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They did not store the passwords in cleartext, from the PSN Blog:

"One other point to clarify is from this weekend’s press conference. While the passwords that were stored were not “encrypted,” they were transformed using a cryptographic hash function. There is a difference between these two types of security measures which is why we said the passwords had not been encrypted. But I want to be very clear that the passwords were not stored in our database in cleartext form. For a description of the difference between encryption and hashing, follow this link."

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/05/02/playstation-network-security-update/

You've quoted the Reuters article, but not the Sony statement.

The PlayStation blog and Sony's statement to The US House of Representatives can be found via the following links:

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/05/04/sonys-response-to-the-u-s-house-of-representatives/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/playstationblog/sets/72157626521862165/

Both make clear reference to the file placed on the server which bears the hallmarks of Anonymous, but neither statement "officially blames Anonymous" for the PSN hack.

So they know Anonymous DDOS'ed them, and Anonymous have admitted this too.

They also were attacked separately where the theft took place. They don't know if these groups were working together. They blame the latter on Anonymous too. How did they draw that final conclusion??

Sony’s Response to the U.S. House of Representatives:

We discovered that the intruders had planted a file on one of our Sony Online Entertainment servers named “Anonymous” with the words “We are Legion.”

"One other point to clarify is from this weekend’s press conference. While the passwords that were stored were not “encrypted,” they were transformed using a cryptographic hash function. There is a difference between these two types of security measures which is why we said the passwords had not been encrypted. But I want to be very clear that the passwords were not stored in our database in cleartext form. For a description of the difference between encryption and hashing, follow this link." Source: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/05/02/playstation-network-security-update/

Sony, I thought you said no CC numbers were exposed!

Q&A #1 for PlayStation Network and Qriocity Services

Q: Was my credit card data taken?
A: While all credit card information stored in our systems is encrypted and there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained.

It is interesting, as all "normal" PSN logins used for commenting on that blog expired last week. The cooking keeping them "logged in" to the blog had a 1 week expiration. I guess that only leaves Sony employees to be able to actually log in and comment.

wrong, that's the eu playstation blog and as you can see there is no comment there http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/05/01/some-playstation-network-and-qriocity-services-to-be-available-this-week/
the us version probably has a longer expiration date or maybe they don't expire at all, also sony itself warned about the cookie expiration ONLY on the eu blog http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/04/28/issue-with-leaving-comments/

It is interesting, as all "normal" PSN logins used for commenting on that blog expired last week. The cooking keeping them "logged in" to the blog had a 1 week expiration. I guess that only leaves Sony employees to be able to actually log in and comment.

wrong, that's the eu playstation blog and as you can see there is no comment there http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/05/01/some-playstation-network-and-qriocity-services-to-be-available-this-week/
the us version probably has a longer expiration date or maybe they don't expire at all, also sony itself warned about the cookie expiration ONLY on the eu blog http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/04/28/issue-with-leaving-comments/

They ALREADY provide you with credit monitoring, and free fraud alert:

http://us.playstation.com/support/answer/index.htm?a_id=2185

Sony was slow to respond, slow to inform consumers and failed to maintain security of the system.

However, they aren't being complete idiots about it.

Q: Was my personal data encrypted? A: All of the data was protected, and access was restricted both physically and through the perimeter and security of the network. The entire credit card table was encrypted and we have no evidence that credit card data was taken. The personal data table, which is a separate data set, was not encrypted, but was, of course, behind a very sophisticated security system that was breached in a malicious attack.

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/04/27/qa-1-for-playstation-network-and-qriocity-services/ It may be too early to file a lawsuit. He should of waited till actual damages occurred. I wouldn't be surprised if the passwords were also encrypted. Because such a scheme is week against a rainbow table attack. A good percentage of the 70 million accounts is going to have week passwords.

Q: Was my personal data encrypted? A: All of the data was protected, and access was restricted both physically and through the perimeter and security of the network. The entire credit card table was encrypted and we have no evidence that credit card data was taken. The personal data table, which is a separate data set, was not encrypted, but was, of course, behind a very sophisticated security system that was breached in a malicious attack.

