First and foremost, Sony needs to get even more serious about securing exclusive games for the PS4. Throughout the entire generation, Sony has offered some excellent exclusives to PS3 players. Microsoft had some good exclusives for the Xbox 360 throughout most of the console’s life, but these days it seems that the company would rather make timed-exclusive DLC deals. That’s all well and good, but timed-exclusive DLC is a poor substitute for exclusive full games. Sony not only needs to make sure the PS4 has a solid exclusive games library, but it also needs to kick it up a bit.

In the next generation, Sony can’t be stingy with its money – it needs to go out there, find good titles, and then plop down the cash needed to make those games exclusive to PS4. If it can offer a large number of exclusive games, that will drive consumers to the console, especially when its still in the early days after launch.

To give you an example, I have a friend who recently went out and bought a PS3 so he could play the US release of Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. It’s hard for gamers to resist the lure of a really awesome-looking game, which is why I’m willing to bet he isn’t the only one who bought a PS3 for Ni No Kuni. Good games that players can’t find anywhere else will always pull in more consumers than fancy technical specs, despite what the technophiles of the world will tell you.

That being said, Sony needs to get better at recognizing when a franchise doesn’t need any new releases. God of War: Ascension seems to be the God of War title no one was asking for, while a number of Ratchet and Clank games released this generation have been a far cry from the Ratchet and Clank games of the PS2 era. Instead of putting money into franchises that could use a rest, Sony could take that money and invest it in exclusive titles from promising third-parties, or it could even take a risk and develop some new franchises of its own. The temptation to keep milking a franchise with a loyal fanbase is definitely great, but by releasing title after title, you end up alienating gamers who have fond memories with the series. Unfortunately, many of those gamers aren’t going to come back when you’ve finally figured out how to bring something new and exciting to the franchise.

I think Sony should look to Japan more often in the next generation, too. We’ve got a lot of interest in Japanese games at the moment – Persona, Ni No Kuni, Xenoblade, Pandora’s Tower, The Last Story – all of them have been popping up left and right here in North America. They’ve all been getting attention as well. Sony has an advantage over Microsoft in this case, as Japanese developers aren’t making too many games for the Xbox 360. Until Microsoft learns how to effectively tackle the Japanese market, that will remain to be the case, leaving Sony with a flood of unique and interesting titles for its own console.

Why not publish more promising Japanese titles with the intention of bringing them to western markets in the next generation? There seems to be a belief that western gamers aren’t all that interested in Japanese video games, but I think this generation proved that’s more a misconception than anything else.

Sony also needs to pay more attention to indies in the next generation. PSN is already a great place to find indie games, but it seems to be more or less on par with the offerings over on XBLA. It needs to be better with the PS4. Indie games exploded this year, and Sony needs to take a bigger slice of that pie for itself. It needs to make a PSN where it can try new and different things, unlike the by-the-books nature of Xbox Live. Granted, Sony is already doing better than Microsoft in the online market area, but I’d like to see it take even more risks with PSN in the future.

Above all else, though, Sony needs to admit when things just aren’t working out. When you launch something like Move or PS Vita and it doesn’t do much else other than fester, the correct course of action is not to pretend everything is okay and let it fester some more. Move is a cool peripheral, and as far as the other motion control peripherals go, I think it has the Wii remote and Kinect beat. However, that doesn’t matter much when there aren’t any games for it. The same is true of the PS Vita – here we’ve got some excellent portable hardware, and it’s not doing anything but collecting dust because no one’s buying it and no one’s making games for it.

Staying the course doesn’t help in cases like these. If something isn’t working with the PS4, Sony can’t just leave that problem hanging there and hope it gets better on the promise of cool things to come. It needs to get creative and shake things up a bit. I’m not entirely sure how you fix the problems with the Vita, but I’m positive that Sony’s current way of handling these issues isn’t working. Let’s not allow that to happen with the PlayStation 4.

The controller is officially called the “Hybrid Separable Motion Controller”, and while it’s a bold idea, the execution is mostly what you’d expect. It’s simply just two Move orbs attached on top of a DualShock controller. Then, the controller is detachable in the middle, with each half stuffed with an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, vibration capability, and even a speaker.

Obviously, the hybrid controller can be operated either separately or locked together into one unit, and it’s designed in a way that games will be able to detect which configuration is in use. If you’re worried about the thing flying out of your hands, some of the drawings even show a wrist strap attach to each of the two sides.

We’re not sure if Sony intends to use this concept in the PlayStation 3 or maybe even future devices. It’s also possible that this could just be an idea that they may never end up using, so keep your fingers crossed and we’ll see what Sony comes up with in the future. It’s possible that we could see something new from them at E3 2013, but we’ll keep an open mind until then.

[via GameSpot]

To help celebrate this launch date announcement, the folks at Sony have pulled together a developer diary all about Wonderbook. In this first dev diary, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of the idea behind Wonderbook, and how the developers came up with the product some of us will be taking home on November 13. Regardless of your feelings about Wonderbook, the video is actually quite interesting, so it’s suggested that you give it a watch.

When Wonderbook: Book of Spells arrives on November 13, it’ll come in two different forms. If you already own a PS Move controller and a PS Eye camera, the game and the book will be available in a standard package that runs $39.99. For those who are new to the realm of motion gaming on PS3, Book of Spells also comes in a bundle pack that includes the game, the Wonderbook peripheral, a PS Move controller and a PS Eye camera for $79.99. Those are some pretty attractive prices, especially if you already have a Move controller and an Eye, so even though some may be wondering why Sony is even releasing Wonderbook at all, the company can probably count on some pretty healthy sales.

That’s the thing too – hardcore gamers won’t understand what Wonderbook is all about, but that’s okay because it isn’t aimed at them. One look at the developer diary above and you can tell that young children are going to be all over this, and the team-up with J.K. Rowling to make a Harry Potter-themed Wonderbook game certainly won’t hurt. Who’s picking up Wonderbook: Book of Spells when it launches on November 13?

