Slimpocalypse Now - Sony's GamesCom Press Conference

[Queasy]

Joystiq has a gallery of PS3 Slim images.
Same features and functionality.
120GB HDD
33% smaller
36% lighter
34% less energy usage

$299.99 for all models new and current (160 GB HDD too?)

NO Backwards compatibility.

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PLAYSTATION 3 FIRMWARE 3.0 UPDATE - Video in Link

Hi everyone, PlayStation 3 (PS3) firmware update (v3.00) adds a number of great new features that we?re excited to share with you. The latest update incorporates changes that improve navigation on your PS3. First, you?ll notice some cosmetic changes to the design of the XMB (Xross Media Bar). We?ve enhanced the look and feel of the XMB so that it?s easier and even more intuitive to use. We?ve also added network improvements and personalization options to help enhance your PS3 experience.

Additional highlights from update 3.00 include:

* ?What?s New? ? The ?Information Board? will be replaced with a ?What?s New? section, which allows you to enjoy interactive PlayStation news every time you start the PS3 system. Located under the PlayStation Network icon, ?What?s New? displays the latest and greatest game, video, PlayStation Network and PlayStation news and releases, as well as your recently played games, in a sleek, new animated format.
* Status Indicator ? In the top right corner we?ve added an indicator bar, which displays your user icon, friend icon, the number of friends you have online and a small message icon to let you know if you have any new messages. The indicator also includes a scrolling ticker that features the latest news from PlayStation Network. In addition, when you press the PS button, the battery life indicator will no longer cover up the clock.
* Friends List ? Now your PlayStation Network friends will appear in a slightly redesigned format on your Friends List. Also, messages will now be viewable from each of your friends? respective profiles.
* PlayStation Store Shortcuts ? We?ve added a handy shortcut icon to the PlayStation Store under both the Game and Video categories so you can access the latest content quickly and easily.
* Personalization ? Personalize your PS3 with new dynamic custom themes and avatars. Dynamic themes as well as free and premium avatars will be available through PlayStation Store. A dynamic theme takes your screen to a whole new level as it incorporates animated objects into the background.
* Trophies ? Showcasing your hard earned trophies just got better. Update 3.00 gives game developers the ability to modify how they display trophies for add-on content. Base and add-on game trophies will continue to be combined into a single list so you can see where you stand in a game as a whole. Within that list, trophies will be broken out into subcategories?base trophies and add-on trophies?that way, you can easily view the percentage of your base game trophy collection, and separately track your trophy progress in add-on packs. Look for this enhancement to be included in upcoming games.

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Just a heads up that Sony's 3 hour long extravaganza begins in a couple of hours. (erroneously listed 10AM as the start time of the press conference. It is 12:30PM EST.)

Kmart is already advertising a "New Low Price & New Exciting Playstation 3" prominently on their front page.

Live Blogs
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Kotaku
Joystiq
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News
PSN going down during Press Conference
Home getting an engine upgrade?

 

[BenSkywalker]

KMart updated their site, available for pre order, $299 and shipping 8-24.

Edit- 120GB HD

Hmm, the one I see on KMart's site is listed as PS3 Slim presell 2, don't know if that means they will keep the dual price strategy and have a higher end model also, or if it's just a random place holder.

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

Nice, $300 120GB PS3 Slim. Hopefully this helps Sony's sales numbers leading up to the holiday season.

 

[Sadaiyappan]

Hate to dissapoint, but it's not three hours. Sony confirmed later on that it was only one hour but there must have been some confusion because they are giving a half an hour before and after for all the reporters to sit down and leave.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

300 dollar ps3 slim = instant buy for me.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Hey anandtech. I have a dilema. Should I buy a pspgo for 250 or PS3 for 299? I really can't decide

I'll list the pros of each.

PS3 slim =
120 gb HD
bluray
console games

PSPgo =
smaller screen so it can fit in your pocket better.
Cramped buttons to minimize the profile.
Downloadable games only. No need to buy used or sell your old games to recoup some funds.
Same insides as the regular psp that is much cheaper.

Please help, I don't know what to do!

 

[BenSkywalker]

The PSPGo looks like a strong media device, a complete POS as a gaming platform as it has been all along. I'm actually very interested in the PSPGo, but mainly as a replacement to my iPod, not as anything that is going to knock off the DS from my portable gaming system of choice.

Which way are you leaning towards and what gaming platforms do you already have?

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
Hey anandtech. I have a dilema. Should I buy a pspgo for 250 or PS3 for 299? I really can't decide

I'll list the pros of each.

PS3 slim =
120 gb HD
bluray
console games

PSPgo =
smaller screen so it can fit in your pocket better.
Cramped buttons to minimize the profile.
Downloadable games only. No need to buy used or sell your old games to recoup some funds.
Same insides as the regular psp that is much cheaper.

Please help, I don't know what to do!

If this isn't a joke, get the PS3 Slim.

 

[Queasy]

LOL...I thought it was obvious it was a joke.

 

[Trader05]

Sweet....

bl4ckfl4g, tough choice! Im really not a fan of portable gaming, but the PSPgo looks good :thumbsdown:. If you have a 360 already, you just have to weigh in if you want Bluray and like the PS3 exclusives.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Lol I'm just trollin the pspgo this morning. It must be to early.

