Of course those offended by such claims that build-your-own PCs are out will be glad to know that without a doubt the culture is alive and well, not least of all here in this timofiend project. What the developer has reported thus far is no large problems on the software OR hardware front, noting instead that he’s working on an instructions list for those that hope to create the same setup in the near future. Heat, on the other hand, may be an issue for some folks, but timofiend has some sort of open air situation where it doesn’t matter.

Instead of liquid cooling, which would have been rather expensive when it came down to it, timofiend appears to have been alright with the temps: 37-38 degrees celsius (98.6-100 degrees fahrenheit) for the Xbox 360 and 38-39 degrees celsius (100-102 degrees fahrenheit) for the PS3. One of the reasons why more cooling was not installed was the large size of the guts on the bigger-version PS3 (aka not the slim model) used for this setup. We’re hoping timofiend can work in a few more consoles in the future – thinking of a Wii U and… heck, why not, an N64 for a wild card?

Check out some of the images from this masterpiece below:

[via Reddit]

The release of the hack proof PS3 would be preceded by a price drop on current models in order to clear them out. Again, according to Everything HQ, “The hack-proof SKU will be a slim PlayStation 3 model and will contain a 300GB hard drive as an incentive to purchase the hack-proof system – the price of the SKU will be £186.99″. That’s about $300 US.

This could also depend on Sony’s lawsuit against George “Geohot” Hotz, who posted a how-to video for unlocking the PS3 using a key. So now anyone who is really interested can jailbreak the game system.

Of course, the very name “hack proof” will be a motivation for breaking into it, so who knows how long that will last. What do you think? Is this worth Sony releasing a whole new system? Will it sell?

[via CrunchGear]

Sony and Valve (creators of Portal and now Portal 2) have collaborated on this version to bring the gamer what they consider to be one fabulous game. Gabe Newell, cofounder and president of Valve notes: “We made a promise to gamers at E3 that Portal 2 for the PlayStation 3 would be the best console version of the product. Working together with Sony we have identified a set of features we believe are very compelling to gamers. We hope to expand upon the foundation being laid in Portal 2 with more Steam features and functionality in DLC and future content releases.”

In addition to instant game saves vis Steam for cross-platform play, players Steam friends will be visible and accessible for game invites and chat. This is all in one package, and the game already looks utterly fantastic, if I do say so myself. Take a peek at a trailer or two below. Portal 2 will be coming out on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 in April 2011.

Also I’d be remiss in posting about Portal if I did so without making sure everyone heard the closing credits song as sung by the writer, Jonathan Coulton. Behold a masterpiece. I hope he’s involved in number 2.

[Via Ars Technica]

This news comes amid another announcement that PSJailbreak will be opening a sister site that will allow users to downgrade their systems to any previous version (making it even easier to break into.) This sister site sits over at PSDowngrade.Com. This downgrade of course requires a console with the original Playstation Jailbreak software – but make sure you’ve got the right one!

[Via Electronista]

The blue PS3 will launch along with Gran Turismo 5, which will be one of the best games on the PS3 this holiday season. The blue PS3 will be bundled with the Gran Turismo game and will be called the Gran Turismo 5 Racing Pack. That bright blue hue sprayed on the PS3 is Titanium Blue and will sell for the equivalent of $421.

The bundle will sport a 160GB HDD and the Gran Turismo 5 game will be the Limited Edition version sporting five DLC cars and a 308-page book. There is no word on if this special bundle will come to the US or not.

The device is designed to add back in some of the connectivity features that the PS3 lost when it went on its diet. The In2Link is a module that plugs into the two USB ports on the front of the slim console. It then provides three fully powered USB ports of its own.

Those three ports are hid behind spring-loaded doors and it also has a wide-angle IR receiver for line of sight reception. Add-on modules for the system are also coming with one featuring a retractable mini USB cable for charging controllers. Later a module adding in a SD card reader and a CF reader are coming.

Bit-tech reports that the PS3 is getting a new RSX graphics chip and RMA tweaks. The new graphics chip is a 45nm version using 15% less power and is less prone to overheat.

Anyone that has ran an original PS3 inside a small entertainment center knows how hot the console can get. The machine will reportedly now get 128MB of XDR RAM in twin sticks rather than the four 64MB chips in the console today. A new cooling assembly is coming as well. Word is the new redesign might actually net Sony a profit.

It’s unclear from the press release if the console will replace the existing, 120GB PS3 available in Japan, or go on sale alongside it.  Other than the storage bump, specifications are the same as before, which means Blu-ray 1080p playback along with internet access and, of course, gaming.  The 250GB PS3 arrived in the US back in November 2009.

Both ideas were junked for this generation of PS3, however, because Sony “felt that the price would be too high for the amount of storage capacity the PS3 needs.” Meanwhile relatively low network speeds – in comparison to HDD speeds – would have impacted on the gaming experience. Sony also considered making the PSU external, but dismissed it for its potential “restrictions on transport and use.”

[via Kotaku]

The application will be provided on a special Blu-ray disc, that’s free of charge to US Netflix subscribers.  Once slotted into the PS3 – and presuming the console has an ethernet or WiFi connection – they’ll be able to access the media catalog; adding films and TV shows to the Instant Queue can be done either on a PC in the usual way, or directly via the PS3′s menus.

