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Next-gen Toyota Prius: bigger, stronger, more Prius-like than ever before
We already know that Toyota has an eye to the future with the Prius, likely switching up the batteries and adding a plug-in option, but now we've got a little more news on what shape the next generation fuel-saver will take. According to Auto Observer, the new model (said to be showing up at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show) will sport a larger, 1.8 liter engine, a ten percent increase in fuel efficiency, and will undergo a fairly noticeable redesign (though we doubt it will end up looking like the concept car above). Pundits say the new Prius will be larger, may be available in a wagon version, and there are suspicions that Toyota will grow the brand and include a compact version of the hybrid as well. One thing's for sure: with an increase in production of 60 percent for the next iteration, the eco-friendly car is sticking around.[Via AutoblogGreen]
DS Daily: You make the call
One of the big stories we've been following here at DS Fanboy is the rumor of us seeing a new DS at this year's E3. Whether it just be a more slim and sleek version of the DS Lite, or a complete redesign, we're hopeful that Nintendo will provide us with a more appealing handheld to plunk money down on this summer.What do you all think, though? What are the odds that we could see a new DS from Nintendo at this year's show? Do you find it highly likely, or are we just getting our hopes up for no reason?
Enterbrain denies 'redesigned DS' claims
That redesign of the redesigned Nintendo DS? Not happening. Or at least, not yet. It's not just Nintendo that says so, either. Now the source of the original rumor, Japanese publisher Enterbrain, has released a statement denying that president Hirokazu Hamamura ever suggested a new DS would show up at E3 in July, as originally reported by Bloomberg. "No such statement or announcement was made by the president," read the statement, adding that "He did not [...] make a comment about the possibility of an announcement by Nintendo concerning a new model or successor to the Nintendo DS due to its current scarce product availability caused by its worldwide popularity."Looks like another case of mistranslation, then. As for Hirokazu Hamamura himself, he was last spotted being hurriedly bundled into a black car with tinted windows by several burly men in suits and shades. Probably.%Gallery-20355%
Nintendo of Japan carefully denies redesign rumors
Nintendo of Europe has already officially denied the rumor that a new version of the DS would debut at this year's E3. Possibly due to the fact that the most recent rumor originates from a credible source (Enterbrain's Hirokazu Hamamura), Nintendo of Japan has also chimed in, in a statement given to Yukan Fuji.Nintendo told the website that "We cannot comment on the specifics of what will be announced at E3, but at the very least there won't be anything like what Mr. Hamamura suggested, so we would like to clearly deny this." The statement continued "We're having a hard time understanding what kind of evidence [Mr. Hamamura] had for saying this."Conspiracy theorists can read Nintendo's aggressive denial as confirmation, of course. They didn't say there wouldn't be any new hardware, just that there won't be exactly what Mr. Hamamura suggested. Which means that the new hardware, if it exists, is something other than a minor upgrade. Would Nintendo really have such a hard time figuring out why Hamamura would predict a new hardware revision? It's been over two years since the last one, and if history is any indication, Nintendo is due to drop a new system on all the people who just bought one.%Gallery-20355%
Nintendo: Don't count on that DS redesign
January, 2006: Rumors fly about a DS redesign. There had already been some word that we would see a new DS model, but Nintendo of Europe dismissed those rumors as "pure rumor and speculation."January, 2006: Just a few days later, the DS Lite is officially announced.April, 2008: Hirokazu Hamamura of Enterbrain speculates on the big reveal of yet another DS model at this year's E3.April, 2008: Nintendo of Europe says the Enterbrain boss's comments are -- wait for it -- simply "rumor and speculation."Surely we're not alone in sensing a pattern, and it's a pattern that goes beyond even NoE's mirrored statements. The announcement of a redesign this year would match the GBA's timeline, so while we're not going to come out and say that it's likely we'll hear about a new DS this year, we won't be surprised if it happens. In the meantime, we've loaded the mockup gallery with other fan-made possibilities. Know of a few that aren't represented here? Let us know! Some of these visualizations are just incredible.%Gallery-20355%
Enterbrain boss: New DS may be unveiled at E3
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Enterbrain_boss_Nintendo_to_unveil_new_DS_at_E3'; To us, the DS Lite is perfick -- it's slim, stylish, and beautifully proportioned. Will that stop Nintendo from giving the whole thing a facelift and turning it into something even more desirable? Probably not. Ninty has a history of giving its handhelds a nip and a tuck, and the company will have noted the extra momentum enjoyed by the PSP in Japan since its redesign. Frankly, we'd be surprised if the Lite wasn't updated at some point in the future.As would Hirokazu Hamamura, boss of Famitsu publisher Enterbrain, who reckons that Nintendo may announce a new DS model at this year's E3. Hamamura's prediction appeared in the latest edition of Weekly Famitsu, and was greeted by a "No comment" from Nintendo. Let the wanton speculation begin!%Gallery-20355%[Via NeoGAF]
Let Grace Chen walk you through the PSN Store redesign
