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PlayStation3 posts

Leaked PS3 XMB images hint at Facebook integration, new image layout

by Ross Miller posted Nov 11th 2009 at 6:42PM

Although we were too late to verify for ourselves, both Joystiq and Scrawl swear up and down that the above three images, each of whom unfortunately lack a higher-res version, all hail from the official Sony Computer Entertainment Europe website, and each showing a feature of the PlayStation 3's XMB we haven't seen before: some form of Facebook integration, the ability to change gamercard colors, and a new method of photo organization / perusal. None of these would be too surprising or earth-shattering, really, and the juiciest question of them all -- exactly when we might see these additions -- is still a mystery. Just in case the pics come back up, their respective URLs are just below.

[Via Joystiq and Scrawl]

Read - Image one
Read - Image two
Read - Image three

Netflix instant streaming demoed on PlayStation 3 (updated with more video!)

by Darren Murph posted Nov 6th 2009 at 5:00PM

Aw, suki suki now! Those Netflix instant streaming discs that started floating out to anxious PS3 owners yesterday are obviously splashing down, with YouTube user (and avid Engadget reader) otimus posting up a stellar walkthrough showing everything in action. We've got to admit -- the whole thing looks exceptionally sleek, but given the PS3's multimedia prowess, we didn't really expect anything less. He stated that he didn't notice any stuttering as he sifted through films and mashed play, and that any jitters you see in the video (after the break) can be blamed on the janky TV capture device. So, any others receive their disc today? How's the experience?

[Thanks, Otis]

Update: Our best buds over at Joystiq got some quality hands-on time with this (video is now after the break), so be sure and check it out!

Continue reading Netflix instant streaming demoed on PlayStation 3 (updated with more video!)

How would you change Sony's PlayStation 3 Slim?

by Darren Murph posted Oct 30th 2009 at 11:43PM

For the most part, we'd say that Sony addressed the concerns of many when it introduced the PlayStation 3 Slim. The console was smaller, cheaper and easier on the eyes, and of course the 120GB hard drive didn't hurt matters either. That said, we know that the redesign didn't please everyone, and we've heard more than a few PS3 diehards complain about the new design. If it were you designing a newer, less expensive PlayStation 3, what would you have done differently? Kept PS2 backwards compatibility? Colored it white? Added HD DVD support? Don't be scared to get a little crazy -- besides, they call that "innovation" in the corporate world.

Netflix for PlayStation 3 requires a disc, software solution coming late 2010

by Ross Miller posted Oct 26th 2009 at 7:34PM

It can't all be sweet, right? So Netflix is indeed coming to PlayStation 3, but there's a catch, and that is a disc (badly photoshopped into the picture above) will be required for use -- not just for a one-time install, but every time you want to stream. Joystiq shot some questions off to the company, who justified this as being "fastest and easiest way to let PS3 enthusiasts get Netflix on the PS3" and that an embedded software solution through XMB will be coming late next year. It denies this has anything to do with Microsoft's exclusivity agreement, but frankly we're a bit bummed by this perplexing hurdle in convenience. At any rate, be sure to go reserve your disc now if you want to start streaming -- assuming, of course, PlayOn hasn't already satisfied your Netflix needs.

Read - Netflix interview
Read - Disc reservation page (must be logged in to see)

Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3

by Ross Miller posted Oct 26th 2009 at 12:11AM

What a coup. After we've been hearing all along that Xbox 360 had a game console exclusivity to Netflix streaming, Sony just announced it, too, will be joining in on the fun. Timeframe? Sometime next month. Press release after the break.

Update: Turns out a disc will be required for streaming, and that's the only solution available until a PS3 software update sometime in late 2010.

[Via PlayStation blog]

Continue reading Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3

250GB PlayStation 3 Slim coming to US November 3rd

by Ross Miller posted Oct 15th 2009 at 4:04PM

It's no Uncharted 2 bundle (hello, Europe), but US gamers will indeed be getting their own 250GB PlayStation 3 Slim bundle, due to hit stores on Novvember 3rd for $349.99, just one Ulysses S. Grant more than the 120GB model. No other difference beyond the storage capacity, and of course you can always swap out the 2.5-inch SATA drive yourself with warranty kept intact. Holding out for some limited edition artwork or PS2 compatibility? Keep on dreaming.

Sony's 250GB Uncharted 2 PlayStation 3 Slim bundle on sale in Spain

by Darren Murph posted Oct 14th 2009 at 8:44PM

See that there? That's a whole gaggle of 250GB Uncharted 2 PlayStation 3 Slim bundles ready and waiting for owners in a Spanish retailer. Of course, SCEA won't mention if this thing is ever coming to US soil, but hey, that's what importers are there for. Anyone managed to pick one up yet? Let us know in comments!

[Thanks, Alex]

Sony Ericsson Aino now Remote Playing with European PS3s

by Darren Murph posted Oct 14th 2009 at 10:41AM

We know Sony Ericsson's PS3-lovin' Aino would be hitting European shelves at some point during the month, and now Sony itself has stepped forward to confirm that the handset is on sale. We're hearing that it's selling for £399.99 ($639) sans a contract, and just in case you're wondering why you and your PlayStation 3 should care, the Aino is capable of turning your console on and off, browsing the XMB user interface, accessing DRM-free content on the HDD, shopping for items in the PS3 Store and watching live TV via PlayTV. Hit up the read link for all the nitty-gritty, and be sure to hit your British friend up if you're stuck yearning here in the States.

