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Rumor: PS3 Slim coming this fall
We're throwing this one in the "probably not" pile, right next to our jar of skeptical sauce. A month after the conclusion of CES, gadget site T3 is reporting that while in attendance they heard that Sony will be debuting a slimline version of the PlayStation 3 (a "PSThree" if you will). According to T3's "well-informed insider," the unit will be smaller and lighter than the current console (well, duh).While we don't doubt that Sony will eventually give the PS3 a little nip and tuck, it's still far too early in the console's life-cycle to warrant such a drastic revision of the hardware – but we're not ruling out the possibility of a new SKU in the near future. The PSOne redesign appeared over four years after the first PlayStation was launched, and the slimline PS2 didn't appear until over three years after the original.A redesigned PS3 probably wouldn't appear until late 2009 at the earliest, making the possibility of one showing up this fall slim to none. Now pass that skeptical sauce, please.
Impressions of ... that other arcade stick
The Shaft, the Wii Classic Controller joystick that isn't the Hori Fighting Stick, was on display at this year's CES, and Gizmodo couldn't help but check it out, mostly because it has a funny name that can be giggled about. It's the "Wii" technique of attracting mainstream attention.Surprisingly, for something that looks like the misshapen hybrid of a Classic Controller and a cheapo arcade stick (well ...), Gizmodo thought the thing felt nice. Apparently the different colors also have different finishes: the black controller is rubberized, while the white one is smooth plastic. We don't know if they actually tried the controller out with any games. Talking about the thing was probably fun enough.
A full Ghost Squad's worth of weaponry
Cruising around the CES show floor, Siliconera's Spencer stopped in his tracks when he noticed this full line-up of Wii weapons. Fit for an entire Ghost Squad, these weapons will offer a solution for those who really don't want the Wii Zapper or Link's Crossbow Training. We can imagine ourselves diving around our living room with the shotgun, pretending we're in the Metroid Prime 3 teaser trailer from E3 2006.[Via Go Nintendo]
Nyko introduces first third-party Wii guitar
var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/nintendo/Nyko_introduces_first_third_party_Wii_guitar'; Nyko showed off some new accessories for the Wii and other systems (but most importantly the Wii) at the CES trade show. The company offered some more concrete information about the release of their Wireless Nunchuck, specifying a Q1 2008 release window and $30 price point for this product.Their other Wii peripheral is something that fills a very important need in the Wii accessory lineup: a standalone Guitar Hero III controller. The Nyko Frontman Wireless Guitar is a wireless (obviously) controller styled after the Fender Telecaster. This guitar should be out in March or April -- a few months and fifty dollars are the only things between you and rocking out with a second player. Unless Activision beats them to the punch with their own standalone guitars, in which case some other amounts of time and money will be required.
CES explodes with ever more iPod-compatible gadgets
This is yet another bonanza year of the iPod-docking-station compatible device if early reports from CES are to be believed. New docking solutions include jack-equipped cars, digital photo frames, iPod-compatible pacemakers, genetically modified cattle with horn-implanted docks, wearable dockware, iPod-compatible beer, and so forth. Or something like that. I got a little bored reading through today's press releases and may have embellished a bit. Actually, the iPod-compatible news from CES this year is a bit on the slim side. After last year's Macworld-CES head-to-head grudge match, CES seems to have realized this year that it doesn't produce all that much in the way of interesting Apple-related news.
HD-DVD cancels CES press conference
The HD-DVD group has cancelled its pre-CES press conference as a result of Warner Bros' decision to go Blu-Ray exclusive. In an email sent out to invitees they stated that they are "currently discussing the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluating next steps." This is a clear indication of the gravity of Warner Bros' announcement - to cancel a press conference is an undesirable and, usually, very public action to take. We're not the type to start going all "Mission Accomplished", but this certainly feels like a turning point in the format war. Blu-Ray's newfound support from Warner Bros and New Line Cinema means that huge future releases such as The Lord of The Rings and I Am Legend will only be available on Blu. This year's CES is definitely one to watch.
Sony CES site mentions Skype
A long time ago, we reported that references to Skype were hidden in the PSP's system code. Looks like these hints may become something more at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The Sony CES website has a brief mention of Skype in their text (see picture, above). Will we see a new firmware revision that takes advantage of this oh-so-desirable feature? We hope so.[Thanks, Jorge H.!]