Netflix costs $8.99 and there’s no extra charge for either the Blu-ray disc or the PS3 streaming.  Right now there’s no specific date for the PS3 Netflix disc to arrive, but if you want to know more you can always sign-up for information here.  Sony’s wording in the PR below seems to suggest that the Blu-ray disc is a workaround until a full XMB update arrives.

Press Release:

COMING SOON: NETFLIX MEMBERS CAN INSTANTLY WATCH MOVIES AND TV EPISODES STREAMED TO TVs VIA THE PLAYSTATION®3 COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

With Movies Streamed Instantly from Netflix, Blu-ray/DVD Playback and Downloadable Videos via the PlayStation®Network, the PlayStation 3 System Offers The Industry’s Most Comprehensive Options for Watching Movies and TV Shows
FOSTER CITY and LOS GATOS, Calif., October 26, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) and Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] today announced that they are joining forces to make thousands of movies and TV episodes from Netflix available to be streamed instantly to TVs via the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. Netflix expects to begin streaming via the PS3 system next month at no additional cost to Netflix members in the United States who have a PS3 system.
Today’s announcement pairs two of the most popular and fastest growing home entertainment brands in the U.S. The PS3 system’s installed base has reached close to 9 million units in the United States, and Netflix recently reported 11.1 million U.S. subscribers as of September 30.
The partnership further solidifies the PS3 system as the most complete home entertainment hub on the market today, enabling consumers to play high-definition games, watch Blu-ray movies, listen to music, view photos, browse the Internet, and download content from PlayStation®Network − from exclusive games to blockbuster movies and popular TV shows. PS3 system owners will soon enjoy an unparalleled experience watching their favorite movies and TV shows streamed instantly from Netflix, downloading from the PlayStation Network or watching Blu-ray/DVD media. The Netflix offering expands on the entertainment experience delivered to PS3 system owners via PlayStation Network.
For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers via Netflix ready devices such as the PS3 system and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes.
“The PlayStation 3 system has always been about more than just gaming, and it will soon be the only platform in the industry to offer consumers such a variety of convenient options for enjoying movies and TV shows,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. “Whether you want to watch content on Blu-ray disc and DVD, download it from the PlayStation Network’s video delivery service, or stream videos instantly from Netflix, the PS3 system is the only solution that offers it all.”
“As instantly watching movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix becomes an increasingly popular way to enjoy the Netflix service, our goal is to rapidly expand the devices that stream to our members,” said Netflix CEO and co-founder Reed Hastings. “As a leading game console and Blu-ray disc player, bringing Netflix to the PS3 system is a real win for both Netflix members and PS3 system owners.”
Initially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available to all Netflix members. The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live™ technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Netflix members simply slide the disc into their PS3 systems to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. These titles are conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members’ personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members’ individual instant Queues. Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues. With the PS3 system’s Wireless Controller, members can choose a movie to watch from their instant Queues or just play directly from any of the lists. They also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream via the Wireless Controller.
Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve a free instant streaming disc for PS3 systems by going to www.netflix.com/ps3. Upon availability, the instant streaming disc will be delivered for free by first-class mail, generally one business day after members request it.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game consoles, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its digital services which include the PlayStation®Network and the PlayStation®Store.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one® game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, and the PlayStation 3 and PSP systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
About Netflix, Inc.
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the world’s largest online movie rental service, with more than more than 11 million subscribers. For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes. There are never any due dates or late fees. Netflix members can exchange DVDs as often as they want using a postage-paid return envelope. Members can choose from a vast selection of DVD titles and a growing library of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. Netflix is partnering with leaders in consumer electronics to bring to market a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to members’ TVs. These devices currently include Blu-ray disc players and new Internet TVs from LG Electronics; Blu-ray disc players from Samsung and Best Buy’s Insignia brand; the Roku digital video player; Microsoft’s Xbox 360 game console; TiVo digital video recorders; and, soon, the PS3 system and Internet TVs from Sony and VIZIO.

As you might expect, the results involve a smashed TV and a bouncing PS3.  According to Sony Australia, the console hits the LCD with 774.4 joules of kinetic energy, translating to 790.2kg of force onto the glass itself.

It’s all in aid of publicising a promotion for Australian Sony buyers, who can get a free PS3 if they buy a qualifying HDTV from the company’s BRAVIA range.  As for those of us not Down Under, we can just enjoy watching a heavy console fly through the air with the greatest of ease.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this one in!]

The machine coming to the country will have a 120GB HDD and be offered in the traditional PS3 black only. Gamers in Malaysia will also be able to get their hands on the PSP Go as well as accessories for the PS3 Slim. Among the PS3 accessories will be a vertical stand to make placing the console easier. The stand will launch on October 31 along with the console.

The PS3 Slim will sell for RM1,299 and the PSP Go will sell for RM1,099. The vertical stand will be priced at RM82. The version of the PSP Go coming to Malaysia is the same 16GB version we have in the US and is available in other countries. Sony will hold a special launch event on the 31st at the One Utama Shopping Mall.

The 250GB Sony PlayStation 3 Slim will be priced at $349.99, $50 more than the existing model.  Sony have purposefully made the hard-drive on the console reasonably easy to access, so those who have already been enjoying their slimline gaming but would now like some extra space can upgrade the drive themselves and do so, we’re told, without affecting their warranty.

