sen
Latest
.jpeg.cf.jpg)
Marvel Super Hero Squad: Infinity Gauntlet unavailable on XBLA, PSN
Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet's band of superheroes can no longer assemble on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network. The game's PSN listing now notes that the game is available in a "disc only" format, while the XBLA listing doesn't offer a price or way to purchase the game. Revealed in 2010 as a sequel to Marvel Super Hero Squad, Infinity Gauntlet's cast brawled their way through hordes of Lethal Legion followers in a plot related to the second season of a Cartoon Network series. Infinity Gauntlet's digital unavailability follows the disappearance of several Marvel-branded games earlier this month, as well as Capcom's pulling of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 in December. It's possible that Disney's acquisition of Marvel in 2009 is resulting in lapsed licensing agreements, but no explanation has been given as to why these games have been removed from console storefronts. In contrast, the more recent LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is still available in both stores. Of course, you can still hunt down retail copies of any Marvel games you were still considering purchasing. Considering warnings for some of these delistings were scattered across social media accounts, retail copies might be the easiest option to keep track of anyway.
Today's PSN maintenance ups activation slots for portables
If you've been waiting to tie all three of your PlayStation portables to one Sony Entertainment Network account, today's PSN maintenance will make you smile. For everyone else it's five hours of downtime starting at 9AM PT (12PM ET, 5PM UK time) and ending at 2PM PT (5PM ET, midnight UK - that's right, two hours extra for the extra special UK). There are some other, minor improvements being implemented during the maintenance, but the main one is the bumping up of portable activation slots to three. Once it's done, users will be able to tie SEN accounts to three Vita systems, or three PSPs, or a three-hit combo of Vitas and PSPs – go crazy with your combos, the world is your portable oyster. As for the downtime, as usual the PS Store, Home, and account management go offline, but if you've signed into PSN sometime in the last few days it won't affect online play or apps.
Sony Entertainment Network's Shawn Layden on security, indie content creators and more
Roughly a year and half ago, PlayStation Network IDs transformed into Sony Entertainment Network (SEN) accounts, and since then we've been introduced to the next-generation of console gaming for PlayStation. We caught up with Sony Network Entertainment COO Shawn Layden at IFA for a progress report on how the platform is doing on the eve of the PS4's launch. Considering a 2011 security breach was arguably the largest hiccup the PSN and PS3 have experienced, we wondered just what the firm had done to shore up its defenses for the next-gen wave. As it turns out, operations have been re-tooled, but Hirai and Co. aren't forthcoming with details. "As a result of that (the hack), we've instituted a number of measures, systems and protocols inside the platform, which you'll understand why I can't speak to that in any detail whatsoever," Layden said. "We had our baptism by fire early in 2011, and we've come out stronger and with more users from that point forward." In fact, Layden sats the PSN storefront saw more business the month it came back online than it had garnered up to that point.
Dark Souls 2 beta pushed back a week, sign up starting today
The first round of the Dark Souls 2 beta begins on October 12, followed by another round a fortnight later on October 27. The PS3 closed beta was originally billed for October 5, but hey, if there's one thing Souls players ought to be good at, it's patience. At least they can while away a bit of the wait by signing up for the beta through PSN; as far as we can see sign-ups aren't available in North America yet, but they are in Europe, where brave adventures can register via one really simple click right over here. Seriously, the other thing Souls players should be good at is spotting traps. Try this link instead, and be safe in the knowledge Dark Souls 2 hits PS3, Xbox 360 and PC in March 2014.
Sony adds mobile billing option to PlayStation Store, SEN
In addition to credit cards, pre-paid giftcards and PayPal, the PlayStation Store and Sony Entertainment Network now support a "mobile billing" option for buying Hatsune Miku DLC, episodes of Teen Wolf, Music Unlimited subscriptions and whatever else the kids are into these days. When adding funds to your virtual wallet through either the PS3's PlayStation Store or SEN's Account Management site, selecting the "Use Mobile" option will initiate the procedure. After receiving and confirming a text message (standard carrier rates apply, natch), the amount added to your wallet will either be tacked onto your phone bill, or deducted from your pre-paid phone account if that's how your plan swings. We're still holding out for a poultry-based bartering system. How many chickens do you think Battlefield 4 DLC is going to cost?
