@exenter

Processors =/= blade servers.

But anyways, I suspect that part of the reason why they are doing this is to evaluate the performance of a larger scale cluster of PS3s. Seeing as not many people or organizations (or governments) can obtain IBM Cell blade servers but everyone with enough money and access to the internet can get PS3s, this may be a good way of figuring out how a similar setup could be used by an ambitious entity for an off-the-shelf supercomputer.

Or, as others have suggested, the USAF is intending to use them for a simulated war on the Playstation Network.

@SmokemeaKipper

The solicitation specifically is for the 160GB version (that was generally bundled with Uncharted). So yes, they are buying up the remaining 'fat' PS3s.

@exenter

And do what with them exactly? It's not like you can just drop it into any old motherboard. The thing about the PS3 is that it is relatively inexpensive, readily available (at least for a little while longer since they are buying the 160GB version), and has a fixed design (i.e. the core hardware is functionally identical from revision to revision) so that replacements units or additional units can just be plugged in or swapped out.

The IBM supercomputers using their Cell variant are orders of magnitude more expensive and are not necessarily upgradeable as easily as a PS3 cluster.

Maybe if people put enough pressure on them they'll offer some type of upgrade/trade-in program like Sony did for their PRS-500 e-readers.

It'd be a nice gesture after the whole book deletion fiasco.

It only does everything.

Now all it needs is a matching shoulder strap and it's a mini purse.

@Willen

Crap, I forgot that these card's microSD slots are used to expand the internal memory. I'm gonna assume that since the primary memory doesn't show up, the microSD isn't going to either.

Even being crippled to being able to use 512MB cards as the highest capacity, this is still cheaper than Microsoft's memory cards. Except for the fact that 512MB microSD cards are harder to come by nowadays, particularly in brick-and-mortar stores.

You do realize that may digital cameras still have 4:3 screens. Not to mention many GPS units and the ever popular Nintendo DS and its variants. Of course, none of those screens are as big as the one being used in this device, but there are some digital photo frames still being produced that use 4:3 screens. After all, most of the pictures being taken by digital cameras are captured off of a 4:3 sensor and viewed on 4:3 screens.

If the 7D is a STILL camera, how is it able to shoot video? /sarcasm

Seriously though, if I were to shoot video I'd choose this camera 9 times out of 10 over the 7D purely for the ergonomics. Even Engadget stated that the camera isn't suited for "run and gun" shooting. Not to mention the 12-minute recording limit. If Canon were to produce a EF-mount 35mm format lens designed for video with a smooth zoom movement and add proper in-camera audio recording support, I'd reconsider.

Also remember, this is a 3-chip (CMOS) camcorder. Overall color reproduction is better in this camera compared to the 7D and all other single sensor designs.

But let's face it, Canon deliberately hobbled their DSLR's movie modes to avoid competing directly with their own video cameras. Not to mention their competitor's.