It seems likely that Sony will follow up with gaming bundle versions of the console, but for now, if you’re considering making the PS3 Slim the centerpiece of your home entertainment setup, we’d recommend waiting until early November.  More details here [pdf link].

Together with the PlayStation Eye, which will be a requirement for using the Motion Controller, the system will be able to track angle and movement, as well as the gamer’s absolute position in front of the screen.  Meanwhile the colored ball on top of the controller is used for both tracking and visual feedback, glowing in different shades, and the whole thing can vibrate for force-feedback.

The Sony Motion Controller – or whatever it ends up being called – is expected to arrive in stores come Spring 2010.  No word on pricing at this early stage, but you can see an early list of titles that will support the controller in the gallery below.

Press Release:

MOTION CONTROLLER* FOR PLAYSTATION®3 TO BECOME AVAILABLE IN SPRING 2010

Motion Controller (Tentative) Equipped with High-Precision Motion Sensors, Combined With PlayStation®Eye Camera, Delivers Whole New Entertainment Experience on PlayStation®3

Tokyo, September 24, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it will release new Motion Controller (tentative) for PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system in Spring 2010. The new controller, equipped with high-precision, highly accurate motion sensors, can deliver whole new entertainment experience on PS3 when combined together with the PlayStation®Eye camera*1. Capable of recognizing and tracking a user’s face and voice as well as body motion, PlayStation Eye can also output the player’s image onto the TV screen. SCE will vigorously promote the expansion of this new experience only possible on the PS3 platform.
The newly announced Motion Controller is equipped with two motion sensors, three axes gyroscope and three axes accelerometer that can detect the controller’s angle and movement held in the user’s hand. Together with the PlayStation Eye camera for PS3 which can accurately track the absolute position of the controller, the controller can detect the natural and intuitive movement of the hand and reflect the precise movement on to the game. The sphere placed on the top of the controller is not only used to track the absolute position but can also give visual feedback to users by changing the colors or the illuminating patterns of the sphere. Furthermore, the new controller is also equipped with a rumble feature, familiar to the PlayStation® DUALSHOCK® series controller, delivering immersive gaming experience to users.
Further expanding the new experience on PS3, SCE Worldwide Studios will deliver many exciting software titles for the Motion Controller in 2010*2. SCE, with strong support from software developers and publishers, will deploy various measures to enhance the software title line-up for the new Motion Controller and vigorously promote the PS3 platform.
* Motion Controller is a tentative name.
*1 Users will need to use the PlayStation Eye camera to enjoy Motion Controller on PS3.

The bundle will arrive in Japan on December 17th, and include a matching ceramic white DUALSHOCK3 controller.  The console will also have graphics of the game character “Lightning” printed on top.

Sony expect the 250GB PS3 Slim bundle to be priced at 41,600 yen ($458) and there’s no talk of either it arriving in the US or any other location, or of the 250GB console being available either separately or in other bundles.  Still, we can’t see them retiring it any time soon, not after recent leaks tipped various bundles due in Europe too.

Press Release:

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN TO INTRODUCE
PLAYSTATION®3 BUNDLE PACK FEATURING FINAL FANTASY XIII

Ceramic White PS3 with 250GB Hard Disk Drive And FINAL FANTASY XIII Comes in One Box

Tokyo, September 24, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ), a division of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. responsible for business operation in Japan, today announced that a “PlayStation®3 FINAL FANTASY XIII LIGHTNING EDITION” bundle pack will be available on December 17, 2009. The bundle pack will include the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system and the FINAL FANTASY XIII software title for PS3 and will be a limited time offer at a recommended retail price of 41,600 yen (including tax).
FINAL FANTASY XIII from SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. is the newest edition of the FINAL FANTASY franchise which has sold over 85 million units*1 worldwide. Taking advantage of the powerful processor in the PS3 system, the game features stunning visual graphics, a newly evolved battle system, and delivers a whole new gaming experience to PS3 users.
The PS3 system, bundled with the FINAL FANTASY XIII software title, comes in a special new Ceramic White color with the game’s heroine, “Lightning,” printed on the surface of the system. This limited model will offer all of the features and functionalities of the latest PS3, with the additional 250GB storage hard disk drive*2, to accommodate more games, movies, anime, personal photos and music, as well as entertainment content and services downloadable from PlayStation®Store.
With the “PlayStation®3 FINAL FANTASY XIII LIGHTNING EDITION” bundle pack, SCEJ continues to expand the PS3 platform and creates new boundaries for computer entertainment for this holiday season.
*1 Number as of end March 2009.
*2 The current PS3 model comes with 120GB hard disk drive.

Other screenshots have shown a fifth SKU, bundling Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time with the new 250GB console.  Meanwhile an internal email to GameStop employees explains the difference between the existing 120GB PS3 Slim and the new, larger-capacity version, which basically boils down to no real changes aside from the hard-drive.

According to the pricing in the images, the new bundle SKUs will retail for around 3799 kr ($644.16), which puts them around $85 higher than the price of the 120GB PS3 Slim in Norway right now.  No word on when the bundles will appear in stores, though, but if retailers are already alerting staff then it seems likely to be sooner rather than later.