[via US PlayStation Blog]

The Abstract of the filing describes that a “media player coupled to the broadcast or streaming media source identifies the existence of the interactive segment and presents the user with an enhanced and interactive mini-game commercial that can be played with other ‘viewers’ in a common or disperse demographic.” It then goes onto mention that “multiple methods of delivery” are used, including one where the interactive commercial is overlaid on the frames of the television show, allowing the user to play the mini-game while the show is still displayed. Sony says in its filing that the mini-games would preferably last as long as standard commercials, but as you can see from some of the illustrations included with the patent, there will be ways for consumers to change that.

For instance, the patent provides an image of a person being instructed by a McDonald’s ad to shout the word “McDonald’s!” in order to skip the commercial. The person in the image does so, and his television show resumes. Another image has a person using the PS Move to throw a pickle in a burger as a means of speeding the commercial up. One of the illustrations shows a person using the PS Move controller to order pizza delivery to his house at “1200 Happy Street,” while finally, yet another image previews using the DualShock 3 controller to vote for a favorite character in a television show.

We can get behind the pizza idea, and we can get behind the gaming idea, but some of these examples walk that fine line between interesting and weird. This service presumably works with an Internet-connected TV or a TV that’s connected to a console with Internet access. Obviously, if this ever comes to fruition, we can probably expect the finished product (or “idea” in this case) to differ quite a bit from the description in the patent, although you never know – it might not be long before we’re shouting brand names at our televisions in order to get through commercials faster.

[via CVG]

The company is launching the PlayStation Move Racing Wheel, which is an admittedly awkward-looking giant PS3 controller with a large hole in the middle for users to plug in their Move controller. It’s designed to incorporate the motion-sensing functionality of the Move while also giving players a more rigid steering mechanic along with more functionally viable buttons.

“he PlayStation Move Racing Wheel will be available this fall for $39.99 and will support upcoming racing games like LittleBigPlanet Karting, in addition to PS3 racing favorites like Gran Turismo 5, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, Burnout Paradise, MotorStorm Apocalypse, and more,” Sony confirmed in a PlayStation Blog post. This is one of the few ideas Sony has employed to make PlayStation Move interesting again. The other major one is the augmented reality children’s book platform called Wonderbook.

[via PlayStation Blog]

With the Move controller, players will be able to physically flourish the digital Celestial Brushes of the game, though those either without a Move or preferring the classic gameplay can use the regular PS3 DualShock3 instead. There’s also been a switch to 16:9 from 4:3.

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Sony has thrown in PSN Trophy support too, including a platinum, for gamers to share their achievements. It's a PS3 exclusive, too, so don't expect to see a Kinect or Wii version any time soon.

Okami HD will arrive on the PS3 as a digital download this fall. Sony North America hasn't confirmed pricing at this stage, but according to Sony Europe it will be priced at £15.99/€19.99 or approximately $25.

In addition, the grips can be extended upwards to mimic the handlebars of a motorcycle, just in case you’re playing a game that doesn’t just involve cars. Sony say the controller will have precise motion tracing thanks to the use of the Move wand, and haptic feedback will let you feel all the nuance of a car crash as you slam into a brick wall.

The flappy paddle gear changes adds some realism, and the handlebars can be twisted too to simulate gear changes. The controller will be hitting online and retail stores later this year, and will set you back $39.99.

The first Wonderbook title revealed is the Harry Potter / J.K. Rowling title “Book of Spells.” This title will make it a whole lot easier for people to see the potential of the Wonderbook right out of the box as it turns your PlayStation Move controller into a wand and the Wonderbook into a container of magical animations.

Turn the page and make the right moves with your wand and you’ll see a dragon fly out of the book on your television screen. Turn to another page and say the magic words and with a flick of your wand you’ll have started your book on fire!

The Wonderbook for your PlayStation 3 will be popping up near the end of 2012 with availability expected for the holiday season – pricing and availability have not been finalized, nor has the software or the hardware itself. Stay tuned as the magic unfolds!

One bundle features the Everybody Dance title and comes with the 320GB PlayStation 3 console plus one DualShock controller, a Move controller, and a PlayStation Eye camera, all for $299.99. That’s about the price you would normally pay for just the console itself. This bundle will be sold exclusively at Target.

The second bundle may suit you better if you already have the PlayStation 3 console, as it only comes with the Move accessories and two game titles. The games are Sports Champions and Medieval Moves Deadmund’s Quest. This bundle goes for $99.99.

[via PlayStationLifestyle]

The Special Edition version of the game will feature whole new adventures with five new levels plus seven mini levels. It is designed to take advantage of the capabilities of the Move controller and lets you create your own Move games, record fluid motions, paint stickers, and do all sorts of fun creative stuff in the game. Also included are five new levels and two mini levels along with other goodies for the Disney/Pixar Toy Story game titles as well as $35 worth of DLC content.

The PlayStation Move bundle includes all the good stuff from the Special Edition game plus the Motion Controller, the Navigation Controller, and the PlayStation Eye Camera. The Special Edition alone will cost $59.99 while the Move bundle costs $129.99. Both will be available starting November 15.

[via PlayStation Lifestyle]

The shots reveal packaging for a previously unannounced Mayhem Edition PS Move kit that includes a Sharpshooter peripheral along with Resistance 3 and Killzone 3 game titles. There’s also a box for what’s called the Complete Entertainment Bundle, which includes a 160GB PS3 game console, the game titles Little Big Planet 2 as well as Ratchet and Clank: All for One, and one free month of PlayStation Plus.

The Complete Entertainment Bundle is expected to be around $250 and the source of the images notes that an order invoice for the packaging suggests that they are to be available for Black Friday. The source also included images of the packaging for the 320GB Uncharted 3 bundle and Goldeneye 007: Reloaded Sharpshooter set, which are both already up for pre-orders.

