gadgetPhreak Gadget News Blog. Futuristic Gadgets and Portable Electronics

November 28, 2006

PS3 crime spree, part III: Rise of the righteous

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While selling a PS3 soon after launch day probably paid some hefty dividends for those lucky enough to secure one, pistol-whipping someone in order to make it happen probably isn’t worth the trouble. Apparently a cash-strapped (or completely crazed) Massachusetts duo couldn’t quite weigh the consequences before taking action, and are now under arrest for “attempted murder and robbery.” One gunman, William J. Robertson, is already being held under a $1 million (or about 600 to 700 properly eBayed PlayStation 3s, whichever you prefer) bond, while his 17-year old partner in attempted larceny remains “on the loose.” While we knew the PS3 launch would potentially bring out the worst in people, unloading ammunition to get your game (or profiteering) on is just taking things a bit too far — so while camping out weeks in advance for a next generation console may surely pay off in the short-term, we’d say pulling a criminal stunt to get one probably won’t.

 

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November 26, 2006

Hacking your way to a PS3

Filed under: Playstation3,Sony,fedora,free,hack,linux,playstation 3,ps3,website — Darren Murph @ 5:37 pm

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If you’re still on the hunt for a PS3 (and haven’t fell for one of those eBay scams just yet), here’s an alternate (and relatively safe) way to finally snag one of your own while earning some bragging rights to boot. If you’re not the savviest camper (or thief), but you’re packin’ the heat when it comes to programming skills, listen up — the “0wn a PS3 and own it” challenge is in full effect, and the one thing between you and a PS3 is a seemingly simple web hack. If you manage to replace the JPEG image (pictured above) on the linked website while abiding by the site rules (no DOS attacks, etc.), you become the proud owner of a modified PS3 which sports a 160GB hard drive, HDMI cable, Fedora Linux pre-installed, and a free game for when you’re not tinkering around in the OS. The site is reportedly running on this very PlayStation 3, loaded up with Fedora Linux and a presumed heavy amount of security around the said picture. So, what are you waiting for? Hit the read link and get to work, because you’ve only got until “the beginning of January 2007″ to pull it off.

[Via Digg]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

November 25, 2006

Get your skins on: Wii, PS3, Zune, Xbox 360, PSP

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Cookie cutter gadget? Passe. It’s all about skins, even the kind that may or may not ruin the shiny new finish on your valued consumer electronics. Submitted for your approval: tons of skins for your rare and lustworthy devices. Ok, so the 360 isn’t much of a skin, but we find the literal use of the term rather amusing, and when was the last time you saw a fake-fur faceplate?

P.S. -Big ups on the Xbox 360 and Eames-inspired PS3 and Wii skins above.

[Via Joystiq, thanks Craig]

Read – PS3 skins
Read – Wii skins
Read – Zune skins
Read – PSP, Xbox, etc. “skins”

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Sony retracts 1080i fix statement, leaving customers in lurch

Filed under: 1080i,1080i issue,1080iIssue,Playstation3,Sony,bug,playstation 3,ps3 — Ryan Block @ 4:07 pm

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All you owners of HDTVs that can only do 1080i, we’ve got some bad news for you. Sony Computer Entertainment America’s head honcho of Corporate communications, David Karraker, apparently retracted — or at least backtracked — on Sony’s previous statements about the increasingly infamous 1080i issue (the one that won’t let PS3s play games at 1080i on HDTVs that don’t support 720p). According to GameDaily, Sony cannot actually confirm this issue can be fixed via a firmware patch (although they’re not denying it, either), and that they are “looking into the issue and haven’t stated any actions that will be taken regarding it.”

[Thanks, Matt]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

November 21, 2006

Sony, Nintendo get official, unofficial sneakers

Filed under: Nike,Nintendo,Playstation3,Sony,kicks,playstation 3,shoes,sneakers,sneaks — Donald Melanson @ 10:13 pm

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While neither can match the simple geek elegance of street artist Invader’s Space Invader-themed kicks, Nintendo and Sony fanboys now have some sneakers of their own to covet, although both look to be harder to get your hands on than a Wii or PS3. Sony’s the only one of the two to get official with its sneaks, partnering with Nike for some PlayStation 3-themed footwear (at least that’s what they’re sayin’ — from the looks of it, Nike may have just taken the opportunity to unload some rejected designs.) Only 24 pairs of the PS3 sneaks were made, with most no doubt spoken for by now. You won’t fare any better with the Nintendo shoes, however; these stylish but apparently non-functional kicks being strictly one of a kind, created by an talented sneaker artist for a recent Sneakerpimps event in Baltimore.