Screenshots are all very well, but we've been waiting and waiting to see the PSN Store redesign in all its full-motion glory. Well, the time has come. Instead of a Store release post (there won't be one today, remember?) Grace Chen has stepped in front of a camera in order to show off the redesign to us. Thankfully, it looks fantastic. Complete with SingStar-esque fades between pages.Some of these features are more than we'd ever have anticipated. Being able to see every piece of content, whether it's a demo, wallpaper, theme or add-on pack for each particular game is excellent -- as are the pop-up and full screen preview videos. Finally, it's nice to see that the Store will no longer shrink when you buy content, instead a wee shopping bag will let you know that you've already bought it. Great. We can't wait to get our hands on the new Store when it's released on April 15th.Just in case motion makes your eyes go funny, we've put our collection of very static screenshots below.%Gallery-19482%
Store redesign dated for the 15th
Click for high resolution image. A press release sent out by SCEJ has revealed that firmware version 2.30 and, by extension, the newly redesigned PlayStation Store will be available on April 15th. There's no word on whether new content will be placed on the store on the day that the redesign goes live, and we're all too familiar with how much Sony hates updating the store on days that don't begin with "Thurs." When the update does go live, however, we'll have plenty of exciting content to look forward to -- Americans can finally get their hands on GT5:P and Warhawk fans the world over will be able to grab the latest expansion. What else? We have no idea, but we're excited to find out.Reacquaint yourself with the new Store design via our gallery below.%Gallery-19482%
New PSN Store screenshots reveal preview button; video coming next week
Click for high resolution image. The PlayStation Store may not have updated yesterday, but Grace Chen still managed to get a post up on the PlayStation.Blog. In it she reminds us that Warhawk is still only $29.99 (and, therefore, must be immediately purchased by those who still don't have it) as well as revealing a few new screens of the PSN Store redesign. We've added these to the gallery below and look forward to seeing the Store in motion when a video goes up on the PlayStation.Blog sometime next week.One of the screenshots reveals a "preview" button which, Chen confirms in the comments, will show off some some of the game's visuals to help people make a purchase decision. While the current store already has screenshots embedded in the item description, it seems that content will now be able to have video previews as well. This will make it much easier to see whether a game might be worth grabbing or not. %Gallery-19482%
Toshiba redesigns four Satellite families, intros Sleep-and-Charge USB ports
Just in case a completely ho hum 17-incher wasn't enough to keep your attention this morning, Toshiba is trumpeting its "design prowess" by introducing four "re-imagined" Satellites. As of today, the 13.3-inch U400, 14.1-inch M300, 15.4-inch A300 (pictured) and 17-inch P300 have all been ever-so-slightly refreshed with the outfit's Fusion Finish, Feather-Touch multimedia keys, white LED accents and built-in Dolby Sound Room technology. Additionally, Tosh is unveiling its totally useful Sleep-and-Charge USB ports, which enable users to charge up their portable gadgetry via USB regardless of whether the laptop is powered on / off or in Sleep mode. Check out the gloating in full below.Read - Toshiba Demonstrates Design Prowess with Four Re-Imagined Satellite LaptopRead - Toshiba Unveils Innovative Sleep-and-Charge USB Ports
Pictures emerge of impending PlayStation Store redesign
It's no big secret that Sony is gearing up to redesign the PlayStation Store for users in Europe and the US, but with just days to go until the hard hats are donned, we figured it prudent to pass along the latest tidbits surrounding the change. Apparently the refacing will start on April 3rd and finish up in around a fortnight, but until the job is finished, "no additional downloadable content will be posted." Of course, existing content will remain available, and chances are you'll appreciate the updates when all is said and done, but we know how tough it'll be to not log on weekly and eagerly sniff for all new material. Hit up the via for lots of pictures -- we're told it'll help the sting.[Via PS3Fanboy, thanks Kiwi616]
PlayStation Store redesign unwrapped, weekly updates suspended
click to enlarge SCEE has unveiled its PlayStation Store redesign, which is scheduled to launch in "mid-April." Weekly content updates will cease for the next two weeks until the redesign goes live, but "users can look forward to a special update in mid-April," Sony Europe teased in a press release. In addition, users will continue to have access to the store's back catalog as they await the mid-April relaunch. The redesign will not affect existing PlayStation Network accounts or the virtual wallet.The store redesign has been previously confirmed for North America and will release sometime in April. SCEA has yet to announce the exact release date, which may or may not coincide with the European update. Update: SCEA has announced the North American "revamp" will arrive via firmware update in "mid-April" (presumably day and date with the European update). Sony clarified that beginning April 3, no new content will be added to the store until the redesign is launched. Gallery: PLAYSTATION Store redesign
PSP-3000 reference discovered on PlayStation website
On its online instruction manuals, Sony Computer Entertainment has a few images for use as labels. There's one for the original PSP-1000 series (click here), and another for the current PSP-2000 series (click here). However, curiously there's also a placeholder image for the logical next-step: the PSP-3000 series (click here).The availability of the PSP-3000 image on the PlayStation site shouldn't come as a signal that a redesign is impending -- it's clear that Sony plans on revising the hardware through its supposed ten year life cycle. However, it does seem to display a bit too much forethought from the web designers that created and uploaded this image. How long will it take before we hear rumblings of yet another PSP redesign?[Thanks, GSK!]