Sony refunding Deadpool PSN price disparity
If you purchased Deadpool from the North American PlayStation Network, it's possible that you paid too much and will soon be receiving a refund from ol' Aunt Sony. The game, originally listed for $60, should in truth have cost $50. Affected customers will soon receive an XMB notification informing them of their impending $10 refund, according to the official PlayStation Twitter. We wish more of the world worked this way. Like this one time, we bought a tiny paper cup of lemonade from a tiny child's ramshackle stand for 10 cents, only to discover that a different tiny child was selling equally small paper cups of lemonade at their ramshackle stand for seven cents! That first kid wouldn't price match, even after we threatened to call the Better Business Bureau! Can you believe that?
PSA: PlayStation Store returns to South Korean PS3s May 16
After being taken offline last July, the PlayStation Store will finally reopen for business on South Korean PlayStation 3 units on Thursday, May 16. The service was originally removed to comply with new South Korean legislation that made it illegal for persons under the age of 18 to verify online accounts with their real name or age. As a result, use of the PlayStation Store is now restricted to users 18 and older, regardless of whether the service is actually being used to buy something. As an apology to all users affected by the months-long outage, Sony Computer Entertainment Korea is gifting all eligible users one free month of PlayStation Plus.
PSN online purchases now automatically queue to download on your PS3, like your Xbox already does
There's now no need to dig around your PlayStation's downloads section for that fresh digital copy of Ni No Kuni you just picked up online at Sony's Entertainment Network store. Finally catching up to the likes of Steam (and other competition), your orders will now automatically start downloading a few minutes after booting up your PS3. PSN Stores has even uploaded a guided tour of the new function -- you'll find it after the break.
Sony rolls out another batch of free PSN credit in North America
Another selection of lucky so-and-so PlayStation Network users in North America received XMB messages with $10 credit from Sony yesterday. Following last month's influx of PSN credit, doled out to "loyal" customers and fans of the service, a further group of users, including some of our readers, received messages yesterday with the digital moolah attached. Once more, it's unclear just how many did and why.When approached, a Sony Computer Entertainment America spokesperson provided Joystiq with this statement: "While we don't disclose the exact criteria used, we can say that select active PSN users were chosen to receive an XMB message that included a credit for their SEN [Sony Entertainment Network] Wallet as part of this special promotion."It should be noted SCEA's Morgan Haro provided the same statement when asked about last month's credit giveaway. However, unlike previously, this time the XMB message makes no mention of loyalty. So it's unclear if this is a separate rollout from the one last month, or if Sony just wised up to not deeming a select group of its userbase as "loyal." We tease, Sony - free credit is just capital.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Sony hopes to turn on PlayStation web shop in US this month
Sony is way beyond fashionably late to the console web store party in the US next to the likes of Microsoft, but it told CNET here at CES 2013 that it hopes to officially bring its Sony Entertainment Network (SEN) store stateside this month. Though we already spotted the service recently (which allows you to order movie, TV and video content and set it to download automatically to your PS3), it was still in beta at that point and only in Europe. Residents there can place orders, with items appearing on Vita or PS3 download lists, but until the official launch happens, nothing will download for now -- at least not without some hacking, from what we saw before. It's not clear whether it'll launch stateside in the same fashion or go live, fully functional, on both sides of the pond at the same time. If Sony's words ring true, though, we shouldn't have to wait long to find out.
Sony launches web store for PSN content, only in Europe for now
A new Sony Entertainment Network web store quietly launched in Europe this morning, now making it possible to buy PSN content via a PC. We've confirmed the store is accessible in certain European regions, including the UK, but it's not available in the United States or Canada as yet. Approached for comment, a Sony Computer Entertainment UK rep told us, "We are testing a new web store, which we look forward to announcing and launching to the PlayStation/Sony community shortly."The SEN store offers a slick black look in line with the redesigned PS Store. Content can be filtered by platforms, genre, type (games, add-ons, demos etc.) and release date, and then further filtered by things like price range and required accessories. Much like the Xbox Live Marketplace via Xbox.com, purchases made via the web store then appear on download lists of compatible Sony devices, a process we verified on both PS3 and Vita. However, unlike with Xbox.com, purchases cannot be set to automatically download.Sony converted PSN accounts into SEN ones earlier this year, a move clearly intended to give its online content a more universal umbrella. That changeover surely reached its logical conclusion this morning, one will that evermore save us from finding out about a cracking PSN deal and then being forced to boot up and navigate our PS3s and Vitas to actually purchase it.[Thanks, Simon!]