[via Engadget]

What Zumba Fitness does is take the Zumba program, an program in which dancers do similar moves repetitively in order to exercise effectively, and makes it into a simple game. What you do in the game is just that, shake your rump, and as it’s available for Wii with Wii Balance Board, PlayStation 3 with PlayStation Move and Xbox 360 with Kinect, you can bet it’s got more than a decent opportunity to get into your living room. We got to see this game in action this past week at Pepcom’s 2011 Holiday Spectacular in NYC.

Have a look at this application via Lisa Roth of Majesco Entertainment showing it off, both in detail and in practice, in the video here in the post. This game contains more than 30 routines you can do right out of the box, each of them based on Zumba fitness as it exists in the non-game world. You can set your game up for 20, 30, or 60 minutes intervals or you can just go forever and ever. You can work with several instructors, one of them being the originator of Zumba Alberto “Beto” Perez.

This game is coming out on the Wii on November 8th, 2011 and will include at least one of the unique Wiimote belts you see in the video so that you wont have to strap the Wiimote to your hip with duc-tape. A rather simple, playful, totally realistically applicable concept turned into a real-life gaming experience for your health – and not the of the Steve Brule sort!

To see more hands-on videos with gadgets, games, and technology consumables galore, check out our [Pepcom Holiday Spectacular 2011 portal] and taste the product rainbow!

The first Move optimized game showed off was the NBA2K12, which Sony brought onstage Kobe Bryant himself to demo. However, his game playing skills didn’t quite match his actual skills on the court.

Other games that followed with previews include Medieval Move: Deadman’s Quest, Infamous 2, Little Big Planet, Starhawk, Sly Cooper, Dust 514, and Bioshock.

Of those titles, Dust will be coming exclusively to PS3 with a beta by the end of this year and a release by April 2012. And Bioshock will also have an NGP version.

Sony Computer Entertainment has announced that it has a new application called Move.Me that will being offered to students, researchers and hacker geeks to allow them to take the move controller and the Move.Me software app and create control systems for using Move on a PC using their PS3. Sony hopes that the application will allow all sorts of innovation.

For instance, Sony hopes that medical pros could use the software to create an app for patients that are undergoing physical therapy. Sony also thinks that students could use the Move software to create controls for 3D modeling, motion capture, and augmented reality. The software will work on any Windows or Linux computer and it will work with any device from tablets to a smartphone that can receive Move data and connect to a PS3. Move.Me will be available for download this spring.

The new Snakebyte controllers are called the MOV-CON and NAV-CON and will land in North America in April. Both of the controllers are designed to be comfortable with gray/black handles to make them look different from the official Sony controllers. Both of the Snakebyte controllers have USB ports for future firmware updates.

Near the end of Q2 Snakebyte will also offer the controls in red, white, and blue colors and there will be a special version called the Snakebyte-edition that will be in the company colors. Those colors appear to be grey and green. “It’s been a long, hard road to bring the snakebyte Move line to market,” said Howard Borenstein, President of Sunflex USA. “The redesigned handle grip and various color options for the MOV-CON and NAV-CON will both differentiate our product and provide the consumer with the opportunity to have more control, personalization and enjoyment in game play.”

To hear Doctor Richard Marks, the Move’s chief architect, talk about it with ARS, it’s clear that there’s plenty of potential left in the Playstation Move and he wants to unlock it:

“I would really like to see it happen, so all the really creative minds in the labs and the hobbyists can actually play around with it. But as of now, we haven’t announced anything official. But it is something I really want to see happen as soon as possible.”

And while it would be a welcome site for hackers and home brewers to see a shift towards open source development, that certainly hasn’t been the case since Sony has actively sought to shut down home development by any means necessary including root kits, legal action, and disabling functions in firmware updates.  But when market share begins to dwindle, maybe embracing that which you fear is the best option.  Either that or desperate times call for separate measures.

[via Techland]

The calls for Sony and Microsoft to offer up new consoles aren’t as loud as those for Nintendo. Last year, Sony released its PlayStation Move peripheral to capitalize on the wildly popular motion-gaming space. Microsoft released the Kinect to do the same. And at least for now, it’s expected that those companies will be spending 2011 doubling down on those technologies with their current consoles.

But Nintendo is a different case.

Since the Wii’s launch in 2006, the game company’s platform has been performing extremely well. Nintendo says that it has sold over 34 million Wii units in the U.S. alone since the console’s launch, and each of the last three years, it has sold at least 7 million Wii units. It’s a feat that five years ago, few thought possible.

But Nintendo’s platform is slowing down. In 2010, it sold 7 million units, but the company cashed in on nearly 20 million consoles between 2008 and 2009. And there is speculation that the Wii will see even slower sales in 2011.

Realizing that, the timing seems ripe for Nintendo to launch a new console.

Historically, console launches jump start sales. It’s why the gaming business has seen console updates around every five years after a respective device launches, and it’s why speculation abounds that Nintendo will announce a new version of the Wii this year.

Of course, some Nintendo fans don’t see the need for their favorite game company to launch a new console. They point to the fact that the Wii is still tops in hardware sales, and it still has solid software to appeal to customers. Consoles should be replaced when they start to become obsolete, those folks reason, and the Wii is far from that.

But I’d have to disagree. Yes, the Wii is still the top gaming console this generation, and I do believe that it will sell reasonably well in 2011. But the console is obsolete. And the key factor that made it so popular — motion gaming — isn’t appealing as it once was.

Let’s take a look at the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Those platforms deliver far more graphical power than the Wii. They also have robust online gaming experiences that continue to captivate gamers each and every day. Perhaps most importantly, they have proven to be far more popular with third-party developers that welcome that extra power and capability.

The Wii, with its standard-definition support and general lack of popular third-party games, looks awfully less appealing than its counterparts. And it gets even worse when one considers that the PlayStation Move promises functionality with more “hardcore” games and the Kinect delivers motion gaming without the need to hold a controller.

