Looks like the 80GB Core PS3 may be more energy efficient than ever. A user at the Slickdeals forum connected his brand new 80GB Core system to a Kill-a-watt and discovered a slight energy savings. For example, the 40GB model used 155.2 watts when playing MGS4 -- the 80GB model used only 130 watts. The 40GB used 125.8 watts when idle on the XMB, while the 80GB used 111.9 watts. The popular theory is that Sony has secretly switched to new 65nm RSX chips: these are cheaper to manufacture, and are considered more reliable. Sony has not yet responded to these claims, but we wouldn't be surprised if each new SKU introduces new savings for the costly PS3 manufacturing process.
PS3FANBOY
Showing posts with label Hardware. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hardware. Show all posts
8/26/2008
8/23/2008
Confident Sony takes advantage of Bank Holiday as new SKU launches today
Sony has told MCV that the introduction of its new 80GB PS3 will rapidly push up demand for the console – as it brings the launch date forward a week to this Friday (August 22nd).
Following its flurry of announcements at the Leipzig Game Convention last night, SCE UK boss Ray Maguire told MCV that the platform holder is very confident in its new SKU – as it goes head-to-head with Microsoft’s 120GB 360 Elite and newly launched 60GB Xbox 360 Pro.
Maguire said that PS3’s “easily removable” hard drive sets it apart from its competitor, and claimed that PS3’s downloadable content is second-to-none.
“Our operations department in Japan managed to deliver the 80GB PS3 a week earlier than was originally anticipated in order to maximise the Bank Holiday weekend,” Maguire told MCV. “In terms of demand, we expect this to increase.
“Currently we have titles ranging from the Pixel Junk series and Siren Blood Curse, to Gran Turismo Prologue and Warhawk all available within the PlayStation Store – and looking ahead we have much to look forward to, with releases such as Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty and SOCOM Confrontation amongst others.
“Similarly, many of our upcoming Blu-Ray releases feature DLC and, with the importance of such content increasing with the releases of games such as LittleBigPlanet, we wanted to give consumers more hard drive space.
“Of course, for the hardcore users who need even more space, we are still very proud to offer the only gaming console with an easily removable hard drive – giving consumers the option to upgrade their memory as and when needed.”
MCVUK
8/22/2008
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan announces today that it has partnered with the world's largest global WiFi community FON to roll out FON access points for a free internet browser via the PSPxFON collaborative service. Starting today, there are approximately 44,000 FON spots across the country and something like 2,200 in Tokyo alone. Via the service, it's easy to connect PSPs to download game demos, clips, wallpaper and the like. To mark the beginning of the service, there are downloadable goodies for upcoming PSP title DISSIDIA.
Kotaku
Looking forward to the 160GB PS3? Then we hope you are not in Australia, for you will not be getting the configuration. Though the new 80GB configuration is still headed your way on August 28th for AU $699, which includes a single DualShock 3 controller.
Now onto the good news: the wireless keypad attachment has been confirmed to debut "before the end of the year." PlayTV is also confirmed for Australia in the "first half of 2009." Though with the recent reduction in features, we wonder if you guys Down Under still want the DVB-T tuner peripheral.
PS3FANBOY
8/21/2008
Those of you looking to upgrade your existing PSP to a PSP 3000 this October, prepare yourself - the console will only be available to buy in a package bundled with software.
Speaking to us.playstation.com SCEE President David Reeves broke the news that those of you looking to pick one up at launch will be forced to buy some software with it.
“We’re going to introduce PSP-3000 in October, and this will be sold initially as part of a bundle, with a piece of software. During this period, PSP-2000 will remain as the base PSP model.”
SCEE confirmed that the PSP 3000 will only be available to purchase in a bundle packaged with either FIFA 09, Buzz! Master Quiz or Harry Potter. Part of us wonders whether the bundle will be used to justify the 30 Euro price-hike over the existing model.
PSP 3000 was announced at GC yesterday sporting an improved screen and in-built microphone.
D+Pad
One of the biggest pieces of news that came out of Sony's press conference at Leipzig yesterday was the announcement of the PSP-3000. At the time, they didn't provide any release details, although SCEA confirmed special bundles for the U.S. for October 14. And now, with this news from SCEJ, we should be looking at a worldwide simultaneous release.