ReadSole Collector, “First Look at PlayStation 3 Kicks” [Via Hypebeast]
ReadFormat Magazine, “Sneakerpimps Customs” [Via DS Fanboy]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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November 19, 2006

Boston’s mayor to bill Sony for mayhem at Copley Plaza

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As if Sony wasn’t losing enough coin on each PlayStation 3 sold fought over, now it’ll probably be invoiced for the police services that were required to maintain peace at Copley Plaza. While criminal activities weren’t hard to come by on the PS3′s launch night, there was apparently a smart way to handle the mobs of unruly potential customers, and then there was Sony’s way. Rather than planning for an organized flow of individuals, or better yet, turning away those who would end up empty handed anyway, nearly 500 eager (and likely delusional) individuals rushed the doors of Boston’s Sony Style, creating chaos that required “12 police cruisers” in order to halt the riot. None too pleased, the mayor (Thomas Menino) plans on “billing the company for crowd control,” although he failed to mention exactly how much those boys in blue charge per hour to fend off fanatical hopefuls.

[Via Joystiq]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

November 16, 2006

PS3 crime spree!

Filed under: Crime,Playstation3,Sony,playstation 3,ps3,steal — Ryan Block @ 11:21 pm

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We you know y’all want your damn PlayStation 3, but really, violence isn’t the answer. Unless it’s virtual violence, but no one’s set up a multiplayer match where the winner lands a PS3, or unlocked the Hot Coffee 2 mod that enables you to drive-by people standing in lines. But we have had eye-witness reports of depraved gamer violence; our own Boy Genius let us know he personally witnessed what came “close to a riot” at his local Circuit City. Waseem from Michigan told us how his local Best Buy kicked everyone out of line at 2.30AM this morning in the 30-degree weather, just to have people converge and duke it out for their same spot at 8:00AM. Like, literally fight. Seriously everybody, keep it clean, keep it real. It’s just a damned video game console.

P.S. -If you’ve seen any more incidents in the news or in person, please let us know!

Update: We take it back, you want to be violent about the PS3? We’ve got a target for you: none other than former Senator and Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards. First his son makes fun of other, less privileged children for buying their shoes at Wal-Mart (god forbid!), but then he has his aide call their local Wally and ask to cut in line to be assured a PS3. (Seriously, he’s not in office anymore, why the hell does he even need an aide?) Turning lemons into lemonade, Wal-Mart has issued a press release both praising Edwards’ selection for a retailer, and chiding his selfishness: “… and while the rest of America’s working families are waiting patiently in line, Senator Edwards wants to cut to the front. While, we cannot guarantee that Sen. Edwards will be among one of the first to obtain a PlayStation3, we are certain Sen. Edwards will be able to find great gifts for everyone on his Christmas list…” There, you want someone to riot on? You’ve got your man.

Read – Gunmen rob California store of PS3s in the nerdiest heist ever (ok, maybe the second nerdiest ever).
Read – 10 to 12 people robbed in PS3 line (dubious, but possible). [Via Digg]
Read – Sheriffs shut down another California store for rowdy behavior.
Read – Police break up NY SonyStyle store fight.
Read – Brawl breaks out at another Wally when manager plays musical PlayStation chairs. Seriously, what an idiot. [Thanks Kyle D.]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

PS3 doesn’t do 1080i?