Now, I’ll admit that many of the complaints about the Wii have been swirling in gaming circles for years. But declining Wii sales and compelling motion alternatives make them more relevant than ever.

The Nintendo Wii needs to be replaced with hardware that can at least match the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. And it needs to happen sooner rather than later.

McCutchan will be revealing the “Move Server project that will make it possible for academics and hobbyists to develop software using the PlayStation Move controller on their own PCs” as well as looking at how the Move Shooter accessory can be accommodated. The project appears to be Sony’s attempt to kick start sanctioned hacking of the Move, perhaps in similar ways to how we’ve seen Microsoft’s Kinect and, before then, Nintendo’s Wii used in non-standard ways.

[via Engadget]

There’s also a social feed and enhanced search functionality, and VUDU is using a cloud-based system that should make future updates to the interface more immediate. Those with VIZIO TVs and Samsung devices should eventually get the new 2.0 interface, with VUDU saying it expects the update to roll out to those TVs and devices soon.

However, unlike those initial sales figures we saw back in the middle of October, which just focused on Europe and the United States, these new numbers from Sony are on the global side. It factors in the number of Move units sold worldwide, and it looks like Sony is satisfied with the results. According to the company, they managed to move 4.1 million units. That boils down to just under one Move unit sold for every PlayStation 3 console out there.

With numbers like this, and seeing just as much strength from Kinect’s sales figues, it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear that game developers will now take the leap into motion gaming, and start cranking out titles.

[via Kotaku]

The mistake, it seems, was prompted by slumping games sales this year – down 8-percent compared to 2009 – and shopping patterns observed in the run up to the last holiday season. Then, consumers had waited longer before buying games hardware, something that doesn’t appear to be happening this time around says Dille. No official Move sales stats have been released, but the company said it had shipped 1m to stores in the first month of availability.

[via T3]

Sony has announced that the new console, which will feature a 320GB hard drive, access to Netflix, and all of the standard issue items in the box, is already heading into stores. Of course, the main takeaway of the pricing here, which is $350, is that Sony is taking great strides to subsidize the price of the Move peripherals. You can get the 320GB PlayStation 3 Move Bundle, which includes the camera, one controller, and Sports Champions game, as well as the console, all for $400 right now.

When you look at it that way, spending the extra $50 to get more hardware, and a free game, is obviously a deal in of itself. But, if you look at the $300 for the 160GB, you’ll be getting double the storage capacity for just $50. So, if you’re trying to talk a loved one into the fact that you have to have this console, at least now you know how to bring it up in conversation. Keep your eyes open at your local electronics retailer, as the console should be landing in stores soon enough.

[via PlayStation Blog]

The 2.5 million number across the nations comes from the LA Times, while Reuters, focusing more on the stateside story, hears Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, say that supply still isn’t meeting demand: “We had to go back and increase production twice, we’re absolutely maxed out right now,” Tretton said.

John Koller, director of hardware marketing for Sony’s PlayStation business in Foster City, California, thinks sales are so high due to the fabulous games already available on the market (like EyePets, Time Crisis: Razing Storm, and Start the Party.) The number 1 million in the USA is quite significant as less than a week ago, sales seemed to fall short of expectation in the USA at 300,000. Not so bad anymore, yes? I’m guessing the whole of Asia will add more than significantly to these numbers very soon as their sales post in the coming weeks.

[Via LA Times Technology]

This bundle won’t include a PlayStation 3, so you’ll already want to own the console. But it does include one EyePet game, one PlayStation Eye camera, and one PlayStation Move Motion controller. Sony’s calling it another PlayStation Move Starter Kit, but there’s no word on whether or not you’ll find any demos of other Move titles inside the box.

As far as pricing and availability go, you’ll be able to pick up the EyePet bundle in participating Toys “R” Us stores in the United States and Canada beginning on September 24th, and it will run you $99.99. If Sony already has their Sports Champions Move game included in one bundle, and now EyePet in another, we’re curious to see if the company releases other bundles with other games included. That would definitely be one way to get new customers.

[via PlayStation Blog]

For instance, the whole thing is held together with just a few regular Phillips screws, and the illuminated ball simply lifts off after that.  Sony has used a heatsink with the LEDs, which should prolong their lifespan, and the battery is hooked up via a connector rather than soldered.  Unfortunately the same can’t be said for the vibration motor, which is fixed to the mainboard.  More on the PlayStation Move here.

Unfortunately, while the core systems are available, some of the accessories aren’t quite ready to ship yet.  The endearing retro-styled raygun controller – aka the PlayStation Move Shooting Attachment – is up for $19.99 preorder and won’t ship until October 26th.  Sony’s own Move charging station is available – at $29.99 – but third-party versions like the CTA double-charger won’t arrive until the end of the month.

[via PlayStation Blog]

But when Sony announced that it would be delivering the PlayStation Move, and Microsoft offered up the Kinect, I thought that my issues with the Wii would be forgotten. I figured that both devices would deliver a far more viable experience than anything Nintendo could muster.

And so far, without actually playing with either motion service, I’d have to say that the chances of Kinect and Move appealing to me more than the Wii are quite good. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t see issues in either platform.

On the Move side, I just don’t like having to hold something to control movement on-screen. I understand that it’s a technique that worked well for Nintendo, and investing in a Kinect-like experience might be a tall order for Sony, but I don’t like it. That said, I’m a little hopeful that the Move will deliver a better gaming experience, thanks to some more sophisticated titles reportedly supporting it, like Killzone 3.

With Kinect, I’m more intrigued. Having the ability to control characters without holding anything really appeals to me. And although I’ll probably be forced to move around the room more than I would like, the prospect of Kinect totally blowing away the Wii and the PlayStation Move seems great.