“Eventually we want to be on all the game consoles, all the Blu-ray players, all the Internet TVs. So we are working in parallel with all of those efforts. Currently our Xbox deal is exclusive and we haven’t characterized it more than that.” Reed Hastings, CEO, Netflix

Hastings also predicted that the DVD-by-mail aspect of Netflix’s business is yet to peak, with the expectation that that will happen in around five years time.  Nonetheless, he still envisions that mailed DVDs will still be happening in 15 to 20 years, although accompanied by “huge growth” in streamed content.

This week, the company announced the results of a contest in which entrants were asked to submit better recommendation engines.  The winners took away a $1m prize fund, with Hastings saying that the new engine will be “doubling the quality of our movie recommendation and that helps our subscribers get more enjoyment from movies.”

[Thanks Peter!]

He’s also predicting the possibility of a new controller, though his comments on upcoming motion-controllers on other platforms seems to downplay the importance of that.  ”Present game machines already have a lot of functions: they are a network terminal, a Blu-ray or DVD player, and a gaming machine,” Wada told the Financial Times, “compared to these three pillars, the [new motion] controllers are quite limited, so the impact may be small.”

[via Joystiq]

Video overview after the cut

All that’s required on the remote PC is the Spawn Player app, which when the system comes out of closed beta will be freely downloadable from the company’s site.  A gamepad plugs into the computer’s USB port, and the system supports multiple players (in suitable games) with a mixture of on-console gamers, remotely on a single PC, or each using their own PC running Spawn Player.

Obviously it requires that you leave the chosen game in the console while you’re away, but it does allow you to play while someone else is watching the TV you normally use, or spend some time gaming while travelling.  The Spawn system also means that you can invite a friend to play a multiplayer game without them needing to come over, simply by temporarily granting them remote access and them downloading the Player client app.

The Spawn Labs HD-720 is available to order now, priced at $199.95, and with deliveries expected to kick off from November.  Out of the box it supports a single remote player on Xbox 360 or PS3; extra player adapters – which will mean more than one gamer can play simultaneously in multi-player titles – are available for $29.95.  Similarly, adapters for use with PS2, Xbox and Gamecube are also $29.95.

[via Kotaku]

From a “reliable source”, the 250GB PS3 Slim will be unveiled some time next month, as the Spanish portion of Eurogamer was told. We should apparently be expecting a 350 Euros price tag, or $509 here in the States. That’s quite a jump in price, but for the additional storage, there’s no doubt that people will pick it up. In addition, at least in Spain (as there probably wouldn’t be much need for it here on our shores), the 250GB PS3 Slim will be bundled with Fifa 10 and be sold exclusively through gaming retailer Game.

Of course, there’s nothing official from any kind of source as of yet, and Sony has refused to comment. But it’s not like October is all that far away, right? Though, we would like some feedback regarding the price, against the expanded memory. Considering Sony fought a hard battle to keep the high price tags on their consoles before recently dropping them, do you think you’ll pay more money all over again, to have more space? Or is the console war perfectly placed right now, at that $299 mark

[via Register Hardware]

Amazon Germany outed the PlayStation 3 Slim a full 20 days before it was launched, and so it seems right on some kind of path that the next iteration of the Xbox 360 would find its way to their electronic pages. But is there any truth to it? If we’re to believe what’s shown, we can expect a 250GB hard drive, two wireless controllers, and Forza Motorsport 3. Price wise, it’s listed at 247 euros, which equals about $397. Of course there isn’t a release date to be found anywhere, but if we’re going off game releases, then there won’t be any signs of this until about October, unless Microsoft gets around to announcing something in the coming month.

To be honest, we’re not sure what to make of this. Mostly because Microsoft seemed pretty overjoyed to be down to only two consoles, but that could be because they’ve got a new one on the way, with more than double the storage, plus extras. On the flip-side, it doesn’t make much sense for Microsoft to put a new console on the market, for an additional $100, when the sweet spot at this point seems to be $299. Unless, of course, rumors about that 250GB PS3 Slim are true, and we’re about to see a whole new leg of the console war heat up.

[via Engadget]

As the image displays, we’ve got a pretty clean showcase of the non-removable battery. The other picture shows the control scheme from the inside out. No, it’s nothing to get worked up over, but if you like to look at gadgets ripped apart, especially when it’s not you doing it, then you can stare longingly at the images shown off by levelup.cn.

The PSP Go! is still heading for an October release date, so we’ll have to keep waiting to get our hands on some wireless gaming. and as a refresher, it’s going to be coming in white and black, and be running a price tag of $249. It will also be available in the UK for the same price in pounds, and will be available in Japan on November 1st. Do you plan on getting one? Even if you’ve seen the insides of it already?

[via LevelUp]

So here we are, looking at “early releases” of Sony’s console, and without word regarding anything price-wise from Microsoft. It’s not like Microsoft to sit on the most expensive console on the market, so when’s the change coming? Well, according to trade publication MCV over in the UK, it could be “in a matter of hours”. We’re taking that to mean that tomorrow is probably the better bet, but we’d be happy to get surprised and hear an announcement later today.

The announcement, whenever it happens, is set to cover the full-range of Microsoft consoles out right now. Rumors state that the Arcade console could get a price hike; the current Pro model, with its 60GB hard drive, would be phased out altogether; and the Xbox 360 Elite and that 120GB hard drive, would get dropped to the standard $299 fare. If this pans out, stores might not have to just show off price cuts, and actually deliver on the goods.