[Via Joystiq]

Sony says Nazi PS3 ad is a "mock campaign" and not real

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 1st 2009 at 1:31PM

We can't say this was unexpected, but Sony just pinged us to say that that Nazi PS3 ad is "totally fake" and was made without their approval -- here's the statement from the executive president of BBDO Chile, which made the ads:

This creative design did not involve and was never approved by Sony Computer Entertainment or Sony. This "mock campaign" was developed by BBDO Chile staff and was submitted to various creative competitions/festivals without prior notification or approval from SCE/Sony, and it is not representative of the views or advertising policies of SCE/Sony. BBDO Chile apologizes for using this creative concept without authorization or prior approval, and for its misrepresentation of the PlayStation brand and its values.

Settles that, we suppose -- although we're guessing BBDO Chile isn't going to be Sony's agency of record very much longer.

Video: Ben Heck's 17-inch PS3 Slim laptop makes hearts race

by Thomas Ricker posted Oct 1st 2009 at 4:14AM

Is it us or has Ben Heck outdone himself with the minimal clean design of his latest gaming mod? This laptop sees Sony's PS3 Slim stuffed into a monochromatic chassis with 17-inch Gateway 1775w LCD throwing a 1280 x 720 pixel resolution. There's even space inside to tuck away the power cord when traveling. The pinstriped result is nothing short of elegant, sporty even, especially when compared to his PS3 laptop from 2008. Not much in the way of detail yet, but really, this one's meant to stimulate the heart, not the frontal cortex. See it throb to life in the video after the break.

Continue reading Video: Ben Heck's 17-inch PS3 Slim laptop makes hearts race

Chilean PS3 ads show gamer giving blood transfusion to a Nazi

by Nilay Patel posted Sep 29th 2009 at 1:49PM

You'd think Sony's ad teams would have learned to stay away from needlessly controversial imagery after that whole "White is coming" PSP debacle or even those "Take a Running Jump Here" ads, but... they haven't. Check out these Chilean PlayStation 3 ads, which show a modern-day gamer giving a heart transplant to Joan of Arc and a blood transfusion to a Nazi. Yes, Sony has Godwin'd its own advertising. The Nazi in question is supposed to be Erwin Rommel, a highly decorated and respected German field marshal, but it's not like Sony's really riffing on that here, and making an ad with a swastika in it that relies on your audience to know the subtle nuances of WWII history just isn't the smartest move in the world. It's a pretty simple rule: if you make a video game ad with Nazis in it and it's not about shooting the Nazis, you've screwed up. Let's just stick with those creeptastic Japanese PS3 spots, okay?

P.S.- We'll shut off comments in a heartbeat. Behave yourselves.

[Via Copyranter]

Continue reading Chilean PS3 ads show gamer giving blood transfusion to a Nazi

PS3 3.0 / 3.01 firmware update making Blu-ray drive unusable?

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 25th 2009 at 2:34PM

What could possibly cause nearly 700 comments on an official Sony blog post announcing the relatively minor 3.01 firmware update for the PS3? Plaudits? A Kanye meme gone awry? No, it's the age old problem of an update that apparently breaks more than it fixes. In this case, a sizable number of users are reporting that the 3.0 and/or 3.01 update caused their PS3's Blu-ray drive to be all but unusable for both games and Blu-ray movies (although some folks report that DVDs still work). Other users are also reporting intermittent problems like no sound, and some problems with specific games, but it does seem like the complaints are pretty widespread and, as of yet, Sony isn't saying much about them. Bitten by the upgrade bug yourself? Let us know in comments.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

250GB PS3 shows up for pre-order on Amazon.co.uk, ships on October 1

by Paul Miller posted Sep 25th 2009 at 11:29AM

In what has become the "hip cool thing to do" for consoles these days, the 250GB version of the PS3 Slim is up for pre-order in the UK before it's been even confirmed by Sony for most of the world. Sadly, it's just the boring old black version -- so far the white PS3 Slim has only been seen making nice with Final Fantasy XIII in Japan -- but at £285 (about $455 US) it is more than double the capacity for only 40 more "quid" than the original PS3 Slim. Pre-orders are available now, and Amazon says the console will ship on October 1. So the question is, do you jump in now, or do you wait for one of the myriad 250GB bundles headed for Europe? It's the moral dilemma of our times.

[Via I4U]

Video: a brief history of game console teardowns

by Ross Miller posted Sep 25th 2009 at 7:42AM

Granted, none of these are teardowns we haven't already seen ad nauseam, but seeing every Sony and Microsoft console ripped to shreds and placed side-to-side in a series of glass cases is still a sight to behold. Peruse the display yourself, found at Tokyo Game Show and shown courtesy of the Museum of GAME Science, in a video tour after the break.

Continue reading Video: a brief history of game console teardowns

PS3 Slim sells 1 million units in 3 weeks, chin chin!

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 24th 2009 at 2:02AM

We're not big into tracking sales figures but a million consoles sold is pretty notable. Especially when your 3 year-old console achieves that number in just 3 weeks. Of course, the sale bump is the result of the PS3 receiving a price adjustment, some minor cosmetic slimming, and internal tinkering that most notably decreased power draw (and noise). Good on ya Sony. But we'd love to see auction sales statistics for the same three weeks -- we expect there was an appreciable uptick in demand for first gen consoles with hardware-based PS2 emulation, SACD playback, and 4x USB ports immediately after the PS3 Slim was announced, and its mysteries revealed.