the need for such unnecessarily unfriendly packaging greatly.
    • 0
      RabidChinaGirl Dec 22, 08
      Nah, I didn't think they were that bad once you got used to them. It's still a good move on their part to drop the packaging though. I could understand why ClamShell was implemented, as far security reasons go... but there must be better ways now. Getting rid of ClamShell is better all around -- less annoyance for consumers, less waste, lower costs.
      • 0
        Final Blade Dec 22, 08
        I'm just saying it didn't bother me. Sure it's nice they found something else better to replace it, with less issues, but people make it out to be the bane of all packaging.
        • 0
          Koloth Dec 23, 08
          Well, compared to other forms of packaging it is the bane of all packaging. The only thing more annoying than the clamshell is the over use of twist ties.

          I will agree that some people over exagerrate the difficulties associated with opening the Clamshells. And Twist ties can be taken care of quickly and easily with some wire cutters. But thease are still annoying packaging habits created purely for the sake of security.

          They are a far cry from the old packaging in the 80s which was usually a box with a styrofoam tray. A design which Japan only updated from styrofoam to plastic. Kind of nice to import stuff from Japan because you can just open it pul the tray out and get right to the item without employing scissors or knives or pulling out tons of foam and plastic and what not.
  • 0
    The Omega Dec 23, 08
    I *bleep*ing hate those kind of packages. I use scissors to open these things and I still have problems getting it open safely. I've slit my fingers with the sharp plastic on two occasions tearing open the remaining closed parts of the plastic packages after cutting it. I know they are good with security, but I'd much rather have things boxed or in a plastic but open-able package (like DVD and the newer PC plastic boxes), that can still contain security devices.

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