But for all the good that I see from Kinect and Move, I already feel that, once again, the motion-gaming market has betrayed me. At E3 earlier this year, Microsoft showed off Kinectimals — a title that lets gamers become “friends” with animals. The company will also be selling Kinect Sports, Dance Central, and several other decidedly casual titles at launch.

Although the PlayStation Move looks to have a better selection of games for the hardcore fans out there, I’m drawn back to holding the Move controller. I just don’t like the experience. And I doubt that it will be so much better than the Wii’s that I will be all that impressed.

So, as I sit here and wonder what my future gaming experience will be like, I find that motion gaming has failed me. At this point, none of my options deliver everything I want. The PlayStation Move has that controller. The Kinect, at least out of the gate, will seemingly focus on casual games. And the Wii, well, the Wii just doesn’t do it for me.

I’m hoping to say something different a year from now after I’ve had a chance to fully immerse myself in the various motion-gaming environments that will come my way. But right now, I’m sorry to say that motion gaming doesn’t excite me the way I wish it did.

The 160GB model will only be your standard issue. Meaning, you won’t be seeing any extra goodies in the box — at least, not at the start. And if you’re interesting in picking one up, you can actually find them somewhere in the United States (probably your favorite electronics retailer) for only $299.99. If you find yourself in Europe, you’ll be able to get your hands on one for about 299 Euros, beginning in October.

But, the 320GB Move bundle is where all the attention is. That’s due out September 19th in the United States, and September 15h in the European regions. It will cost $399, or 349 Euros, and it will come with one console, one controller, and the title Sports Champions. Anyone out there itching to get their hands on Move?

[via Kotaku]

According to Kotaku, Sony has just confirmed to them that they are planning on bringing the motion controller peripheral and platform to malls, shops, kiosks, and even Sony’s Patrol Truck (which makes its way across the United States on a regular basis). Basically, they want to make sure that everyone has a chance to play this, and not, say, just four stores across the nation. It’s even going to be showcased at festivals like Voodoo Festival.

Best Buy and Walmart are going to be included in this, too. Rumors are sprouting up that Sony’s on a huge hiring rush right now, trying to fill the many kiosks they are going to distribute to those stores. Date wise, the huge marketing push for the entire country hasn’t been locked down quite yet, but sources say that starting September 11th, that’s when the kiosks will show up in Walmarts and Best Buys. Either way, though, it looks like you’ll have a pretty good shot at actually trying PlayStation Move before you make the conscious decision to buy it.

[via Kotaku]

The demos are shown off in large boxes, making it easy to make your way from one title to another, and see in a clear image just what it is you’ll be getting with any particular section. It’s very similar to the “Now Playing” area of Sony’s XMB, which probably shouldn’t be a surprise, either. But, what’s most interesting, is that while the demo disc included in the kit had 8 different titles on it, all of which had been showcased at this year’s E3, you actually can’t play them directly from the disc.

Instead, you have to download them right onto your PlayStation 3′s hard drive. The titles are: Sports Champions, Kung Fu Rider, TV Superstars, The Shoot, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11, Beat Sketcher, Tumble, and Start the Party. No surprises in store here, but you will need somewhere around 8GB of storage on your hard drive available to play each title whenever you want. We’re curious to see if all demos will work like this, or if it was just the promotional kit.

[via Joystiq]

The strong growth comes as rivals Microsoft and Sony plan to debut their own motion gaming systems, Kinect and Move, in time for the holiday shopping season.  Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto has previously said that he sees the competing systems as a “great honor” to the company, while also saying that the challenge Nintendo face is making the next-gen Wii experience “unique” despite generic hardware.

And sure, they may look like any other pair of boxing gloves out there, or training gloves, but if you look close enough you’ll notice that they’ve got something else going for them. That’s right. Perfectly placed, snug, and revolutionary velcro pouches, that make it easier for you to hold your PlayStation Move’s controller, without having to actually hold it. Though, we don’t recommend you completely unwrap your grasp from it, because while velcro may be amazing, it’s not perfect.

If that wasn’t enough, there’s some more velcro at the wrists, making sure that the glove proper doesn’t go flying off your hands, too. Looks like the minds at CTA Digital have thought about everything when it comes to their latest gaming accessory. Now we just need a release date and price, and we’ll be good to go. Anyone out there thinking about picking these up?

Press Release
CTA Digital’s Ultimate Boxing Gloves Add Realism, Safety to PlayStation Move

To complement the action of the PlayStation Move, CTA Digital is introducing its Ultimate Boxing Gloves, which allow gamers to securely grip the PlayStation Move controllers during gaming. The fist-clenching ability and feel of the gloves adds realism and excitement to boxing and street-fighting games, while the secure elastic strap prevents controllers from slipping out.

BROOKLYN, NY – Preparing for the September launch of the PlayStation Move, Sony’s motion-control sensor gaming platform, as well as the game The Fight: Lights Out, CTA Digital has announced its Ultimate Boxing Gloves.

The Ultimate Boxing Gloves feature Velcro pouches on the inside of the palm to secure the PlayStation Move controller, as well as adjustable Velcro wrist straps for a snug fit. Gamers can slide the PlayStation Move controllers into the elastic sleeves in the palms of the gloves to secure the controllers while playing, and throw punches as hard as they want, since the PlayStation Move controllers are secured tightly in the pouches.

Because of Move’s accuracy, boxing is anticipated to be a lot more fun than other platforms. Gamers can experience a more realistic, intense boxing match or street fight with these padded, comfortable, lightweight gloves. With the snug fit and secured controllers, gamers can safely punch away, immersing themselves in the games. The feel of the fingerless gloves adds the sensation of really fighting, whether in a ring or on the streets. The lightweight material allows for freedom of movement during matches. The gloves adjust to securely fit all hand sizes and are fully compatible with all PS Move boxing game launches, including The Fight: Lights Out.

The Ultimate Boxing Gloves will be available for purchase on Amazon (http://tinyurl.com/2u7tebl) and will be the perfect addition to any gamers’ cache of accessories for the PlayStation Move.