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has stepped forward and delivered their information, so let's take a look at that. First of all, they remind us of all the new features you will receive with the freshly revamped PSP: despite retaining the same design, the display has been improved with "higher contrast, higher color depth, and faster response time." Anti-reflection technology is going to assist in playing games outside, and the unit will boast a built-in microphone, Skype compatibility, and a new update for the video-out functionality. Before, the PSP was only able to play its games on a progressive TV screen, but this overhaul will allow those games to play on standard analogue TVs as well. Now, onto those release details. The PSP-3000 will become available in Japan in October, and in three designer colors: Piano Black, Pearl White, and Mystic Silver.
We're not sure if North America will see the new PSP - in standalone fashion - at the same time, but we certainly should. With those North American bundles coming on the 14th of October, it seems we're looking at a worldwide simultaneous launch of the PSP-3000. Sweet!
PS3Extreme
8/20/2008
It's not like Sony could really keep this thing under wraps for much longer, but the company finally did the deed by announcing the PSP-3000 at the Leipzig Games Convention. The unit itself will look exactly like the PSP-2000, though it will feature an "improved screen that's better outside with no glare and a built-in mic." The juicy tidbits have yet to surface, but we are told to expect the new handheld in Europe for €199 ($291) on October 15th.
Engadget
It looks like the 80GB Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle really was "limited edition." The $499 bundle has been deleted from the Wal-Mart databases, to make way for the 80GB Core and upcoming 160GB Uncharted pack. Considering the current MGS4 pack is the only system to support PS2 backwards compatibility, this may be your last chance to get your hands on a PS3 that can play PS2 games. Neither the current $399 80GB Core nor the upcoming $499 160GB bundle will support PS2 games at all.
Stay tuned for Sony's official response.
PS3FANBOY
The 160GB model announced at Leipzig today will also be coming to America in a new bundle featuring last year's blockbuster PS3 exclusive, Uncharted. For $499, the 160GB system will include the new 160GB system, a DUALSHOCK 3 controller, a voucher for PAIN and a copy of Uncharted. It will be available in November.
"As PLAYSTATION Network continues to evolve with our recently launched video delivery service and more exclusive games, PS3 owners are demanding more storage capacity," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. "Consumers also are utilizing PS3 as an entertainment hub for their digital media, placing content such as their entire music collection on the hard drive. The 160GB PS3 system addresses this growing consumer demand in a compelling bundle that delivers significant value."
PS3FANBOY
A new peripheral for the PS3 has just been announced at Leipzig. A wireless keypad is similar to Xbox 360's current chatpad, but it will connect to the controller through the top USB port. The chatpad will also enable "touchpad mode for mouse input." A picture of the keypad attached to a controller, after the jump.
Equipped with Bluetooth(R) functionality, the Wireless Keypad can be paired to PS3 by simply connecting the keypad to the USB cable that comes bundled with the PS3 system. Also, two shortcut buttons, a Communication Button and a Message Box Button, are placed on the lower part of the Wireless Keypad, enabling users to jump to pre-set features on XMB(TM) (XrossMediaBar) such as "Friends" and "Message Box" during game play, which help PS3 users to smoothly communicate with each other. Additionally, a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily maneuver the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface.
PS3Fanboy
8/19/2008
Even tho they are not supposed to "officially" go on sale until the end of August, it seems evident that many retailers are stocking their store shelves with the new 80
GB Core Packs. These systems, that will set you back $399, offer an upgraded version of the previous 40GB system: a larger hard drive and a DualShock 3 controller. It does not provide any backwards compatibility meaning that it will no longer play any PS2 games; lame eh! Various tipsters and sources point out that the new 80GB are already on the store shelves as seen in the picture above.
If the 80GB Core packs are in stock that means that two current PS3 SKUs both feature 80GB hard drives are available. The old one will cost you a bit more money at $499, but comes with the highly acclaimed stealth action game Metal Gear Solid 4 which also comes dualshock controller and has backward compatibility; a better deal overall in my opinion.
Update: Word has reached us from our friends at PS3Fanboy. A SCEA rep de Leon told them that "Shipments of the new 80GB PS3 started this week, and retailers can sell them as they receive the inventory." If your local store has the new 80GB system, they're allowed to sell it immediately.
8/18/2008
Remember back around Christmas, when we were promised a Rock Band patch which would allow people to use Guitar Hero III controllers? You know, the patch which was going to allow PS3 owners the same features as the Xbox 360 version? Sure, it never appeared, but it seems that Sony is making sure that such a thing never happens again. Michael Shorrock, director of 3rd party relations, has posted up some info on the PlayStation.Blog stating that Rock Revolution, Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour's instruments will all be compatible with each other.
