EricLempel
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PlayStation 4's live launch event begins at 11PM ET, check out the UI first (video)
It's almost time for the PlayStation 4 to arrive. With just a few minutes left before consoles go on sale on the east coast, you should definitely check out our in-depth review if you haven't already. Once you're through with that, take a peek after the break for a nine minute video dive into the system's UI as Sony VP Eric Lempel shows off the system's menus, store, live game broadcasting features, social feeds and much more. Sure it's cutting the timing kind of close, but whether you're still on the fence, waiting for a delivery or sticking it out in line outside a local retailer, this will give a good idea of what the system can offer. Once you're done comparing it to Microsoft's demonstration from last week (and downloading the day one patch and apps), check out the Sony launch event -- the live stream starts at 11PM ET. The Ustream feed is embedded after the break, but you can also watch it on the PS3's Live Events app, DirecTV, or Spike TV.
74 percent of PS3 owners have watched a Blu-ray, but how many have watched two?
Sony may be working to expand the perception of the PS3 as a media powerhouse with half-hearted bundles and new advertising campaigns, but according to SCEA Director of PlayStation Network Operations Eric Lempel, it's already doing quite well in that department. He indicates that 74 percent of all PS3 users have "spent some time" watching Blu-ray movies, with barely a quarter left shunning the machine's high-def creds. Of course, the real question for Sony's sake is how many have gone ahead and purchased some of those fancy discs, a stat that Lempel doesn't share, but regardless we have to think it's time for Sony to stop putting tedious advertisements for Blu-ray players at the beginning of its Blu-ray discs -- we've already got one, you see? It's very nice![Via Joystiq]
SCEA's Lempel says Sony isn't playing "catch up" with Xbox Live
Sony's been out there touting its PlayStation Network user numbers for some time now, but it looks like it's now ratcheting up the rhetoric when it comes to the actual user experience as well. Taking the lead on that front is Sony Computer Entertainment America's director of PlayStation Network Operations, Eric Lempel, who recently told Industry Gamers that Sony doesn't think "there's a lot of 'catch up' [with XBL] anymore," adding that, "in some cases, I think we've got more, and we've got some other things they don't have." Of course, he further goes on to point out that PSN is and has always been free, and he cites PlayStation Home as just one thing that distinguishes PSN from Xbox Live, adding that he doesn't "see a lot of things they're doing that we're not.". Your move, Microsoft.[Via Edge Online]
Sony working on direct-to-PSP download store
Now that PSP owners in the US can finally access the Playstation store without a PS3, it looks like Sony's getting ready to take the next logical step and cut the computer out of the equation as well. Speaking to MTV's Multiplayer blog, Playstation Network operations chief Eric Lempel said PSP downloads were "Something we're thinking about. With the capability of the PSP it's something that should be possible...it's just a matter of priorities and some technology that we need to make it all work right and make sure the content is delivered securely, just to protect some of our [intellectual properties]." Lempel went on to say that Sony is also working on an iTunes-like syncing functionality for the PSP, and that Mac support will be forthcoming. All in all, it seems like interesting times are ahead for Sony's newly-revived little gamer.[Via The Boy Genius Report]
PS3 firmware 1.82 on the way, adds AVC High Profile playback
Eric Lempel, director of PlayStation Network Operations, posted on the company's official blog that firmware 1.82 would be arriving on the PS3 in the next few days. The update's sole new feature appears to be AVC High Profile (H.264/MPEG-4) files. Now, instead of having to make due with Main Profile AVC, you'll be rocking the Separate Cb and Cr QP control and the 8x8 vs. 4x4 Transform Adaptivity! *drool*Lempel said that the update doesn't fix the audio problems that some commenters on the blog had complained about, but said that "hopefully this update is moving us closer." In other news that is not of any immediate help to anyone, Lempel says that Sony is "continuing to evaluate and improve things across the board, including PS2 software compatibility." Let's keep our profiles crossed.
Paid subscription a possibility for the future of PlayStation Network
Paying for a subscription would certainly seem to be a possibility, especially as the long-rumored feature upgrades come filing into the PlayStation Network. When speaking with Geoff Keighley on the latest edition of Gametrailers' Bonus Round, Eric Lempel spoke about the PlayStation Network's current free service and that, "in time, anything can change." Comparing the PlayStation Network to Microsoft's Xbox Live service, Lempel, Sony's director of Network Operations reconfirmed "we're working on an achievements system," describing its inclusion as "an important feature." Voice-chat across all games is also something (thankfully) that Mr. Lempel touched base on, saying "talking across games ... definitely builds momentum for games and actually migrate(s) users to other games and keeps you in touch with your gaming community." We couldn't agree more. Exactly when these implementations will make it to a PS3 near you, via firmware upgrade, is uncertain. "It's not in the next firmware update but it's something we're working on," says Mr. Lempel. We certainly hope so, though we are catching wind of the potential trade-off here. What do you think? Would you pay a subscription fee (similar to Xbox Live) for a plan that allows cross-game invites, built-in voice chat for all multiplayer games and a similar achievement points implementation? Or would you rather say the heck with all that, and voice to keep the PlayStation Network free for all, setting it apart from Microsoft's Xbox Live service? [Via Next-Gen]