Sony unveils two new ES receivers that are the first with Control4 built-in, plus one without
Wondering where Sony would go next with its high-end line of ES receivers? The answer is apparently home automation. As we've seen the segment heat up with competition from companies like your cable TV provider and even Google (does anyone remember Android@Home?), Control4 and Sony have announced at CEDIA 2012 that they are partnering up to create a simpler option for the custom install market. While it doesn't address our main gripe with Control4 -- that it needs an authorized dealer to install it or tweak the setup, with all the associated costs -- it does make the STR-DA5800ES (announced last week at IFA) and STR-DA2800ES receivers an easy choice for custom builds by integrating the company's software directly into them. That means less wiring and complication for setup, and not only do the receivers themselves tie in with the system, Sony's ES control apps for iOS and Android can also control the home's automated features. The necessary license to activate the software costs $300 if you buy it along with the receiver, which will cost $2,099 for the STR-DA5800ES and $999 for the STR-DA2800ES. Still want the ES-level build quality, built-in WiFi, Bluetooth and AirPlay support but aren't keen on home automation? Opt for the STR-DA1800ES, priced at $699 -- more details are in the press releases after the break.%Gallery-164473%
Sony unveils top of the line HX95 HDTV for Europe at IFA 2012
Sony's latest and greatest HDTV popped up in Japan earlier and now it has made its European debut as the HX95 series at IFA 2012. We're not seeing pricing information or a release date listed, but the benefit of a native English press release confirms it features full LED backlighting as well as the company's latest image processing technology. All that's left now is to find out any US release details, we'll see if we get any more information today or have to wait until CEDIA 2012 next week. In the meantime, check the PR after the break and browse through a gallery of sweet images showing off the slim monolithic design.%Gallery-163685%
Sony unveils latest HX950 flagship HDTV in Japan with 'Intelligent Peak LED' backlighting
While Sony's current lineup of HDTVs has so far topped out with the HX929/920 series that's been kicking around since 2011, in Japan it has just unveiled a new top of the line model: the HX950. Often rumored in the last few months, it's available in 65- or 55-inch varieties and features Sony's now-trademark monolithic style as well as "Intelligent Peak LED" backlighting. Although Sony's brand name for the tech doesn't exactly reveal how it works, information leaks have suggested it is full array LED backlighting and not edge based, although we don't know how many zones (individually controlled light sources) are in play. What we do know, however is that it claims to outperform the LED backlighting in the old 929 quite handily, although we'll let our eyes be the judge of that. It also includes MotionFlow XR960 (800 in the US) motion processing tech that can create 240fps from 60 frames and a glass panel mounted to the LCD itself with a special type of resin designed specifically to reduce glare. Finally, there's also the usual add-ins like 3D and Sony Entertainment Network streaming video. We haven't seen any European or US information for this model yet, although with IFA 2012 under way and CEDIA coming up that may change quickly. Currently pricing in Japan for the 65-inch is expected to be around 650,000 yen or $8,269 when it ships November 10th, but we should mention actual US prices are typically much lower than a direct conversion. Unofficially, one retailer is already listing the 55- and 65-inch models for sale in the US for $3,499 and $5,499, respectively, although we'd take that with a grain of salt until we know for sure.
Sony STR-DN1030 AV receiver with AirPlay, WiFi and Bluetooth starts shipping
Right on schedule, the AirPlay sporting, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth AV receiver we told you all about last month is officially available. The 7.2 channel, 145-watt per channel STR-DN1030 retails for $499 and is the first AV receiver to not require some sort of dongle or other accessory, to connect wirelessly to your other gadgets. That means it is all that much easier to stream music to it from your Apple AirPlay, DLNA, or Sony Entertainment Network source. All seven of the inputs on the back support HD and of course the usual assortment of audio codecs and video up conversion features you'd expect are included. Still not sure it's right for your home theater? Maybe the additional details in the press release after the break will push you over the edge.
