Thanks so much for this reply. Re 1) yes, that is interesting... suggests there was an initial novelty factor that wore off quite quickly
2) Hmm, I know that RCA is meant to have really botched its attempt to enter the video game market in the 70s.
3) This I'd heard of but had sort of forgotten about. I know one issue with initial sales was that many consumers were under the impression that the console only worked with Magnavox TVs. There's something interesting at play there about the relationship between branding and technological development, i.e., how market dynamics shape, help, and/or hinder technological development.
Thank you again!