Video of teardown process after the cut

Surprises inside are few and far between – oh, what we would’ve given for a few unexpected Steampunk-style cogs! – but there’s a huge fan and a smaller processor.  Rapid Repair also highlight the fact that Sony are preparing a larger-capacity PS3 Slim, the 250GB CECH-2000B.

Now, while the sites may be dissuading you from using these teardown photosets as a true disassembly guide, they could come in useful if you’re interesting in swapping out the standard 120GB hard-drive for a more capacious alternative.  Sony exec John Koller has already confirmed that doing so won’t invalidate your new PS3 Slim warranty, so now seems an ideal time to whip out the hidden hard-drive screw and slot in a 500GB drive instead.

Street dates are a pretty serious thing when it comes to the electronics world, or the world of technology in its entirety, and while it may not be totally unheard of for companies like Best Buy or Walmart to break street date on a product, it usually revolves around a video game or movie hitting store shelves a day early, or maybe even just a few hours before midnight the day of the official release. This time around though, we’ve got a full week of separation, and we’re not really sure on the reasoning. It could be just as simple as Sony wanted to surprise consumers with a quiet release, but let’s face it: that’s not Sony’s style.

So what do you think? Did Sony sneak a fast one on all of us? Or are some managers getting a little too antsy for their own good? The answer’s probably really cut and dry, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. But, the most important question has yet to be asked: did you get one yet? Let us know.

[via IGN]

“I think the better indicator [than individual console profit] is to look at the business as a whole platform, to ask: are you profitable in terms of the hardware, software and peripherals. And the answer to that question is yes on a gross profit level since the last fiscal year” Kazuo “Kaz” Hirai, Sony Computer Entertainment

The PS3 Slim had been credited by some commenters as the machine that would turn around Sony’s cash hemorrhaging, with the new 45nm Cell processor a key element of that change.  The first-gen PlayStation 3 had been unofficially estimated as costing Sony around $800 per unit to build, though obviously only selling for around half that amount.

Instead, Sony appears to be looking at the longer game, and relying on people buying games and peripherals for the PS3 Slim – as Hirai’s quote above suggests – to offset the initial losses.  Part of that involves broadening your user base, and Hirai points to the growing number of “family games” available through the PS Network as doing just that.

We found out this week that owners of the T-Mobile G1 may be out of luck down the road when large updates for the Android OS are offered. Apparently, the G1 is running out of memory to store significant updates. T-Mobile maintains the device has plenty of memory for updates. An iPod touch was spotted in the wild Monday sporting a camera. The device is said to have been recovered by an electronics recycler who acquired the device after Apple threw it away.

The results of a report published this week found that the Xbox 360 has a massive failure rate of 54.2%. The survey was of 5,000 people and if the numbers are accurate, more than half of the consoles sold have failed. Redbox unveiled its plans for game rentals this week and has pilot programs in place in Reno, Nevada. I love renting flicks form Redbox, but I am not sure about game rentals.

Sprint’s 4G WiMax service was rolled out in Portland and Las Vegas for consumers to buy for $69.99 per month. That’s a $10 premium over 3G service, which isn’t too bad really. I can’t wait until 4G is available nationwide. Microsoft unveiled a new webcam for those who want to show themselves online in HD glory. The LifeCam Cinema cam has a native 720p resolution sensor and can record at 30 frames per second.

Rumors that the Palm Eos, the next handset to run webOS like the Pre, might be delayed until 2010 have surfaced. My money says that the sales numbers for the Pre aren’t that great and Palm is playing a wait and see game before it tosses another handset into the mix. Lenovo offered up a new home server called the D400 and new nettops this week. The machines are reasonably priced and should be appealing to users looking for storage or a cheap desktop PC.

Finally some good news from AMD, the company was able to grab the lead in the discrete notebook GPU market from NVIDIA with a solid 53% market share. I am sure all the defective NVIDIA discrete GPUs in notebooks didn’t help NVIDIA grow. Kmart jumped the gun on Tuesday prior to the PS3 slim being announced and started taking preorders for the console. I bet Sony wasn’t too happy with whoever pushed the go button early.

It wasn’t too long after Kmart started taking its preorders early that Sony officially announced the long rumored PS3 slim. The new console lacks PS2 support, has a 120GB HDD, and will sell for $299. I wonder if the game devs will be happy now. Dell whipped out its Inspiron 11Z CULV ultraportable notebook at $399. The little machine looks like a worthy replacement for the DOA Mini 12.

Logitech unveiled the ominous sounding Darkfield laser mice this week. Two products come with the new laser tech called the Performance Mouse MX and the Anywhere Mouse MX. The big feature is that the mice can track accurately on clear glass at least 4mm thick. We ran a feature story this week giving you all the details you could ever need on the new PS3 Slim. If you have PS3 Slim questions, that feature is where you will find your answers.

Acer offered up a new nettop for business users called the Veriton N260G Wednesday that sells for $399. The rig is designed to be freestanding with an integrated prop or it can be attached to the rear of an LCD. New rumors about the Apple tablet surfaced mid-week that claim we should expect not one but two Apple tablets. One is said to be a 6-inch Kindle competitor and the other a larger device possibly running OS X. The rub is the things aren’t supposed to hit until 2010.