Not only that, but Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2 will support SingStar microphones. This is great for those of us who are interested in picking up all of these games, but are a little less interested in having our living rooms full of plastic drum sets and guitars. The good news doesn't end there, though. That patch we mentioned at the beginning of this post may still see the light of day. Shorrock says they're "still working hard to ensure compatibility between the Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles currently on the market, and we hope to have an announcement on that shortly."
Thanks to Sony for pre-emptively solving what could have been a very messy Christmas. Universal peripheral compatability just makes so much sense. Now comes the hard decision. Which game's instruments look best?
PS3FANBOY
Despite the golden word of SCEE boss David Reeves, European online retailers are listing release dates for the new 80GB PS3s a week ahead of schedule. That means -- while the SKU was previously announced for an August 27 launch date -- online retailers such as Amazon UK and GAME suggest, nay confirm, that the new units will arrive this Friday, August 22. With Games Convention 2008 happening in Leipzig this week, an announcement regarding the early release is expected.
PS3FANBOY
8/15/2008
Everyone seems to be getting in on the new 80GB SKUs, including the Aussies. These new units, dubbed the new "core pack" set to replace the current 40GB machines, will feature double the storage space at no additional cost. Sony Australia confirms that the core pack is coming to Australia on August 28 and will retail for AUS$699.
The same pack will be available in North America this September and Europe on August 27. As a reminder, the units come with a DualShock 3 and the same functionality as the 40GB units -- namely 2 USB slots, no memory card readers, and no PS2 backwards compatibility.
PS3FANBOY
8/09/2008
Recently announced at E3, the 80GB PlayStation 3 finally has a release date in the UK, 29th August 2008, and will presumably be the same date across Europe. The new 80GB model will phase out the now older 40GB model while sharing the same features (or lack of) at the same price.
The PlayStation 3 80GB model does NOT feature:
* Backwards Compatibility with PS2 Games
* Memory Stick Card Readers
* SACD Playback
* Ethernet Cable
* 4 USB Ports, (The PS3 80GB model features 2)
It is also being bundled with a DualShock 3 rather than a SIXAXIS too, so if you were considering buying a PS3 then hold out just a little longer and grab yourself a great deal, and with the new platinum range which has just been released you'll be able to pick up some get PS3 titles for a decent price.
PSBEYOND
7/29/2008
14.4 million PS3s sold as of June 30, 2008. SONY's gaming division makes profit of 51 million dollars for the Q1,2008
SONY has released their fiscal earnings figures today. According to their
earnings report around 1.56m ps3s were sold in the first quarter of 2008 taking the total tally to 14.4m. In comparison just 700,000 ps3s were sold in Q1 of last year.
SONY's gaming division made a profit of 51 million dollars for the quarter ending June 30th , 2008.
Note: To read more about Sony's fiscal earnings click here.
N4G
7/22/2008
A new PS3 SKU will go to sale in Europe on August 27th. Already, the effects of the newly announced 80GB Core model has been affecting the sales stream of the 40GB model. According to HMV's commercial manager for games, stock of the 40GB model is dwindling as retailers prepare for the newly upgraded model. For those interested in picking up a PS3, it appears waiting for the 80GB model next month would be the wise choice.
"40GB stock has been in very short supply over the last few weeks ... PlayStation 3 will now boast a monopoly on Blu-ray, increased storage space and Play TV in the near future," Jonathan Hayes noted. "All this points to a stronger proposition for Sony going into Christmas. The only disappointment was the lack of backward compatibility compared to the US version."
PS3Fanboy
7/20/2008
On our recent post about the new PlayTV, one of Product Reviews readers asked if the new announced 80gb Sony PS3 will have rear USB slots as the current 40gb model doesn’t have any at the rear.
They did not want the PlayTV sticking out at the front of the Playstation 3, after a little research we cannot confirm if they will be back or front, but it does not look good from what we read on Stuff.
The 80GB will come with the same feature set as the pared down model. So limited USB connectivity and no backwards compatibility with PS2 games.
If that’s true then we could expect nearly everything to be the same, including the USB ports. This will affect buyer’s decisions when looking at the PlayTV.
The new 80GB PS3 will be coming to the UK on August 27th and it’s a good deal at £299, the same price as the 40GB model. Looks like things will pretty much be the same, apart from the extra 40GB.
Would you prefer improved USB connections and a better position on the PS3?
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