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/04/27/qa-1-for-playstation-network-and-qriocity-services/

Actually I just got a notifaction from Sony abou this today.
And According to this http://vgn365.com/2011/04/26/psn-users-reporting-hundred-of-dollars-stolen-from-them/
The CC's are already in the wild.
I know Visa is aware of the issue. They have reissued me a new card based on this information.
So yea it could go somewere

And yet you believe this? There is no proof and according to Sony all CC data was encrypted. For all we know it's simply a troll trying to stir up trouble.

http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/04/28/playstation-network-and-qriocity-outage-faq

I got this e-mail from Sony this morning. A little late, perhaps? <sarcasm>

Though here's a question: How many other companies have the backbone to own up quite so readily, instead of trying to cover it up to save face?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to defend Sony (after all, it seems thay they're finally getting help to make their system more secure, implying that their efforts were not solid enough to start with). But what I am saying is that I generally don't trust businesses to keep secure personal and credit card information, which is why I didn't give Sony my credit card details (but sadly had to give my personal information.)

Unencrypted passwords being accessed is not speculation. Sony was pretty clear about this point:

Although we are still investigating the details of this incident, we believe that an unauthorized person has obtained the following information that you provided: name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID. -Official Playstation Blog

I think if they could say "encrypted password hashes", they would. Unless they're trying to make things seem worse than they are in some misguided attempt to come out looking better in the end.

that's completely unverified at the moment.

"While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained."

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/04/26/update-on-playstation-network-and-qriocity/

Also possibly relevant is the PSN Outage FAQ they posted: [link].

Sony announced today basically all personal info has been comprised by the hacker(s): http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/04/26/update-on-playstation-network-and-qriocity/

Not that I begrudge Kotaku the clicks, but if you are going to post it, post the one that comes from the horses mouth.

Update on PlayStation Network and Qriocity

+ Posted by Patrick Seybold // Sr. Director, Corporate Communications & Social Media

Thank you for your patience while we work to resolve the current outage of PlayStation Network & Qriocity services. We are currently working to send a similar message to the one below via email to all of our registered account holders regarding a compromise of personal information as a result of an illegal intrusion on our systems. These malicious actions have also had an impact on your ability to enjoy the services provided by PlayStation Network and Qriocity including online gaming and online access to music, movies, sports and TV shows. We have a clear path to have PlayStation Network and Qriocity systems back online, and expect to restore some services within a week.

We’re working day and night to ensure it is done as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and feedback.

Valued PlayStation Network/Qriocity Customer:
We have discovered that between April 17 and April 19, 2011, certain PlayStation Network and Qriocity service user account information was compromised in connection with an illegal and unauthorized intrusion into our network. In response to this intrusion, we have:

Temporarily turned off PlayStation Network and Qriocity services;
Engaged an outside, recognized security firm to conduct a full and complete investigation into what happened; and
Quickly taken steps to enhance security and strengthen our network infrastructure by re-building our system to provide you with greater protection of your personal information.

We greatly appreciate your patience, understanding and goodwill as we do whatever it takes to resolve these issues as quickly and efficiently as practicable.

Although we are still investigating the details of this incident, we believe that an unauthorized person has obtained the following information that you provided: name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID. It is also possible that your profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers may have been obtained. If you have authorized a sub-account for your dependent, the same data with respect to your dependent may have been obtained. While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained.

For your security, we encourage you to be especially aware of email, telephone, and postal mail scams that ask for personal or sensitive information. Sony will not contact you in any way, including by email, asking for your credit card number, social security number or other personally identifiable information. If you are asked for this information, you can be confident Sony is not the entity asking. When the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services are fully restored, we strongly recommend that you log on and change your password. Additionally, if you use your PlayStation Network or Qriocity user name or password for other unrelated services or accounts, we strongly recommend that you change them, as well.

Things are not looking good... http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/04/26/update-on-playstation-network-and-qriocity/

"We have discovered that between April 17 and April 19, 2011, certain PlayStation Network and Qriocity service user account information was compromised in connection with an illegal and unauthorized intrusion into our network.

Although we are still investigating the details of this incident, we believe that an unauthorized person has obtained the following information that you provided: name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID. It is also possible that your profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers may have been obtained. If you have authorized a sub-account for your dependent, the same data with respect to your dependent may have been obtained. While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained.
"

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/04/26/update-on-playstation-network-and-qriocity/

This dude's blog seems to be an "official" source:

http://blog.us.playstation.com/author/pseybold/

Tony.