Xbox.com gets an upgrade
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Xbox_com_upgrade_walk_through'; Xbox 360 owners were treated to a little surprise this morning when they logged into their Xbox Live account on Xbox.com. Various changes have been made to the Xbox.com experience including a listing of recently connected friends on the main page and the ability to browse the friends lists of your friends.We thought the best way to show you all the changes to Xbox.com would be to walk you through it ourselves. Feel free to check out a quick guide to what has changed on your favorite second favorite Xbox website. Continue to our Xbox.com Redesign Walkthrough [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
'Leaked' image shows PSN store redesign - or not
Upon receipt of the above image we at PS3 Fanboy went through several psychological stages. First, we were excited about the "leaked PlayStation Store image" which was allegedly sent to our tipster by Sony itself. Then our journalistic cynicism kicked in and we noticed a few things which seemed out of place. Not least of which was the title: "Playstation Store." Knowing Sony intimately, we're familiar with their weird spelling foibles and we know they'd never let themselves get away with the lack of capitalization of "PLAYSTATION" (or at the very least "PlayStation"). Not on an official screenshot at least.There are various other little niggles which have us scratching our collective chin, too. This is probably a mock up. A very good mock up, by all accounts, but a mock up nonetheless. Don't be disheartened, though. We're certain Sony will come up with something that will look and function beautifully. Just a month to go before we see it for real.
Rumor: PSN to receive store redesign in April?
Almost all of the news coming out of the recent Destination PlayStation retailer conference has been regarding various release dates. Kotaku, however, is reporting that a small extra rumor might have snuck out of the conference concerning the PSN store and a (much needed) redesign. Nothing's official or confirmed as of yet, but the rumor is out there and that's enough to get us to cross our fingers. We've often lambasted Sony for the state of the PSN Store and its horrific design, so we would love to see a redesign. The rumor goes that this store overhaul will come in April, around the same time Gran Turismo 5: Prologue hits and will resemble the Singstar SingStore. Sounds good to us, the Singstore is much flashier, easier to use and more practical than the current PSN store. Of all the rumors we've heard so far this year, this is the one we'd most like to see come to fruition.
Microsoft redesigns UK points, subscription cards
Considering the upcoming changes to the North American Live packaging, Microsoft has seen fit to redesign the inlays across the pond for consistency. Live subscriptions and points cards fall under the same design calling out Games for Windows and Xbox 360 much like the North American packages but include a few key U.K. elements.The packages (12 month Live and the 4200 MS Points cards) images from hit films as 300 and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets promote the recent activation of the European Video Marketplace while Halo 3, Call of Duty 4 and FIFA Soccer are promoted for their multiplayer elements. While the same design is expected to be used for 3 month subscription and 3200 point cards Microsoft didn't release those images in their press conference. From taking a look at the images in their hi-res glory we can safely say we like the new look, we did however miss the fine print that says Xbox Live isn't guaranteed to be working all of the time.%Gallery-16487%
This fan-made PSP redesign is sexy
A new PSP isn't likely to come any time soon. However, that hasn't stopped this designer from making his own concept design. We have to admit, this is really quite attractive. When closed, the unit looks very iPhone-esque, with a sexy PlayStation button that would act like the PSP's "Home" button.When slid open, the unit reveals a D-Pad, two analog nubs, and the face buttons -- all in a super-slim case. We know it isn't real, but we want it! Perhaps, the next generation of PSP will look something like this.[Thanks, BluezPS!]
Retail Xbox Live packages get a redesign
We love a good old fashioned retail package redesign, so when we spotted a 12 month Xbox Live subscription card sporting a new paint job, we just had to share.Recently, we discovered new and redesigned 12 month subscription cards at our local Best Buy and, after doing a double take, we fell in love with the new spotted look. And the old designs weren't even that bad. Anyway, we hopped online to find some press shots of the newly redesigned packages and came across the gallery pictures below. We couldn't find pictures of the prettified subscription cards, but we did find pics of both 12 and 3 month Live starter bundles. The subscription cards' new design is very similar to these bundles and we expect the whole Xbox Live retail lineup to see prettier packaging within' the next few months.Yes, we know, It's all cosmetic. But darned if we aren't suckers for updated packaging. So, without further need to wait, take a look at the new and improved packaging design for the 3 and 12 month Xbox Live bundles as we try to track down pics of the other retail offerings. Lovely, no?%Gallery-15189%
Is Sony's PS3 getting a redesign?
According to T3 magazine and a "particularly well-informed insider," the PS3 is due not just for hard drive updates, but a total design revamp down to a slimmer and smaller package sometime in the Fall. If you believe what you read, the refreshed console will sport all the same specs, but will receive a fresh coat of paint, a trip through the shrinking machine, and probably a lightened load. Of course, this is all just wild speculation coupled with salacious, magazine-selling 3D renders of the phantom device, as Sony denies the existence of an update and we don't really know who this source is. On the other hand, the company pulls this kind of ditzy "who me?" stuff whenever it's got a new product up its sleeve -- though we're not feeling the timing on this shocker.