Filed under: 1080i,1080p,Playstation3,Sony,crt,playstation 3,ps3,scaler — Richard Lawler @ 1:07 pm

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That’s what IGN has discovered in testing several PlayStation 3 games. Despite 1080p being “the true definition of HD“, most of the titles available are rendered internally at 1280 x 720 and scaled up accordingly… or at least that’s what should happen. On many older CRT HDTVs that only support 1080i input and not 720p, instead of scaling to the appropriate HD resolution, the PS3 goes back down to the positively Wii-like EDTV standard of 480p. The problem is confirmed to exist in Resistance: Fall of Man, Tiger Woods 07, Need for Speed Carbon and NHL 2K7 so far, but no word from Sony if this can or will be fixed in a downloadable update. The Xbox 360 scales to 1080i without a problem — although 1080p results may vary — if you’re not reading this from your place in line already be sure to check your HDTV’s manual for supported input resolutions before grabbing a lawn chair (and bulletproof vest).

[Thanks, Michael J.]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

November 12, 2006

PS3 disassembled on video

Filed under: Playstation3,Sony,disassembly,playstation 3,ps3 — Ryan Block @ 7:23 am

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We know you’re probably sick of hearing about gadget disassemblies, and we know we already hit up that one PlayStation 3 getting taken apart and everything. But, see, this Japanese site did it on video, and we have to tell you it’s extremely graphic and wonderful. And considering the fact that it takes two guys cumulatively nearly fifteen minutes to oh so ceremoniously pull this bad boy apart, it’s really no wonder Sony’s monster of a console will set you back a half a grand (or more).

P.S. -Be sure to hit up part three, that heat sink is one of the most elaborate and impressive we’ve ever seen.

[Thanks, Gustavo]

Watch – part 2
Watch – part 3
Watch – part 4

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

November 11, 2006

PlayStation 3 vs. Xbox 360 vs. Wii

Filed under: Nintendo,Playstation3,Sony,XBox,XBox 360,microsoft,playstation 3,ps3,wii,xbox360 — Ryan Block @ 12:58 am

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Well, here we are. 2006, and perhaps the last console launch of the decade. And here they are, all decked out n’ pretty. Go ahead, debate it. Just be nice, ok? At the end of the day the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, they’re only video game consoles, and we love our babies the same. Oh, catch some more flame-stoking conversation-inspiring pics after the break.

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

November 5, 2006

Some interesting facts about the PS3

Filed under: Playstation3,Sony,playstation,playstation 3,ps3 — Ryan Block @ 1:11 pm

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Even though we’re basically on the eve of Sony’s big launch of the PlayStation 3, we still had a few outstanding questions about some of the minutiae of the console. Yeah, we’re dorky sticklers for detail like that. So here are a few interesting facts about the PlayStation 3 you may (or may not) be interested in knowing:

  • After plenty of gameplay the console is cool — or at worst warm — to the touch on every surface. In a side by side test with the Xbox 360, the console is comparably virtually silent, and the Blu-ray drive is significantly quieter than the 360′s DVD drive.
  • USB keyboards and mice will be plug-n-play, no fuss at all. Who really wants to browse the web with a PlayStation controller anyway?
  • Bluetooth mice and keyboards will not work with the system at launch.
  • Any (A2DP) Bluetooth headset should theoretically work with the system, though Sony will have a recommended hardware list.
  • The EyeToy is the only USB webcam that will work with the system. The original PS2 EyeToy should still work with the PS3.
  • There are currently no plans for VGA out on the PlayStation3.
  • The system will not support more than seven controllers.
  • There are currently no plans for a cheaper, wired version of the SIXAXIS.
  • With its media playback software one can have in-game custom soundtracks, as with the Xbox 360, Wii, etc.
  • Despite rumor, Sony insists the US is still officially targeted for a 400k unit launch; Japan is still set for a mere 80k. Sony execs are actually expecting an upturn in unit production before launch, so those numbers may actually go up.
  • Some titles have an option to install some amount of game data (in addition to saved data) to the drive. Genji can install 4GB worth of data to decrease load times (quoted to drop from 12-15 seconds down to 3-4); this game data can be removed at any time without affecting your saved games.
  • The drive can be upgraded, although not on any official basis (read: YMMV, do so at your own risk, you may void warranty, etc.).
  • You cannot leave voice or picture messages for other users on the PlayStation Network, only text.