Canon offered up six new point-and-shoot digital cameras this week, the most interesting of them is the G11. The device offers RAW + JPEG mode and a slew of manual controls. All six of the new cams are set to debut this month and next. Wednesday we reviewed the cool new Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset. The device is one of the cooler looking Bluetooth devices I have seen, even if it is a bit feminine.

Razer announced a new mouse this week specifically designed for MMO players called the Naga. It looks like the love child of a graphics calculator and a gaming mouse to me. I would never remember where I bound what control on the 17-key rodent. Sony killed off the Vaio TT premium ultraportable this week. The notebook never really made sense considering that it was so much more expensive than the netbooks consumers were buying in droves and was about $4000 more than the average netbook.

The cool little mintpass mintpad is finally coming to America and will be selling through Amazon.com. The little PMP and web surfing device may be the perfect small screen device for the kitchen. We talked on Thursday about the new and faster 45nm Cell CPU in the PS3 Slim. The Cell processor in other PS3 consoles is built on the 65nm process and is cheaper to make and a reason the new Slim is cheaper than the older consoles.

Vizio proudly proclaimed that it had taken the top spot in LCD TV sales in America this week. The budget retailer beat out Samsung and Sony for the top spot in American sales. Bose introduced a new set of noise cancelling headphones this week that you are sure to see on the next commercial flight you take. The headphones are called the QuietComfort 15 and have new active and passive noise cancellation features built-in.

I remember when I was a kid the thing that always threw me when I asked my dad what time it was, was when he would say half past four. If you prefer to tell time like that we found your perfect clock this week called the QLOCKTWO. Instead of numbers, the clock uses words to tell time just like dad did. Apple’s next Mac version is shipping on August 28 so if you have already preordered Snow Leopard, you should be getting a package soon.

Duracell showed off some new rechargeable battery devices and one of them was called the my Grid. MyGrid is a clone of the WildCharge wireless charging device that I have been drooling over for weeks. Suddenly those Walmart bargain DVD players are a hot deal, but not in a good way. Walmart announced a recall of 1.5 million DVD players because of a fire risk. The DVD players sold under the Durabrand name for $29.

PCI Express 3.0 was delayed until 2010 with product said to not come to market until 2011. The specification was expected to be available this year with product coming in 2010, things obviously didn’t work out according to plans. Well, there is yet another week in review, until next week! Goodbye and thanks for the fishes!

According to the exec, Sony is concentrating on serving PS3 games and Blu-ray movies, which are apparently the main reason people are now buying the console.  Koller also confirmed that upgrading the hard-drive in the PS3 Slim would not invalidate the console’s warranty, and in fact claims Sony made it purposefully straightforward as “a two-screw process”.

[via Joystiq]

“As you know, the PlayStation 3 120GB is in great demand, and there are shortages of this product across the US,” Amazon declared in an official statement. “In an effort to provide as many customers as possible with the opportunity to purchase the PlayStation 3 120GB, we are limiting the total number of PlayStation 3 120GB units that can be purchased. As a result, each household may only purchase one PlayStation 3 120GB unit.”

There are analysts like Jesse Divnich of EEDAR that say retailers aren’t making much off consoles anyway. While the markup on the machines is low, almost nothing, retailers are able to also make money on the peripherals, from controllers to cables. And let’s not forget the video games. Divnich also noted that a household probably has no reason to have more than one or two PS3s (or any console for that matter)  in their home anyway, because buying up a load of them could send up red flags.

It will be interesting to see the sales numbers released by Sony after the launch fo the new console. Will the PS3 Slim really impact the market all that much? Will an impending Microsoft price drop of the Xbox 360 (the Elite is currently the highest priced console available) change things? Whatever happens, the future is still bright for these consoles, especially considering the possibilities of including upcoming peripherals bundled with consoles, like Microsoft’s Project Natal and the Motion Sensing controllers from Sony.

[via TG Daily]

The new Cell processor is also more frugal when it comes to power requirements, helping the PS3 Slim keep its draw down to 250W from the 280W of the first-gen design.  A collaborative effort between Sony, Toshiba and IBM, the three companies have declined to confirm what clock speed the new Cell chip runs at.

In fact Sony made no suggestion of performance increases during their press launch of the new slimmed-down PlayStation 3.  That could mean they’re holding back the power of the chip until a later date, when games will be able to take advantage of it (such as in a mid-model refresh), or it could indicate that they’ve throttled the processor back purposefully to reduce power demands and the like.  The PS3 is believed to use the same NVIDIA RSX GPU as the previous model.

For instance, a cable tidy at the back would’ve been a nice touch, since there’ll be a few cords snaking out the back of the PS3, and not all that difficult to arrange.  Or how about a nook for the inevitable remote control?

Still, it looks like there’s a nice slab of foam on which the PS3 Slim perches, and a nifty little locking arrangement to make sure it doesn’t fall off too easily.  We’re quite surprised by the lack of branding, too; we were sure Sony would take the opportunity to slap a big logo along the side.

Video after the cut

The new version is undoubtedly smaller, with a lower-profile casing when sitting flat that’s also shorter (but deeper) than the existing PS3.  It both weighs less (7.05lb compared to 11lb) and uses less power (250W versus 280W), though it will require an optional $24 stand if you want to position it vertically.  Aside from the size, the most obvious difference is in the finish: Sony have switched to a matte-finish black plastic, rather than the piano black glossy casing of the old model.

