Playstation3Slim
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Amazon says PS3 Slim already facing supply shortages, Sony disagrees
Been holding off on that PS3 Slim pre-order, waiting for Sony to tell you that this whole PS2 backwards compatibility issue was just a big misunderstanding, and of course Sony will keep trying its best to reintroduce PS2 compatibility into the PS3? Well, you might want to rethink that strategy, cowboy, because Amazon is warning of "shortages of this product across the US." It's already limiting Slim sales to one per person, and has a more lax five-Slims-per-person strategy in the UK. Meanwhile, Sony in Europe is saying not to worry, since it has "trucks and trailers" of the new console already on the road . We just don't know who to believe these days, but if you're not prepared to wait past September 1st for a crack at the Slim, you've got some deciding to do. Read - GamesIndustry.biz Read - MVZ
Video: Another look at PS3 Slim and its removable HDD
Sure, you've seen the pictures already, but just in time for the weekend, we thought we'd put together this video showing off the PlayStation 3 Slim, both on its lonesome and as it compares to the classic PS3 and its Xbox 360 competitor. There's also a small segment that confirms what many readers have asked about: yes, the 2.5-inch Serial ATA hard drive is indeed removable and is done so with Sony's blessing (i.e. no worries, it won't void your warranty). The HDD enclosure is located behind a front panel just under the disk drive, which is a snap to pull out once you undo the blue screw from the bottom of the console. Confused? Check out the video after the break, you'll see what we mean.
EA, Ubisoft execs applaud PS3 price cut, also like things that are good
Well, this one doesn't exactly come out of left field, but it looks like gaming industry execs are starting to sing a decidedly different tune now that Sony has finally cut the price of the PS3. Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Ubisoft bigwig Yves Guillemot said that "it's exceptional news, actually," adding that "I think the machine is a great machine, with the Blu-ray." EA Games president Frank Gibeau was also apparently more than happy to back up that praise, saying that, "I think it's awesome," and that "it's an old line, but it still rings true for us: 'We make the ammunition for the hardware wars.' So the lowest priced hardware possible is a good thing for us." Still noticeably mum on the matter, however, is Activision's CEO, who once threatened to pick up his ball and go home if Sony didn't drop its prices. [Via Joystiq]
Editorial: A slimmer, cheaper, better PS3. Was that so hard?
I've wanted a PlayStation 3 since forever. It plays Blu-ray movies, it has some great exclusive titles, and it looks like it could beat somebody up without breaking a sweat across its glossy matte brow. But it's always seemed out of reach price-wise. As my desire grew stronger over recent months, I found myself unable to pull the trigger: I just didn't want to pay $400 for a video game console that came out in 2006. The fact that I could get a lot more for my $400 than $500 would've gotten me at launch was hardly consolation, given that the PS3's main competition, the Xbox 360, has been available in a "full fledged" edition for $300 for a while. Luckily, the PS3 Slim has come at last to save me from all this heartache. Follow along, as I journey from the mire of indecision to the glories of console love... but really, it's all about the price drop.
Yesterday's PlayStation news, all in one place
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: Sony's GamesCom presser coverage live at Joystiq! Live from Sony's GamesCom Press conference (at Joystiq) PS3 Slim and PS3 classic: Sony unveils slimmer PS3: $300, lands in September (updated!) PlayStation 3 Slim unboxing and hands-on! PS3 Slim sized up: smaller, deeper, no Linux or PS2 compatibility Sony sneaks PS3 Slim through FCC under pseudonym, 250GB model discovered Sony finally hacks $100 from 'old' PlayStation 3 price, starting today Sony announces PS3 firmware 3.0, European PlayStation Video Store, Digital Reader comics viewer Editorial: A slimmer, cheaper, better PS3. Was that so hard? PSP: Sony announces 'snackable' 100MB Minis for PSN Store Sony announces three new PSP-3000 colors for Europe PSP Minis, Digital Comics get their own promo videos
Sony sneaks PS3 Slim through FCC under pseudonym, 250GB model discovered
Shenanigans were afoot in Sony's efforts to throw bloggers (such as yours truly) off the scent of the just-announced PS3 Slim in the FCC, and we've got to give them credit -- filing the thing as a "Computer Entertainment System" manufactured by "Sand Dollar Enterprise, Inc." managed to do the trick. Well played, Sony. Anyhow, it turns out that Sand Dollar's address is registered to Sony Computer Entertainment of America, which in turn leads us to the matter at hand: test documents for this sneaky bugger reveal a second model number, CECH-2001B, listed as a 250GB version of the console. For the math challenged, that's over two times the storage of the only SKU announced thus far, so if they can get this out for a reasonably modest bump in MSRP (we doubt it) and get it out quickly, it might be worth the wait. Why it's legal for a company to falsify its name with the feds like this is unclear, but we'll admit, we respect and admire the effort. In fact, we'd be even more likely to buy a Slim if it came from a company called Sand Dollar, we think. [Via PlayStation 3 News]
PlayStation 3 Slim unboxing and hands-on!