Sony STR-DN1030 7.2-channel home theater receiver with Airplay and Bluetooth hands-on
Truth be told, we spend a lot of time listening to music, movies and hands-on video clips through our headphones and laptop speakers, but when it comes time to sink into the plush leather seats in a proper home theater, you better believe high-quality audio is a top priority. Sony's STR-DN1030 serves as an update to last year's STR-DN1020, and promises to deliver on that quality promise, with a bounty of connectivity options to boot. WiFi and built-in Ethernet enable the 7.2-channel digital receiver to stream from AirPlay, along with Sony Entertainment Network (SEN) music services including Music Unlimited, Pandora, Slacker and vTuner. The device is also DLNA compatible, IP controllable and it can power on (from standby mode) whenever you begin to stream a song over AirPlay or Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR connections. We dropped by Sony's NYC headquarters for a quick peek at the DN1030, which we're told very quietly made the rounds at CES but has yet make its official debut. The receiver, which boasts 145 watts per channel (not including those dual powered-sub connections), was paired with seven high-end Bowers & Wilkins speakers and a powered Sony subwoofer. It's nearly impossible to pass complete judgement on any high-end audio product after a brief demo in a room that isn't optimized for sound, so audiophiles should certainly hear this thing for themselves before coming to any conclusions of their own. Still, we were quite pleased with performance from what we saw today -- Bluetooth and AirPlay connections appeared to be seamless, Slacker loaded quickly and audio quality was quite solid from all of the wireless sources, along with Avatar and a recorded Cream concert on Blu-ray. Best yet is the receiver's price -- the STR-DN1030 will set you back just $499 when it hits stores in mid-July. %Gallery-158292% Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
Sony exec confirms IPTV aspirations, says they're on hold due to bandwidth caps
CES came and went without an update on the status of an alleged cable TV alternative the Wall Street Journal claimed Sony was building to push ahead its four screen strategy, but now Sony Network Entertainment VP Michael Aragon has given the rumor new life. Variety reports that during its Entertainment & Technology Summit Monday Aragon confirmed the company is considering offering TV services over the internet, but is waiting to see what happens with ISP bandwidth caps. Specifically referring to the Comcast 250GB limit that has recently come under fire from Netflix and others now that its Xfinity TV app on Xbox 360 skirts the cap entirely, Aragon noted cable companies have the pipe and the bandwidth and can restrict competing services. We've heard Netflix has been trying to negotiate its own path around such restrictions even as Redbox partners with Verizon on a video service, and rumors have periodically popped up linking Apple, Microsoft and any other tech giant you could name to similar plans. What does all this mean for the future? No one can say for sure yet, but unless some of the key players start to partner up instead of go to war we may need the FCC to step in before anything significant changes.
Netflix brought into the Sony Entertainment Network fold for British Bravia buffs
Britons and citizens of the ROI! Sony's bringing Netflix to all Sony Entertainment Network-connected devices. It looks like Kaz Hirai's plan to "unify" the company and its media offerings is beginning to gain a little momentum. If you have a SEN-connected 2012 Bravia TV or Blu-ray player, then the app should be available soon -- although no-one seems to know precisely when. If you're on PS3, or in the States, then Netflix is old news, so don't bother with the press release after the break
US PlayStation Vita now able to access PlayStation Store (if you have one)
Despite not being available to most consumers for another week or two, the PlayStation Vita's online store is now ... online, offering five Vita titles and a handful of other content to purchase. The available Vita games mirror those already available in meatspace from GameStop and online via PS3 (Hot Shots Golf, ModNation Racers, Super Stardust, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Wipeout 2048), while the PSP games and video content mirror the other PS Store content.We also managed to get an online game going with Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, so it looks like at least some of the online infrastructure is now live (the game was directly between two Vitas over the internet, but we had issues searching for public lobbies). If you're one of the lucky few within the US who already has a Vita, now would be a good time to claim an extremely limited opportunity at topping the leaderboards, not to mention beating us handily at UMvC3.[Image above features Japanese PS Vita Store]
Sony announced three new series of HDTVs for 2012
No one is more pleased than us that Sony has finally seen the light and somehow found a way to condense last year's lineup of 27 TVs to only ten new models for 2012, all due in Q1 2012. All of which fit into either the BX, EX or HX line. We'll start at the top with HX. It is broken up into the HX850 or HX750, both available in 46 or 55-inches. All the HX models are Skype ready (optional CMU-BR100 camera and microphone) include Track ID, have built-in WiFi and provide access to the Sony Entertainment Network (SEN) as well as apps like Netflix and Hulu Plus. The key different between the 750 and the 850 is frameless Monolithic design and Motionflow XR 960 vs the 480 Motionflow flavor on the 750. The EX640 also has Motionflow, but the 240 type, and instead of having built-in WiFi like the HX, there's a dongle in the box. SEN is available on the both the 40, 46 and 55-inch EX640, but no other apps are. Rounding out the lineup on the lower end is the BX450 CCFL back-lit available in 40 and 46-inches and finally the BX330, only available in 32-inches. The complete press release is available after the break, but don't bother looking for any prices, because they aren't there.