CTA Digital Debuts another Unique Accessory: The Triple Port Charging Station for PlayStation Move and PS3 SIXAXIS Controllers

With the introduction of CTA Digital’s exclusive Triple Port Charging Station, gamers can charge their PlayStation Move Controller and Navigation Controller, alongside a PS3 Sixaxis controller at the same time.

BROOKLYN, NY – In time for the September launch of the PlayStation Move, Sony’s motion-control sensor gaming platform, CTA Digital has announced the release of a unique Triple Port Charging Station for PlayStation Move and Sixaxis controllers. Being the only such charger to be launched, it is a complete solution for PS3 lovers to enjoy maximum value, by being able to charge the PS Move Controller, a Navigation Controller and one PS3 SIXAXIS Controller simultaneously. Gamers can charge their controllers on an AC-powered base that requires no wired hookups to the controllers themselves.

Unlike any other charging station, the Triple Port Charging Station accommodates a regular controller, simplifying the controller-charging process for gamers. Due to be launched on September 25th, this charger is expected to be the ideal accompaniment to the Playstation motion gaming platform.

The Charge Station is powered with 5V 1.2A AC adapter, and also run on a 1200MA current, freeing up the USB ports on the PlayStation unit for other peripherals. LED light on the charger turns blue while charging, red when fully charged, and off when the controller is removed. The Charging Stations takes advantage of the PlayStation Move controllers’ internal battery by simply allowing gamers to place the controllers upright.

In addition to the Triple Port Charging Station, CTA Digital is set to release Dual Port Charging Station and a Quadruple Port Charging Station, to hold one set of PlayStation Move Controller and Navigation Controller, and two sets of PlayStation Move Controllers and Navigation Controllers, respectively.

All three chargers are slated for a September 25 release; the Dual Port Charging Station (http://tinyurl.com/39lmf66), Triple Port Charging Station (http://tinyurl.com/2vvpnr7), and Quadruple Port Charging Station (http://tinyurl.com/3y7usjq), and will be available on Amazon and be the perfect addition to any gamers’ cache of accessories for the PlayStation Move.

TRIPLE PORT CHARGING STATION

Keep your PlayStation® Move Controllers as well as your Sixaxis Controller fully charged, and ready to use, while keeping everything organized in a small, elegant charging station. Since Sony PlayStation 3 Controllers and Move controllers (The Navigation Controller and the Motion Controller) have internal rechargeable batteries, operating this charging base is simple. Just stand the Move controllers vertically on the base, and rest your Sixaxis controller on the base as well. You can recharge your controllers, with out having to plug cables into them, or your PlayStation 3 Console. This Charging Station is powered by an AC adapter, which means nothing will have to occupy a USB ports on your console in order to recharge all your gear.

Features:

• Powered by an included AC adapter
• Recharges the internal batteries in your controllers
• Compatible with PlayStation® Move and PlayStation® 3 Controllers
• Organizes your Controllers while recharging them while not in use

Specifications:

• AC Adapter is 5V 1.2A
• LED lights on PlayStation® Move Controllers Blink while charging
• LED lights on charge stand illuminate blue while charging
• LED lights illuminate Red when charged fully
• The packaging includes 1 piece AC adapter.
• The working current for charge station is 1200 mAh

About CTA Digital:

CTA Digital (www.ctadigital.com) has been building efficient and trusted game accessories for the past 5 years. They are determined to improve the way that we experience everyday products and consoles. Each new accessory built by CTA Digital is designed after months of careful deliberation and user testing to make sure that the final products are safe, practical, high quality, functional, and useful.

Follow CTA Digital on Facebook (http://facebook.com/CTAdigital), YouTube (http://youtube.com/CTAdigital), and Twitter (http://twitter.com/CTAdigital).

The Starter Pack is just what it sounds like. It includes the PlayStation Move controller, the PlayStation Eye camera, and one game called Sports Champions. You get all of that for only $99. However, the UK version of the same bundle, instead, isn’t getting a full retail game at all. According to a recent report with MCV, the UK bundle is actually going to be ship with nine demos, and not the same Champions title.

Instead, purchasers will get six snippets of retail titles like Sports Champions, The Shoot, TV Superstars, and Beat Sketchers. Amongst others. The UK Start Pack for Sony’s Move will be £49.99. So what do you think? Are US customers getting the better Starter Pack deal, or UK-based residents?

[via MCV]

Yes, we already knew about the other bundles. Sony’s got multiple ways for you to buy Move, all brought together to make something worth your time and hard earned money. Those original bundles are: a controller, PlayStation Eye, and one Move game all for $99. And then there’s the console bundle, which gives you all of that, plus the PlayStation 3, all for $399. Or, you could just buy the stand-alone pack for $49.99.

Unless you want everything and the console, then this new rumored bundle will be perfect for you. It’s everything that we mentioned up there, plus the console, but instead of the 320GB hard drive that the above bundle comes with, you’ll be getting a 120GB hard drive. There’s no official word about any of this from Sony quite yet, but these tipsters seem to know what they’re talking about. What this could mean in the long-run, though, is that the current generation of 120GB consoles out there might get a $50 price drop in general, after the release of these bundles. That’s something to look forward to, at least.

[via PS3 Blog]

We’ve got three different variations here: for those who’ve been waiting to buy their PS3 until Move released, those who already have a PS3, and still one that tailors to those who already own the PlayStation Eye, too. For the first, the bundle includes the PlayStation Move wand, a PlayStation 3, a DualShock 3 controller, an Eye Toy, and one Move game, called Sports Champions. That bundle will cost you a cool $399.

As for the other two bundles, you’ll get everything else but the PlayStation 3 and DualShock controller — so obviously you’ll already want to own the console, or it won’t do you any good. This bundle is only costing you $99. And finally, if you’ve already got the Eye Toy and just need the Move wand, that will cost you only $50. And, if you want the additional navigational controller, that will run you $29.99. So who’s getting excited?