They’ve also saved some money on some of the more visually detailed aspects of the PS3.  The illuminated logo on the front panel above the Blu ray drive no longer rotates when you change the console’s orientation, while the buttons are more traditional physical controls rather than the touch-sensitive keys on the original.

Still, you get a Blu-ray drive that’s backward compatible with DVDs and CDs, and Sony have thrown in BRAVIA Sync HDMI-CEC control so that you’ll be able to control the new PS3 using your existing Sony AV equipment and remotes.  In the box there’s a Wireless DualShock 3 controller but no inclusive games; like the current two “fat” models the new PS3 also lacks PS2 compatibility, though it also drops Linux compatibility too in a move Sony says is “focussed on delivering games and other entertainment content”.  You’ll still be able to play your old PSOne discs, though.

The new Sony PlayStation 3 will go on sale on September 1st in Europe and North America, priced at $300 or €300, followed by Japan on September 3rd for 29,980 Yen.  Meanwhile the existing PlayStation 3 models – the full-sized 80GB and 160GB consoles – will see a price cut by $100 in the run up to the new console launching.

What that basically means is that unless you’re desperate for Linux support and are reluctant to spend more to hold your new console upright, we’d recommend waiting a couple of weeks for the new PS3 rather than picking up the freshly-discounted PS3 80GB.  Not only will you get the smaller casing and 50-percent more storage, but a machine that should cost a little less to run over its lifetime and, according to Sony, run a little quieter in use, too.

Jack Tretton talks slimline PS3:

Specifications:

• Product name: PlayStation®3
• Product code: CECH-2000A (Charcoal Black)
• CPU: Cell Broadband Engine™
• GPU: RSX®
• Audio output: LPCM 7.1ch, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD, AAC.
• Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
• Hard disk: 2.5” Serial ATA 120GB
• Inputs/Outputs: Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) x 2
• Networking: Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) × 1, IEEE 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth® 2.0 (EDR)
• Controller: Wireless Controller （Bluetooth®）
• AV output Resolution Support: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i　(for PAL 576p, 576i)
• Connectors: HDMI OUT connector, AV MULTI OUT connector, Digital out (optical) connector,
• BD／DVD／CD drive (read only) Maximum read rate: BD × 2 (BD-ROM), DVD × 8 (DVD-ROM), CD × 24 (CD-ROM)
• Power: AC 220 – 240, 50/60Hz
• Power consumption: Approx. 250W
• External dimensions (excluding maximum projecting part): Approx. 290 × 65 × 290 mm (width × height × length)
• Mass: Approx. 3.2kg
• Included: PlayStation®3 system × 1, Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK®3) × 1, AC power cord × 1, AV cable × 1, USB cable × 1

Press Release:

New Slimmer and Lighter PlayStation(R)3 to Hit Worldwide Market This September

Lower Price to Further Accelerate Expansion of the PlayStation(R)3 Platform Along with Extensive Software Title Line-up for Upcoming Holiday Season

TOKYO, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today unveiled the new PlayStation®3 (CECH-2000A) (body color: charcoal black) computer entertainment system, featuring an extremely streamlined form factor with a 120GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD). The new PlayStation®3 (PS3®) system will become available in stores from September 1, 2009, in North America, Europe/ PAL territories and Asian countries and regions at a very attractive recommended retail price (RRP) of US$299 and euro 299, respectively. The system will become available in Japan on September 3, 2009, at a RRP of 29,980 yen (including tax). With the introduction of the new PS3 system, SCE will also reduce the price of the current PS3 with 80GB HDD to a RRP of US$299 from August 18 and euro 299 from August 19. Also in North America, the price of PS3 with 160GB HDD will be reduced to a RRP of US$399 from August 18. By launching a vast library of exciting and attractive software titles for PS3 this holiday season and offering customers a line-up of hardware models and pricing to match their preference, SCE will build on the momentum and further accelerate the expansion of the PS3 platform.

The internal design architecture of the new PS3 system, from the main semiconductors and power supply unit to the cooling mechanism, has been completely redesigned, achieving a much slimmer and lighter body. Compared to the very first PS3 model with 60GB HDD, the internal volume as well as its thickness and weight are trimmed down to approximately two-thirds. Furthermore, power consumption is also cut to two-thirds, helping to reduce fan noise. While inheriting the sleek curved body design of the original model, the form factor of the new PS3 system features a new meticulous design with textured surface finish, giving an all new impression and a casual look. With the compact body and casual appearance, the newly introduced model will appeal to a wider audience who are looking to buy the best entertainment system for their home.

Concurrently with the release of the new PS3 system, SCE will modify the PS3 brand name from “PLAYSTATION 3″ to “PlayStation 3″, and introduce a new “PS3″ logo, which is engraved on the surface of the new PS3 system. By unifying under the familiar “PlayStation®” name, which represents the entire PlayStation family, PS3 together with PlayStation®2 and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) will further expand the PlayStation business, and will continue to enhance the entertainment experience along with the ever-growing PlayStation®Network.

