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Sony announces WiFi-less PSP E-1000, hits Europe this fall for €99

Donald Melanson — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:37:00 EST

Sony had more than just a PS3 price cut to reveal at its Gamescom press conference today: it also announced that it will be releasing a new budget-priced PSP model that sports a new design and curiously ditches the WiFi capability that the PSP has had since its debut. No word of a North American release just yet, but folks in Europe will be able to pick it up this fall for €99 (or about $140, though we're guessing the actual US price would come in below that; the standard PSP-3000 currently demands €130 in Europe). Hit the gallery below for a closer look.

Update: Sony has now also confirmed that the device will be dubbed the PSP E-1000, and that it will indeed only be available in PAL territories.

Gallery: PSP E-1000

Sony announces WiFi-less PSP E-1000, hits Europe this fall for €99 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next gen PSP to have touch controls -- on the wrong side?

Tim Stevens — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:09:00 EST

Touchscreen controls are nice for some applications but, until someone invents transparent fingers, they're a real bother for gaming. Many, including Apple, have toyed with the idea of putting the touch sensitive sections on the back of the device, and we have strong rumors coming out of Gamescom this week that this is the path Sony is taking for its next-generation PSP. Now, we've been hearing various rumors about this thing for just about as long as we've known about the first-gen PSP, but Sony is said to be quietly showing off a prototype unit about the size of a PSP-3000. While everyone agrees about the touch-sensitive portion 'round the back, it's unknown what (if any) physical controls will go along with it. A release date for the thing is also unclear, with some saying next year and others saying it'll be later than that. Whenever it ships we hope it'll do the right thing and finally put the UMD format out of its misery.

Next gen PSP to have touch controls -- on the wrong side? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Sony Motion Controller video reveals pinata smashing, hair styling

Donald Melanson — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:51:00 EST

Sony may not have done another full-on demonstration of its Motion Controller at this week's big Gamescom event, but it did at least put together a little video showing off some of its progress, and GameTrailers has now thankfully obtained the goods so everyone not there can have a peek. Of course, there's not exactly a whole lot in the way of actual new details, but we do get a glimpse of plenty of new potential applications for the controller, including using it as a paint brush, a magic wand, a torch, a bat to smash a pinata, or even an all-in-one hairstyling tool. Head on past the break to check it out for yourself.

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New Sony Motion Controller video reveals pinata smashing, hair styling originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yesterday's PlayStation news, all in one place

Nilay Patel — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:47:00 EST

Sony had itself quite a day yesterday, effectively reinvigorating the PlayStation brand with the $300 PS3 Slim and a host of upgrades and updates to the PSP, the PlayStation Store, and PlayStation Network. Now that the dust has settled, we thought we'd throw down a little recap in case you didn't catch it all -- it's clear that the lower-priced Slim has a lot of people talking about finally buying a PS3, but we think things like PSP Minis "snackable" games and the new PS3 firmware 3.0 might be equally important in the long run. Here's the full breakdown:

Liveblog:

PS3 Slim and PS3 classic:

PSP:

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Yesterday's PlayStation news, all in one place originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony unveils slimmer PS3: $300, lands in September (updated!)

Paul Miller — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:22:00 EST

Hardly a surprise, but Sony got on stage today at GamesCom and confirmed what we've all known deep down in our hearts: the new, slimmer PS3 is really real. It'll be out in the first week of September (September 1 in North America and Europe, September 3 for Japan), and will retail for $300 (or 300 Euro, or 29,980 Yen). It's smaller and lighter, has a 120GB HDD, and packs "all the same features" of the regular PS3 while consuming 34 percent less power and taking up 32 percent less space. Existing PS3 SKUs have their prices dropped a hundie apiece tomorrow in anticipation, so be sure to grab a space heater while you've still got a shot -- though we're not sure why you'd pay $300 for an 80GB PS3 when you can wait a couple weeks and get 120GB in a cuter package. A couple pics of the unveil are after the break.

The new 3.0 firmware will be released concurrently with the PS3 slim, which should provide a breath of fresh air for existing machines. Other new features of the PS3 slim include BRAVIA Sync, which allows you to control the PS3 XMB over HDMI through your BRAVIA TV remote, and System Standby to shut off the PS3 when the BRAVIA TV is off. Sony also claims this new machine will run more quietly than existing PS3 systems, which is good news for people who like to watch movies or have conversations in the general vicinity of their game console. There's also a Vertical Stand, which will retail for $24. Not so awesome is Sony's removal of the Install Other OS feature... farewell, Linux. We hardly knew thee.

Update: We've got press shots! Check 'em all in the gallery below, and be sure to pore over that to-scale comparo pic up top. There's one from above as well, which reveals that the new model is actual "deeper" than the PS3 fat.

Update 2: Video! Our main man Jack Tretton talks up and shows off his spanking new slim PS3 after the break. We've also got a full rundown of the specs for your perusal, and added some new information above.

Gallery: Sony's slimmer PS3

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Sony unveils slimmer PS3: $300, lands in September (updated!) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony announces three new PSP-3000 colors for Europe

Donald Melanson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:48:00 EST

Sure, Sony's had plenty of big announcements at Gamescom today, but fans of lowered expectations aren't out of luck either, as the company's once again gone back to the paint shop and brought out three new colors for the still-sticking-around PSP-3000. Those include the all new "turquoise blue" and "blossom pink" colors, the former of which will come bundled with LittleBigPlanet, as well as the "lilac purple" model that's already made an appearance in the US (which'll also get the same Hannah Montanna Entertainment Pack). Still no word on the new colors getting a release over here, but it looks like folks in Europe will be able to get their hands on them in November.