[via Kotaku]

Big 3 Gun Shooting is described as a “gun game value pack” and includes three titles: Time Crisis Razing Storm, Dead Storm Pirates and Time Crisis 4 Arcade Version.  For a limited time, people buying a Move controller will also get a demo disk of game samples, which Sony are calling the “PlayStation Move Omnibus Demo Disk”.

The “PlayStation Move Bio Hazard 5 Alternative Edition Special Pack” and “PlayStation Move BIG 3 GUN SHOOTING Perfect Pack” will be priced at 7,980 yen ($91) and 11,980 yen ($137) respectively.  The Move controller will make its debut in North America on September 19th; more details here.

Press Release:

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN TO INTRODUCE PLAYSTATION® MOVE MOTION CONTROLLER BUNDLE PACKS FEATURING “BIO HAZARD 5 ALTERNATIVE EDITION” AND “BIG 3 GUN SHOOTING”

Additional Bundle Packs to Accompany the Launch of the Motion Controller, Further Enhancing the PlayStation®Move Launch Line-ups

Tokyo, July 6, 2010 – Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ), a division of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. responsible for business operation in Japan, today announced that it will release two PlayStation®Move bundle packs, “PlayStation Move Bio Hazard 5 Alternative Edition Special Pack” and “PlayStation Move BIG 3 GUN SHOOTING Perfect Pack,” to accompany the launch of the motion controller on October 21, as a limited offer at a recommended retail price of 7,980 yen and 11,980 yen (including tax) respectively. Along with the “PlayStation Move Starter Pack”*1 that will also become available on the same day, SCE will offer users with more choices and opportunities to enjoy the PlayStation Move and further accelerate the expansion of the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) platform.

“PlayStation Move Bio Hazard 5 Alternative Edition Special Pack” comprises a PlayStation®Move motion controller, PlayStation®Eye camera and PlayStation Move supported software title, Bio Hazard 5 Alternative Edition by CAPCOM Co., Ltd. Since its release in February 2010, Bio Hazard 5 Alternative Edition continues to show record breaking sales and this new bundle pack will offer users more intuitive and immersive gameplay that only PlayStation Move can deliver.

“PlayStation Move BIG 3 GUN SHOOTING Perfect Pack” features a PlayStation Move motion controller, PlayStation Eye camera, PlayStation Move supported software title, BIG 3 GUN SHOOTING by Bandai Namco Games Inc., as well as PlayStation®Move shooting attachment that will allow players to comfortably hold the motion controller as if they are holding a gun. Delivering exciting and realistic shooting action, BIG 3 GUN SHOOTING includes three key franchise titles from Bandai Namco; Time Crisis Razing Storm, Dead Storm Pirates and Time Crisis 4 Arcade Ver.

SCE Worldwide Studios will also continue to add new titles to the PlayStation Move software line-ups, including newly announced action game, Furifuri! Saru Gecchu, to be released in 2010. Furthermore, as a limited time offer starting October 21, users who purchase PlayStation Move motion controller*2 will receive PlayStation Move Omnibus Demo Disk (tentative name) that contains a demo version of various PlayStation Move supported and dedicated titles.

Through the introduction of these new PlayStation Move bundle packs, SCE will continue to further expand the PS3 platform and create a new world of computer entertainment that is only possible on PlayStation.

*1 “PlayStation Move Starter Pack” comprises a motion controller, PlayStation Eye camera and PlayStation Move software title, Beat Sketch!, for a limited offer at a very attractive RRP of 5,980 yen (including tax).
*2 PlayStation Move Omnibus Demo Disk (tentative name) will be offerd to those users who buy one of the following product at select retail store: “PlayStation Move motion controller (CECH-ZCM1J),” “PlayStation Move Starter Pack (CEJH-15008),” “PlayStation®Move Bio Hazard 5 Alternative Edition Special Pack (CEJH- 15010),” or “PlayStation®Move BIG 3 GUN SHOOTING Perfect Pack (CEJH-15010).”

Nintendo evolved the controller somewhat with the Wii but now Microsoft takes it to a whole new level. No controller. None. Welcome to the world of Kinect. Why is this important? Gaming, for the most part has still been the purview of the gamer, people for whom the game controller is a natural extension of themselves for game play. While the Wii most notably made strides to simplify the human/controller input, at the end of the day, it was just a first step. Taking down the third wall between gamer and game is what will ultimately drive more users into the world of video games and that’s what’s going to drive the next wave of adoption.

For those unfamiliar, Kinect is a small array combining cameras, array microphone and other sensors that connect to any Xbox 360. The results are amazing and point to the way of the future. Want to drive a car? Simply place your hand in the air as if gripping a steering wheel and you’re off to the races. Playing a platform game? Just run in place and jump as needed. Totally natural, totally immersive. While gamers have adapted well to the infusion of buttons and triggers, the larger market of non-gamers often finds the array of input choices to be more confusing than intuitive. While I believe that Kinect will offer experiences for the hardcore gamer, the key to long term success will be how well Kinect will deliver the mainstream market. Judging by what Microsoft showed at E3 I’d say they are on the right path.

While Kinect’s game controls are impressive, I’m even more fascinated by how well Kinect enhances the experiences of other Xbox features. Want to do a video chat with another Xbox user or MSN Messenger PC client. Not a problem. Kinect’s ability to focus and frame the video properly make the experience more akin to a conversation, eyes are focued where they should be and the picture expands and contracts properly as people enter and leave the frame. Command and control have also vastly improved. Swiping, speaking and other natural gestures make media consumption easy and more importantly less complex than even the best remotes.

One can imagine a time when I turn on my TV and it not only knows who I am but what content it should present to me. Take it one step further and analytical content might not only tell you what shows I was watching but when I left the room or stopped paying attention to what was on screen. There’s a battle going on for the living room right now. The TV is among the last consumer screens that is not connected. Long term, whoever gets control of input on the TV will win. The Kinect UI shows how a complicated remote control can be replaced by gesture and voice.