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

October 17, 2006

Yellow Dog Linux 5.0 to run on Sony’s PlayStation 3

Filed under: Playstation3,Sony,YellowDogLinux,linux,os,playstation,ps3,ydl,yellow dog linux — Darren Murph @ 11:55 am

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Sony’s Kutaragi gave the rumor mill plenty of fodder by speculating that multiple operating systems were being mulled over for use in the PlayStation 3, and eventually Sony posted an article confirming its interest in both OS X and Linux options. Now it appears that we just might have a winner. Terra Soft’s website proudly displays that the forthcoming version of Yellow Dog Linux “supports the PlayStation 3 console,” and leaves hints that we might see a few sweet video demonstrations in the near future. While intricate details about the the OS’s compatibility with the sure-to-be-scarce console are still few and far between, we’re expecting it to drop “in mid-November” to presumably coincide with the November PS3 launch dates — but at least pulling strings to get your name on a less-than-assuring pre-order list probably won’t be necessary here.

[Thanks, Clint]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

October 12, 2006

Europe to suffer another PS3 delay?

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This whole PS3 delay game has really become something of an amusing sideshow at this point: after so much bad press concerning nearly every single aspect of the console, you’d think that Sony would do everything possible to ensure that things run smoothly from here until launch, and yet word on the street is that Europe may be victim to still another postponement. It should be noted we have no independent confirmation of the following information, but Spanish gaming site MeriStation is reporting that Ken Kutaragi recently admitted that supply problems for Japan and North America could force the European PS3 launch to be delayed until May — which would mean that Japanese and American consumers might have their systems nearly six months before the eager gamers in the rest of the world. Now keep in mind that Kutaragi also supposedly said that Sony has not modified its European launch plans at this time, so right now we’re only looking at a “what if” scenario. Still, this rollout has been plagued with nothing but problems since day one, and as much as we’d like to see Sony pull this one off considering the shaky condition it’s currently in, we’re starting to think that these little issues and public gaffes may add up to big problems.

[Thanks, Mercenary]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

October 1, 2006

First Sony PlayStation 3 in-store kiosk spotted!

Filed under: Playstation3,Sony,playstation,playstation 3 — Ryan Block @ 4:15 pm

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Sony, you’re really, REALLY not doing anything to help the perception that the PS3 is a large, overblown, intimidating monolith of a game console. And yes, we still want one.

[Thanks, Iboro Ekpo]

 

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.

September 21, 2006

PlayStation 3 and packaging spotted in the wild

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Oh deary us, pictures of the PlayStation 3 before it’s launched? Looks a lot like some Sony dudes setting up at TGS when these were snapped, we can’t imagine anywhere else in the world right now that would require such a setup. So what if we want our cake (Wii), and to eat it too (PS3) — we could live with all three next-gen consoles.

[Thanks, Iboro Ekpo]

 

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.

September 7, 2006

Microsoft and Nintendo talk trash about Sony delay

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Actually, the headline that would more accurately reflect the situation would read something like “Microsoft talks trash about Sony delay; Nintendo respectfully reinforces its own launch goals,” but headlines like those don’t sell RSS subscriptions. After hearing about Sony’s weak launch quantity and global delays, Microsoft came out woodwork with a bit of backhanded sympathy (laced, of course, with some low blows): “We know how challenging it is to pull off a global launch, so it’s not surprising that Sony has backed away from their previously announced launch plan, due to the unproven technology they are trying to pack in to their console.” The MS types also made sure everybody knew how much they care for the global gamer: “Europe remains a priority for us. That is why gamers have been able to experience Xbox 360 from day one, and why we’re confident we’re going to have a great Christmas – regardless of what competitors are or are not in the market.” Zing! Nintendo, however, merely reiterated their launch goals: “Wii is on track to ship in Q4, Nintendo plans to ship 6 million systems to retailers around the world between its launch in the fourth quarter of 2006 and the end of its fiscal year on March 31, 2007.” Nary a dis for Sony, but we’re sure they’ll catch the drift all the same.

[Thanks, AJ]

Read
– Microsoft talks trash
Read – Nintendo respectfully reinforces

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August 31, 2006

Are these the PS3 and Wii demo kiosks?