But seriously, they gotta change the price on it now right?

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
Hey anandtech. I have a dilema. Should I buy a pspgo for 250 or PS3 for 299? I really can't decide

I'll list the pros of each.

PS3 slim =
120 gb HD
bluray
console games

PSPgo =
smaller screen so it can fit in your pocket better.
Cramped buttons to minimize the profile.
Downloadable games only. No need to buy used or sell your old games to recoup some funds.
Same insides as the regular psp that is much cheaper.

Please help, I don't know what to do!

Heh...good one. Why, the choice is obvious! You need to go with the smaller screen, cramped buttons, DRMed-up digital games and the same innards that can be found on a much cheaper model.



As for the PS3 slim, meh. All PS3s have failed since they removed the PS2 BC completely from them. I have an 80 GB MGS4 bundle PS3 that suits me just fine, though I would have preferred a launch 60 GB...

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
But seriously, they gotta change the price on it now right?

I don't know about the PSPGo but a 120GB PS3 at $300 is now a better value than a $300 360 Elite. MS should have dropped it down to to $250.

 

[erwos]

Hey, to be fair, the PSP Go has Bluetooth and 16GB of flash. That's a real improvement over the PSP-3k.

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
The PSPGo looks like a strong media device, a complete POS as a gaming platform as it has been all along. I'm actually very interested in the PSPGo, but mainly as a replacement to my iPod, not as anything that is going to knock off the DS from my portable gaming system of choice.

Unless they radically altered the media interfaces on it, don't bother. The fact that it CAN play music doesn't isn't the same as it being GOOD at doing so.

It's funny that you dismiss the gaming aspect, though - there's a lot of excellent games on the PSP these days. I use mine more than my DS. Not to mention the whole PS1 emulator thing, which is awesome if you put custom firmware on.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
But seriously, they gotta change the price on it now right?

I don't know about the PSPGo but a 120GB PS3 at $300 is now a better value than a $300 360 Elite. MS should have dropped it down to to $250.

There is still time for Microsoft to say, "The $300 announcement for the XBOX 360 Elite was a premature leak of a press release. The actual price will drop to $250."



Overall, I'd agree, since the included Blu-ray and WiFi in the PS3 are an excellent value, even if I prefer the XBOX 360 controller, games and XBOX Live. The WiFi adapter for the 360 is still $100 (WTF?!), and you can't get Blu-Ray for the 360 (yet).

 

[BenSkywalker]

There is still time for Microsoft to say, "The $300 announcement for the XBOX 360 Elite was a premature leak of a press release. The actual price will drop to $250."

I think that will say a lot about where MS sees their market position. I think having the Elite at $250 is reasonable compared to the Slim at $300, but if they feel they can best Sony at the same price point, I'm sure they will try and do it. I think even if they do hit $250 they are likely still going to lose some ground in terms of marketshare, even at $250 the price of entry hasn't changed, just a much better value then where they were at $250.

Unless they radically altered the media interfaces on it, don't bother. The fact that it CAN play music doesn't isn't the same as it being GOOD at doing so.

I already had a PSP, and it was better at playing music then the iPod IMO(WMA support is still key in portables for me). I have to butcher the fidelity to get a file that will play on the iPod, PSP not so much(still a clear drop from WMA-L pumping through the Senn 580s, but carrying a portable amp is a bit outside of reasonable for my uses). I ditched the PSP I had as it was too big and cumbersome and the limitations of memory available at the time for it(in terms of using it as a media device), the Go fixes much everything I wanted in terms of a portable media device. I'll have to check it out along with the ZuneHD first, but it certainly is the media capabilities that has me interested. As far as emulation, games aren't still forcing firmware updates on a regular basis?

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

Curious to see what all the rumors about new PS2 BC in the PS3 will amount to, if anything. It would be pretty awesome if they announced that the PS3 Slim is like 90% BC with their PS2 library. I have 2 60GB launch PS3s already, but this would be totally exciting for people who are still sitting on their PS2 waiting to upgrade.

 

[BenSkywalker]

I've packed up my PS2, a while ago actually, if the BC rumor were true(which I don't think it is btw) I'd likely jump right into some DQ8

 

[darkrisen2003]

Jesus if they place BC into the slim as well as the price cutt im sold. Im sure tons of people would be as well which would be good for sony.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
Lol I'm just trollin the pspgo this morning. It must be to early.

But seriously, they gotta change the price on it now right?

:laugh: @ PSPgo

one would think they would. I mean... seriously, 299 or 249, and that big of a product difference?
Sony must not of realized how a PSPgo would be viewed, because they chose to release it at 249, and they knew a 299 PS3 was on the way.