I’m less sanguine about Sony’s efforts. Another set of controllers at fairly high cost doesn’t seem to move the genre forward. More than anything, Sony’s Move feels like a reactive move to the Wii of several years ago. Worse, by attempting to tie Move into games designed for controllers it feels that move is more a gimmick than a new approach to gameplay. The net result feels less than revolutionary and looks like it might be offering the worst of all words not the best. While Move may well be adopted by current PS3 owners looking for a new experience, it’s not likely to drive new consumers to the platform the way that Kinect has the potential to do.

The TV and game experience have evolved in major ways over the last decade. How we interact with them has not. Complex remote controls and game pads have alienated mainstream users. Media and core features of Xbox were often beyond the ability of non gamers in the family to effectively enjoy. Kinect demonstrates that there are ways to both increase functionality and reduce complexity. Kinect isn’t perfect but it breaks new ground and differs from Sony’s more evolutionary approach. There’s still a split personality between the normal Xbox UI and the Kinect UI (although one can go back and forth between them) and despite Microsoft’s efforts to position Xbox as a cable ready platform for MSOs, that hasn’t happened yet. There’s also missing details on what the final price will be – tipped at $150 – something that will affect adoption depending on where Microsoft comes out on this.

Nevertheless, in a world where the battle for the living room has become the battle for that all important input one, Kinect shows a strategy how to achieve victory that’s quite compelling. We’ll have to see how the competition attempts to change the game.

The PS Move shooting attachment has gone official at E3 with pics from Sony and the thing looks great. It reminds me of a laser gun that would have been used in a 50′s sci-fi flick. The round bulbous end of the Move controller sticks out of the barrel of the ray gun and all the buttons are accessible.

The ray gun has a trigger in a slotted channel rather than just sticking out. Apparently, the Move controller locks inside the gun since the thing has a release slider on the side. I don’t know how well the thing works, but Sony certainly hit the aesthetics nail right on the head.

The Best of R3 Media

The myTouch Slide 3G is Rooted, Here’s How: Android hackers are intense. They just don’t know when to give up. And, when a new device gets launched, you can pretty much expect it to be hacked to smithereens in no time. It’s no different for the myTouch Slide 3G, as a hacker by the name of Eugene373, with some teamwork, have managed to get the deed done. And, if you’ve got a myTouch Slide, then you should head on over through the link, read the instructions, and take your time to get your own phone rooted. [via Android Community]

Parrot AR.Drone is $299 This September: Have you ever wanted to get your hands on one of those unmanned aerial vehicles? Us too. That’s why when the Parrot AR.Drone was showcased at CES this year, we couldn’t take our eyes off of it. And now we’re happy to have an official announcement as to when we can get our hands on one. That day’s going to be some time in September, and you’ll e able to get your hands on it for only $299. This, of course, comes with the ability to download an app from Apple’s App Store, where you will be able to pilot, as well as play games, with your new drone. Check out the link for the full details, plus a few videos to whet your appetite. [via SlashGear]

Sony Ericsson Brings Skype to Symbian: If you’re a fan of Skype, and you’ve got yourself a Sony Ericsson device running Symbian, then you’re in luck. Because SE has gone and made it possible for Symbian devices, such as the Vivaz, Vivaz Pro, and Satio, to get a free application that will make it possible for those lucky owners to take advantage of the VoIP service. [via SlashPhone]

The Dredge ‘Net

PlayStation Move Available for Pre-Order at Best Buy and GameStop: Were you interested in pre-ordering the new PlayStation Move that Sony just made official today? Yeah, we wouldn’t be surprised. And while we’re sure that there’s plenty of other retailers, both online and not, that are going to follow suit, it looks like GameStop and Best Buy are on the ball. You can pick up the Move bundle for only $99.99, which includes the necessary EyeToy/PS Eye, the Move controller, and the Sports Champion title. Unfortunately, it says that you won’t get them until at least November 1st, and maybe all the way up to November 6th. So, you know, do what you want. But, at least you get the ability to choose, right? [via GameStop]

US Apple Stores are Sold Out of iPhone 4s. So is AT&T: We already know that the servers for both AT&T and Apple were having some major issues today, but we didn’t think it would result in something like this. While the whole system was done off and on, and people all over the United States were forced to sit idly by while their computers, or employees at brick-and-mortar stores, told them they would have to wait while things got back together, the iPhone 4 was quickly selling out. And, sure enough, it looks like if you order/purchase your iPhone 4 right now, you won’t be getting it even shipped to you until about July 2nd. Bummer, we know. [via TUAW]

Verizon Wireless Says They’re on Track for LTE Roll Out: Verizon Wireless had a Device Specifications webcast today, and the entire point of it was to talk about LTE, the devices upon it, and where Verizon stands on the roll out process. The company managed to reaffirm that they are right on track, and they are going to still launch the 4G network by the end of the year in upwards of 30 markets. Furthermore, they still believe that by 2013, they are going to possibly surpass their current 3G network in coverage. So, good news all around. Now, we just have to wait and see the first handsets. [via Boy Genius Report]

It’s called PlayStation Plus, just as we had heard, and it’s going to add a lot of different things. As Sony says, customers will get “hundreds of dollars of products” throughout the year, thanks to their position as a Plus member. You will also get early access to betas, which is a good thing.

How much is it going to cost? $49.99 for a year, and $17.99 for three months. But, that’s not the end of the good news. Once you sign up for the first time, you’re going to get your first three months for free. Sony’s making sure that it’s getting full support at launch, too, as there are going to be exclusive demos and trailers, as well as DLC, right out of the gate. And, if you don’t want to sign up for the premium service, you don’t have to. All of your PlayStation Network goodies won’t go anywhere: nothing’s changing about them.

[images via Engadget]