Yes, we can hardly believe it ourselves, but Sony came a-knockin' at our door today, and we were more than willing to answer. The PlayStation 3 Slim is now official in-house, and it's a matte-laden beaut. Enough chitchat -- live vicariously through our unboxing and hands-on pics below! Update: Some details for clarification. The buttons in the front are now physical and actually "click" in to function. The PS logo above the disc drive does not rotate for vertical use, and yes, the hard drive is swappable -- as you can see from the pictures, there's a screw on the bottom, hidden by a panel, that lets you take off part of the front for access. We've also lined it up against our standard, fatty PS3, and we gotta say, it's noticeably lighter. Update 2: Here's a more thorough comparison between the slim, the original, and the Xbox 360. Some people were asking about the texture of the matte finish, and compared to Microsoft's console, it's just a teensy bit rougher (and on that note, about the same weight, too). It's still just as glossy as the original on the sides, however. We still gotta compare the noise of the slim, stay tuned! Update 3: While our tests were far from thorough, the initial results from our quick-and-dirty decibel ratings show some promise. With a baseline of 49 decibels, the Slim averaged 53 to 56 db when in use / playing a game / installing data (in this case, Metal Gear Solid 4), compared to the 55 to 58 db of the original. Blu-ray movie playback is where it becomes noticeable, as the slim peaked for us at 60 db when the original was doing 70 db running the same disc.
PS3 Slim sized up: smaller, deeper, no Linux or PS2 compatibility
120GB PS3 Slim 160GB PS3 80GB PS3 Product code CECH-2000A CECH-Pxx CECH-Kxx / CECH-Lxx Price $299.99 $399.99 $299.99 Color Matte Black Piano Black (Glossy) Piano Black (Glossy) HDD 120GB 2.5-inch SATA 160GB 2.5-inch SATA 80GB 2.5-inch SATA Dimensions 11.42 x 2.56 x 11.42 in. 12.75 x 3.86 x 10.8 in. 12.75 x 3.86 x 10.8 in. Weight 7.05 lb. 11 lb. 11 lb. Power 250W 280W 280W Vertical Stand Optional ($24) Not necessary Not necessary Compatibility PSOne PSOne, Linux PSOne, Linux PS2 compat? No No No BRAVIA Sync (HDMI-CEC) Yes No No Bundle Wireless DualShock 3 controller Wireless DualShock 3 controller, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, PAIN downloadable game voucher Wireless DualShock 3 controller At this point, would-be PlayStation 3 buyers have two options: wait until next month to get the ultra-hip PS3 Slim model for $300, or plop down that same figure now for its chunkier older brother. As far as we can tell, unless you're absolutely dying to load Linux or another OS on top of the console, or have some strong aversion to matte finishes, there's really no incentive to purchase one right now without a more drastic price cut -- or if you're really lucky, perhaps you can find one of the older, discontinued models that can still play PS2 games.
Sony's GamesCom presser coverage live at Joystiq!
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!
Sony PS3 Slim shows up for pre-order at Kmart, $300
Our suspicions about that earlier Kmart ad were spot-on. The link is now hot with specs showing a PS3 Slim priced at $300 which includes Blu-ray, a 120GB hard disk, DualShock3 controller, and HDMI output with 1080p support. It's listed with an August 24 release date which seems a bit eager to us. The Kmart site is updating which means that some of these details could change (like the price and date) but this seems like a definite for announcement later today at Gamescon. Update: Sears has the same offer and date.
PlayStation 3 slim listing pops up on Amazon Germany
Here's something fun to start your weekend with. Amazon's German site now has a listing for "PlayStation 3 Konsole slim" from Sony Computer Entertainment, and really, it doesn't take years of foreign language class to figure out that English translation. It's listed as "platform independent" (har) and has its own Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN), but on the flip side, we're lacking a picture, release date, or any other tangible details. Can't say we've got a feel for the site's track record on random listings, but after all the rumors and possible sightings as of late, it really makes ya wonder. Update: In case you're wondering about that picture that now appears in the listing, it looks like a fan render that a customer has uploaded to Amazon. [Thanks, Mitchell B]
Probably-fake video of the PS3 slim surfaces
We're pretty much assuming this video of a purportedly "stolen" PS3 slim at a street market in the Philippines is fake, but given the mounting pile of evidence and Sony's other recent leaks, we feel compelled to share it with you. Nothing particularly amazing here -- it's a blurry video of a black plastic box with that new rounded-off logo style from the PSPgo on it -- but if it's real it's certainly interesting. So, what say you -- KIRF, or the real deal?Update: So this video was originally posted in the PS3 News forums, along with the nicer high-res pic above, which pretty much matches the box art we've seen. Anyone changing their minds?[Thanks, Khattab]
Slim PS3 update: mysterious Chinese firm issues a cease and desist... to Engadget
You know, one of these days, someone at one of these big companies is going to get this right. If you send a cease and desist about "leaked" photos of a supposed device, you're basically saying, "Hey guys, those pictures are real." Now, we can't tell you with 100 percent assurance that that's the case when it comes to those factory pics of rubber-gloved hands all over an apparently-new PS3 hardware design, but it doesn't help anyone's case when a Chinese company sends your Japanese wing a takedown notice. Keep in mind, since this thing isn't from Sony, we can't really be sure that it's the real deal, but we'll be honest -- things are starting to look mighty suspicious. Text of one of the charming messages after the break. We'll pause for comment now.