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As you’ve probably already discerned from the headline and the pictures themselves, the images above supposedly depict the demo kiosks that Sony and Nintendo will be setting up in retail locations to lure people into buying the PlayStation 3 and Wii, respectively. Since the photos are low-res, a little blurry, and of unknown origin, they have all the makings of a jolly good Internet hoax, but we’ll play along for now and assume that they’re the real deal. So, what new information can we glean about the upcoming consoles based on their respective kiosks? Well, by mounting the LCD so high, Sony is obviously targeting taller individuals with its marketing strategy, while Nintendo is going after the brainier crowd as evidenced by the lack of any informational pamphlets adorning its display. With all of this speculation swirling around, one thing is certain, though: tucked behind the Wii kiosk’s center column are a bevy of first aid kits, for the inevitable injuries that will occur when arm-swinging gamers collide with innocent passers-by in the impending blood baths sure to plague our favorite big box retailers.

[Via Joystiq]

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August 24, 2006

Huge PlayStation 3 shortages predicted, Sony stock sinks

Filed under: Playstation3,Sony,playstation 3,ps3,shortages,stock — Ryan Block @ 1:34 pm

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There’s been a lot of speculation that Sony won’t hit its PlayStation 3 launch targets for 2006 (which includes 2 million units at launch, and another 2 million units by the end of the year), but it sounds like they were dealt a pretty severe blow by Japanese brokerage Mitsubishi UJF Securities. The Japanese investment firm predicted major component shortages that would hamper sales by as much as a million units (trust us, that’s a lot of units), and lowered its rating, causing Sony’s stock to drop 3%. It’s a harsh day in the office for Hirai, Kutaragi, and Stringer, but there’s no doubt about it, and Sony’s once again going to have to seriously prove itself come this holiday season.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

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August 22, 2006

PlayStation 3: T-minus 3 months, not started manufacturing

Filed under: KazHirai,Playstation3,Sony,delay,interview,kaz hirai,playstation 3,ps3 — Ryan Block @ 3:12 am

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Pretty bold move, Hirai, to admit that you’re less than three months out from the global launch of what could be one of the most expensive propositions Sony has ever undertaken — and you haven’t even started manufacturing. According to Kaz, who recently spoke with GameSpot, Sony “haven’t started manufacturing yet. Some of [their] ops guys were actually just in China, and also in Japan just reviewing the [production] lines and everything else.” Oh, great, you’ve got two million units to whip up and you’re still in the review process. That’s over 660,000 units a month if they start, um, tomorrow. Look, we’re not saying it can’t be done, but unless the hefty price tag of the Blu-ray behemoth outstrips consumer interest, it seems like we could be in for some serious shortages come the holiday buying season.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

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August 17, 2006

PS3, Xbox 360 form truce for photo spread

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Sure, graphics and games may be all that are important to you when it comes to next-generation videogame consoles, but your spouse / significant other is probably even more concerned with how the device(s) will fit in to your home decor. Luckily for him / her, Games Radar got its hands on an exact wooden replica of the upcoming PS3 (straight from Sony, so you know it’s the real deal), and did a little comparative photo shoot with the Xbox 360 so all of us have some idea of what to expect. As you can see, Sony’s machine is living a lot larger than Microsoft’s offering, but with its all-black exterior, the PS3 might actually be less obtrusive sitting among the rest of the gear in your rack. As appreciative as we are to Games Radar for providing some perspective on the aesthetic merits / detriments of both systems, we still think they could have taken a page out of DocCRP’s book, and photographed the mockup next to every single object ever produced in the history of mankind. Oh well, maybe Doc just set the bar a little too high; keep reading for another angle, and then head over to GR for the rest of the *shudder* “pr0n”…

[Via Guardian Unlimited]

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August 6, 2006

PS3 needs adapter for PS2 memory cards?

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Give the PlayStation 3 your PlayStation or PlayStation 2 games, your original gray PSX controller, or the first dual shock from back in the late ’90s. But keep memory card to your damn self. Well, not really, but it does look like Sony will require an adapter on the PlayStation 3 to be able to read memory cards from previous PlayStation consoles, as specified by their site. Not, not really a big deal at all unless they act all, um, Sony on us and don’t bundle the adapter with the console. But we’ll give ‘em the benefit of the doubt though, as we wouldn’t want to unduly accuse them of preparing to gouge consumers on a yet-to-be-released console, right? Right, Sony? Ok, good, glad we’ve come to an understanding with one another.