Sony thought too much of the PSPgo - like it was something revolutionary.
To be fair - including 16gb flash storage adds to the cost, and look at how much 16gb MP3 players cost. So one can see both sides of the price. But for a PSP, it's just wrong. Hopefully they announce it'll be cheaper.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
I already had a PSP, and it was better at playing music then the iPod IMO(WMA support is still key in portables for me). I have to butcher the fidelity to get a file that will play on the iPod, PSP not so much(still a clear drop from WMA-L pumping through the Senn 580s, but carrying a portable amp is a bit outside of reasonable for my uses). I ditched the PSP I had as it was too big and cumbersome and the limitations of memory available at the time for it(in terms of using it as a media device), the Go fixes much everything I wanted in terms of a portable media device. I'll have to check it out along with the ZuneHD first, but it certainly is the media capabilities that has me interested.

That's fair enough - I think you're right that the smaller size will make it more of an option. I just see the lack of buttons in "compact mode" as being inconvenient when you want to switch to a new podcast or album.

I currently use a Zune, and I'm very happy with it - audio quality is excellent compared to the iPod, and it plays WMA-L out of the box. I'm definitely looking forward to upgrading to a Zune HD when it comes out, assuming there's no deal-killers. (And, on a side note, I don't know why WMA-L doesn't get more credit - it's a superb format.)

As far as emulation, games aren't still forcing firmware updates on a regular basis?

Not as far as I can tell. I think CFW is up to 5.50 or so these days, so it's more or less caught up. The PSP is a superb emulator platform once you crack it, especially for portable titles (GB, GBA, etc.).

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
Lol I'm just trollin the pspgo this morning. It must be to early.

But seriously, they gotta change the price on it now right?

:laugh: @ PSPgo

one would think they would. I mean... seriously, 299 or 249, and that big of a product difference?
Sony must not of realized how a PSPgo would be viewed, because they chose to release it at 249, and they knew a 299 PS3 was on the way.

Sony thought too much of the PSPgo - like it was something revolutionary.
To be fair - including 16gb flash storage adds to the cost, and look at how much 16gb MP3 players cost. So one can see both sides of the price. But for a PSP, it's just wrong. Hopefully they announce it'll be cheaper.

I think it was clear what Sony is doing with the PSPGo based on (I think it was) their EU CEO's statements. He essentially said that the $250 price is an early adopter tax. They are going to get all they can out of the early adopters with a premium price and then drop the price of the PSPGo.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
But seriously, they gotta change the price on it now right?

I don't know about the PSPGo but a 120GB PS3 at $300 is now a better value than a $300 360 Elite. MS should have dropped it down to to $250.

Yeah I agree. They both have to drop. How can you have the PSPgo at 250.00 now.

Also, for anyone that doesn't have a ton of friends on XBL and that don't have either console. PS3 now definitely looks better. Don't get me wrong, I have 40 X360 games and my whole family and all my friends are on XBL so I prefer it and will continue to get most of my games on it but I will definitely buy one of these in Sep. if I can scam the wife out of some money. Tired of hooking up my laptop to my tv when I want to play Bluray movie + all the PSN and Sony exclusive goodness.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
I already had a PSP, and it was better at playing music then the iPod IMO(WMA support is still key in portables for me). I have to butcher the fidelity to get a file that will play on the iPod, PSP not so much(still a clear drop from WMA-L pumping through the Senn 580s, but carrying a portable amp is a bit outside of reasonable for my uses). I ditched the PSP I had as it was too big and cumbersome and the limitations of memory available at the time for it(in terms of using it as a media device), the Go fixes much everything I wanted in terms of a portable media device. I'll have to check it out along with the ZuneHD first, but it certainly is the media capabilities that has me interested.

That's fair enough - I think you're right that the smaller size will make it more of an option. I just see the lack of buttons in "compact mode" as being inconvenient when you want to switch to a new podcast or album.

I currently use a Zune, and I'm very happy with it - audio quality is excellent compared to the iPod, and it plays WMA-L out of the box. I'm definitely looking forward to upgrading to a Zune HD when it comes out, assuming there's no deal-killers. (And, on a side note, I don't know why WMA-L doesn't get more credit - it's a superb format.)

As far as emulation, games aren't still forcing firmware updates on a regular basis?

Not as far as I can tell. I think CFW is up to 5.50 or so these days, so it's more or less caught up. The PSP is a superb emulator platform once you crack it, especially for portable titles (GB, GBA, etc.).

They'll need to find a new way to hack it cuz the battery is different.

 

[BenSkywalker]

Sony must not of realized how a PSPgo would be viewed, because they chose to release it at 249, and they knew a 299 PS3 was on the way.

They are putting it up against the ZuneHD and iPodTouch. While I think it destroys the iPodTouch at $249, not sure about the ZuneHD. I think putting it head to head with the DS is a battle they can't hope to win, pushing into a market against MS/Apple's media devices it starts looking a lot better(not because of value but due to the market it competes in). In order to pull this off they will need an appropriate marketting push, getting the PSP off the shelves next to the PS3 and next to the Zunes and iPods would help that out a lot.

I currently use a Zune, and I'm very happy with it - audio quality is excellent compared to the iPod, and you can even make it play WMA-L.

My wife has a Zune, way better then my iPod(by a staggering amount IMO). Audio quality, interface, battery life, really everything is better then the iPod in every way. I will be checking out the ZuneHD and PSPGo before making my choice, but it is certainly between those two atm.