The new PS3 continues to offer the cutting-edge features and functions of the current models, such as the ability to enjoy high-definition Blu-ray disc (BD) movies and games, as well as various content and services downloadable through the network. The new PS3′s storage size has increased from 80GB to 120GB, and with the extra capacity users will be able to store more games, music, photos, videos as well as various content and services available through PlayStation Network. Having more than 27 million registered accounts around the world, PlayStation Network offers more than 15,000 pieces of digital content, ranging from game titles, trailers, and demos to more than 15,000 movies and TV shows via PlayStation Store(*1). PlayStation Network members can also download free applications, such as PlayStation Home, a ground-breaking 3D social gaming community available on PS3 that allows users to interact, communicate and share gaming experiences, as well as Life with PlayStation, which offers users various news and information on a TV monitor in the living room by connecting the PS3 to the network.

Since the launch of PS3 in November 2006, the number of BD-based titles has reached more than 1,000 titles and downloadable PS3 games to 1,400(*2) titles worldwide, with the support from a broad range of third party game developers and publishers. In addition to this extensive software title line-up, exciting and attractive new titles are to be released from SCE Worldwide Studios, including Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, EyePet, Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, Heavy Rain, God of War 3, MAG, ModNation Racer, Gran Turismo 5 and more.

Other features of the new PS3 include:

PS3 system software update version 3.00

Concurrently with the release of new PS3, system software will be upgraded to version 3.00 on September 1. The update adds various user-friendly features such as the “What’s New” screen, where users can quickly browse the new items available in PlayStation Store as well as their recently played games directly on the XMB(TM) (XrossMediaBar), with short cuts to each piece of content. PS3 will evolve continuously with the system software updates, further improving the operability and enhancing the user experience available through the network. PS3 owners will be able to enjoy new features by simply updating the PS3 system software to version 3.00 via the “System Update” function on the XMB(*3).

- BRAVIA(R) Sync(TM) Feature

The new PS3 system is also equipped with the BRAVIA(R) Sync(TM) feature. By connecting the new PS3 system and a BRAVIA TV with the HDMI cable, users are able to directly operate the XMB on PS3 using the TV remote
control. Other functions include “System Standby” that will automatically turn off the PS3 system when the BRAVIA TV is turned off(*4).

- “Vertical Stand” for new PS3 (CECH-2000 series)

By utilizing the separately sold “Vertical Stand”, users will be able to set the new PS3 in vertical position(*5), making it easier to place the PS3 system anywhere at home. The vertical stand will become available in Japan on September 3, 2009, at a RRP of 2,000 yen (including tax) and in North America at US$24(*6).

- Removal of “Install Other OS” feature

The new PS3 system will focus on delivering games and other entertainment content, and users will not be able to install other

Operating Systems to the new PS3 system.

Along with a vast line-up of attractive and exciting entertainment content with the new PS3 system, SCE will continue to further expand the PS3 platform and create a new world of computer entertainment.
*1 Number as of end July 2009. Content within PlayStation Store will differ by region, please refer to the official PlayStation.com site for further details.
*2 Includes PS one(R) classics and free of charge content (downloadable demos).
*3 Users will need to connect their PS3 to the network to use the function.
*4 Users will need to use BRAVIA TV that supports the BRAVIA Sync feature. For further information about BRAVIA Sync, please refer to the official Sony site in each region.
*5 Users will need to use the separately sold “Vertical Stand” to set the new PS3 in vertical position.
*6 Release date of the vertical stand for North America will be announced when available. Release date and price of the vertical stand for Europe/ PAL territories and Asian countries and regions will be announced when available.

Today, over at Gamescom in Germany, Kaz Hirai  announced the official details of the PlayStation 3 Slim, much to the excitement of people everywhere. The details break down like this:

It will hit stores in September, be $299, with a 120GB hard drive. We will have further details on the console itself as soon as they happen.

Update: Check out all the Sony PS3 Slim details here

In other Sony news:

Sony’s Home for their PlayStation Network is getting some extra features. Avatars will have more dance moves in their arsenal, throw balls, and drink a shrinking potion.

Over in Europe, Sony is focusing a lot of attention in hopes to get it closer to what is already available in the US. They will get VoucherCards to start, which means an easier way to add Euros (for instance) to your account. VidZone is coming to Norway, Sweden, and other European Territories, which involves streaming music videos. They’re also getting a movie download service, which is set to launch in November of this year. The movie download service will hit Germany, UK, France, and others.

Here in the States, the PSP will be getting a Digital Reader this December. And to make sure that you want to get this feature, Sony has teamed up with Marvel to bring you the likes of Spider-Man, X-Men, and the Fantastic Four which will all be available via the PlayStation Network Store. The comics will be able to be downloaded straight to the PSP via the Digital Reader.

MiniS will be for the PSP Go!, and is Sony’s answer to Apple’s App Store it seems. There will be a 100MB size limit, we assume for the games. The online store, via the PSN, will be launched for the time of the PSP Go!’s launch, which means you can start downloading right from the get-go. Sony says there are a lot of distributors are on board for development: EA has Sudoku.

Among the confirmed specifications are Blu-ray and a 120GB hard-drive, together with a DualShock 3 controller and an HDMI port which supports 1080p High Definition.  They’re also suggesting a release date of August 24th, which would make it a far earlier release than the initial rumors tipped.

Sony are expected to take to the stage at the Gamescon Expo in Germany later on today to announce the PS3 Slim officially.  That’s now looking like a certainty rather than a prediction.