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Sony announces three new PSP-3000 colors for Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony finally hacks $100 from 'old' PlayStation 3 price, starting today

Darren Murph — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:31:00 EST

After begging, pleading and imploring Sony for months on end to lower the barrier to entry on its PlayStation 3 console, the company has at long last relented. Starting today (supposedly, anyway), all existing PS3 consoles will retail for $100 less than they did yesterday, though it looks as if most e-tailers have yet to ratchet their tags down to reflect the change. Of course, you could wait just a few more days and snag a PS3 Slim for the low, low price of $299, but the question is -- will you? Do tell in comments below.

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Sony finally hacks $100 from 'old' PlayStation 3 price, starting today originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony announces 'snackable' 100MB Minis for PSN Store

Darren Murph — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:23:00 EST

Over in beautiful Cologne, Germany, Sony has just confirmed what we've suspected for months now. Exclusive to the PSN Store, loyal Sony gamers will soon have access to a new segment of titles, ones that'll be available anytime and anywhere that there's an internet connection. The 100MB (or less) selections -- which are being officially called Minis -- are designed to take advantage of the "smaller development cost on the PSP," and if all goes well, we'll see 15 games (such as Tetris, Hero of Sparta, MiniGore and Fieldrunners) launching on October 1st. There's been no mention yet of how expensive these "snackable" apps / games will be, but we're holding Sony to its promise of 50 by the end of 2009.

Update: Press release after the break.

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Sony announces 'snackable' 100MB Minis for PSN Store originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's GamesCom presser coverage live at Joystiq!

Nilay Patel — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:52:00 EST

Hey, Sony's GamesCom press conference is just about to get underway, and our pals from Joystiq are there covering it live. We just got sent this leaked memo on Sony's presentation, and it says there'll be an "unannounced Playstation 3" on stage, so it seems like the PS3 slim is even more of a lock than before -- but what are you waiting around here for? Go hit the liveblog!

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Sony's GamesCom presser coverage live at Joystiq! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 price cuts appear in print, must be real (update: 'new exciting Playstation 3')

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:20:00 EST

As the story goes, a Kotaku reader just received these PS3 posters (now posted after the break) into the FYE shop where he works. You'll notice that the "new low price" is augmented with a "while supplies last" disclaimer indicating what could be a close-out on the 80GB (soon $300, reduced from $400) and 160GB ($400, reduced from $500) PlayStation 3 models. More evidence, perhaps, that a PS3 Slim announcement is imminent -- even as soon as today's Sony presser at the Cologne Gamescom Expo that kicks off at 12 noon ET or 1800 for those of you on Central Europe time.

Update: Kmart is now in on the action with a front-page ad (pictured above) that says the "rumors are reality" and then promises linked details about "new low price and a new exciting Playstation 3." Unfortunately, the link isn't populated with the new prices or the new model yet but we'll keep digging.

[Thanks, Jeremy23j and Daniel]

Read -- FYE poster
Read -- Kmart ad
Read -- Kmart home page (wait for ad to cycle)

Continue reading PS3 price cuts appear in print, must be real (update: 'new exciting Playstation 3')

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PS3 price cuts appear in print, must be real (update: 'new exciting Playstation 3') originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Network conveniently down for maintenance during Sony's press conference today

Ross Miller — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:21:00 EST

There's something very peculiar about Sony bringing down the PlayStation Network for "maintenance" today from noon until 2:00PM ET. Not only is that timeframe somewhat prime gaming hours for North America and Europe -- and arguably Asia, too -- but it also happens to coincide perfectly with the company's press conference at the gamescom expo in Cologne, Germany, the rumored site for the PS3 Slim's official debut and a price cut for the original. We've no doubt that Sony's got a handful of major announcements lined up for the event, revised console or no, and we wouldn't be surprised if the online store played into that somehow. Of course, the timing of the maintenance could all be some big coincidence, but if you ask us, the chances of that are pretty, well, slim. If we're really lucky, maybe Sir Howard Stringer will come out and explain that laughter-tracking patent.

[Via Joystiq]

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PlayStation Network conveniently down for maintenance during Sony's press conference today originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Retailer claims PS3 Slim is headed for Europe next month, getting 100 Euro price drop

Paul Miller — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:41:00 EST

More fuel to the spreading rumor of a gamescom debut for the PS3 Slim: French games site JVN got ahold of an "anonymous retailer" who spilled the supposed beans of an impending PS3 Slim launch in Europe. Word is that the console is supposed to land next month over there for €300 Euro -- €100 Euro less than it currently retails, a real sight for sore, price-gouged eyes -- and gamescom seems to be the safest bet for a debut. Other details are scarce, and some facts are downright confusing: the console is currently being listed by this retailer's wholesalers as a "limited edition," which naturally seems silly given the traditional PlayStation life cycle. Still, we like where this all is headed.

[Via Joystiq]

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Retailer claims PS3 Slim is headed for Europe next month, getting 100 Euro price drop originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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