[Via Joystiq]

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July 25, 2006

Sony Says UK Will Get Both PS3 Versions… eventually. Kinda.

Filed under: Playstation3,Sony,launch,playstation,playstation 3,ps3 — Ryan Block @ 1:59 am

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PS3 - Both version in the UK?Just when we were getting used to the idea that there would only be one PS3 available in the UK at launch — which is, admittedly, relatively easy for us to get used to being that we’ll see both versions — Sony UK’s David Wilson goes and tells GamesIndustry.biz that the UK will most likely (also) get both PS3 SKUs. He’s just not sure when. We would love to be able to tell you that you will have a choice in the UK come launch day, but, you know, we can’t. According to Wilson, Sony is in “a period of open consultation with retail and consumers to decide on the best way to approach the impending launches of both SKUs.” Still confused? So are we, but apparently this move is meant to reduce confusion. Right.

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July 20, 2006

PlayStation 3 delay meme part IX: are the delays over?

Filed under: Playstation3,asustek,delays,playstation,playstation 3,ps3 — Ryan Block @ 3:45 pm

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About the last thing Sony wants at this point is to see yet another disappointed PlayStation 3 delay meme post here on Engadget, which is why it’s heartening to hear — however uncorroborated — that Asustek (Sony’s supposed component partner in manufacturing PlayStation 3 motherboards) is said to be shipping 200,000 units per month now, and is ramping up to as many as 2m in October in preparations for that November launch. We have to voice a little skepticism though. No, not about the source of the information, but the causes of the delays. Despite Sony’s variety of problems developing the PS3, it was never the Cell or the console’s innards that seems primarily responsible for the delays to date; the finger we must point, dear readers, is to that Blu-ray drive, which has plagued product after product. Still, we have no way of proving the validity of the information to begin with, nor figures on these units or Asustek’s supposed ramp-up schedule, so anyone taking heed is apparently trusting the reportage of Chinese newspaper Commercial Times on this one.

[Thanks, CoreyTheGent]

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July 7, 2006

Apple logo appears on PlayStation 3 site

Filed under: Apple,Playstation3,Sony,logo,playstation 3,site — Ryan Block @ 2:15 pm

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So if you hadn’t already heard, when you hit the Sony PlayStation 3 home page you’re greeted with the usual requisite promo animation… and a momentary flash of the Apple logo (highlighted above). Seriously. Go check it out if you don’t believe us. So, what’s the deal? Well, our first inclination would be that it’s either a mistake, some misplaced watermark, or the designer who put this thing up was probably about to get fired so s/he decided to have a little fun. Trust us though, we definitely would put it past Sony to be all sly and leave us some clue about a possible Apple video game partnership — that just ain’t happening at this point. We’ll let you know as we learn more, but we doubt there’s any current cause for alarm; especially since our videogame lovin’ sister site Joystiq gave Sony’s PR peeps a call, and they were as surprised to discover this as we were.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: So from the sound of it Occam’s razor strikes again. Looks like that logo flashes when you author using a trial version of Apple’s Shake. So basically from what we can ascertain, Sony (or its ad agency) is too cheap to buy their people the full version of Shake, which goes for $500 list on Apple’s site. Tisk, tisk!

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June 13, 2006

Best Buy also has PS3 games for pre-order

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What, you thought Best Buy liked Nintendo better than Sony? Never one to play favorites (except to customers who buy those shady warranties), the big-box retail giant has also put some tantalizing PS3 titles up for pre-order to join the Wii games we saw the other day. Like the Wii listings, the PS3 titles also cite December 1st as a release date — probably just a placeholder — although the $60 prices are more in line with Xbox 360 games than the $50 Nintendo will be charging for its discs. Among the nine titles online are classic franchise sequels such as Resident Evil 5, Tekken 6, and Devil May Cry 4, along with Indiana Jones, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007, but the lack of details or screenshots on Best Buy’s site means you’re better off skipping the Read link and heading straight over to Joystiq if you have any interest in these games.

[Thanks, khrokon]

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