Chapter and verse please.

"You agree that you will not use any unauthorized hardware, including peripherals not sold or licensed by a Sony company such as, by way of example only, non-licensed game enhancement devices, controllers, adaptors and power supply devices (collectively, "Non-Licensed Peripherals") or software to access or use Sony Online Services or any content or service provided on or through Sony Online Services."

http://us.playstation.com/support/useragreements/termsserviceagreemt/

I've read it through several times before, and I can't be bothered doing it again

Yeah, that was the final straw with me. You had to agree one more time to a legal agreement pages and pages long just to play some games. Fuck it, among everything else, I'm just sick of the corporate bullshit.

It also doesn't use any form of internal protection to prevent it. Go ahead, plug in a Dell keyboard or use a ThinkGeek roll-out Bluetooth one. They'll both work fine. Its called conforming to standards.

Which is great, except then there's this bullshit license agreement saying you can't do that while online.

Notably of course in your mind, this didn't happen and neither did Microsoft suing over its own mod chip issues.

You have me confused with somebody else. I'm not an apologist for Microsoft or Nintendo when it comes to game consoles.

Where does this idea come from? It was NEVER advertised by Sony. Sure it got mentioned on Slashdot and other geek outlets, but OtherOS was never mentioned in Sony advertisements.

Also you can always keep OtherOS by not updating your PS3.

It was advertised at one of the E3 shows in an attempt to differentiate it from the already-released Xbox360 by showing the PS3 is more open.

It wasn't advertised on TV but it was heavily advertised on the Internet, and even Sony's own documentation makes it appear that OtherOS isn't just a toy feature meant to satisfy some feature list item, but a real thing Sony was getting behind.

And finally, prior to the announcement, Sony even renewed their commitment to OtherOS.

And yes, you can keep OtherOS by not updating your PS3. Except if you need to get it serviced, in which case Sony will NOT send you one with old firmware. Also, if you wish to keep playing PSN games you purchased, you need to update. Or wish to continue playing online multiplayer.

Sony killed PSN access for old firmware a month and a half after the OtherOS. And games released after April 1, 2010 require firmware updates. And any Blu-Rays that require firmware updates to play.

So, prior to April 1, 2010, I could use my PS3 for PSN, games AND OtherOS. After April 1, 2010, I could have PSN and games, OR OtherOS. Sony's effectively devalued the PS3 since I bought it.

My option left is to update and use the exploits to get full functionality that I had when I bought my PS3, risking a lawsuit by Sony. Or not update, and waste another $300 on a new PS3.

Honestly, I'd trade OtherOS for a feature of equivalent value to me - which is the ability to play games for free. And I say this despite my Xbox360 not being modded to pirate, my Wii not running homebrew channel at all. etc.

It's difficult to find numbers for these kinds of things, but keep in mind that the PS2 was available in many more countries than the NES. The PS2 sold over 100 million units, sure, but I distinctly remember seeing a record showing the sales data in the US alone to be about the same for both consoles. I can't for the life of me find it, though. Ah well.

Well, the NES sold 34 million in the US (source: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e0912.pdf), and the PS2 sold over 50 million, as of more than two years ago (source: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/01/15/PS2-sells-over-50-million-units-in-north-america-breaks-console-sales-record/).

To make that even more significant, consider this: Sony contended pretty heavily with Microsoft and (to, I believe, a lesser extent) Nintendo for console dominance, whereas the NES completely DOMINATED Atari and Sega. Even though the NES had a MONSTROUS lead over its competitors, it still only sold about half as many units as the PS2 did.

As a matter of fact, the PS2 sold nearly as many units in the US alone as the NES did worldwide.

These constant updates take over 15 minutes to complete and won't work in the background.

PlayStation Plus subscribers get automatic downloads of demos, patches, firmware, etc.

PlayStation Plus

Downloads can be scheduled as you like.

Firmware upgrades are not installed automatically. For more details:Support: System Software Updates [Automatic Downloads]

These constant updates take over 15 minutes to complete and won't work in the background.

PlayStation Plus subscribers get automatic downloads of demos, patches, firmware, etc.

PlayStation Plus

Downloads can be scheduled as you like.

Firmware upgrades are not installed automatically. For more details:Support: System Software Updates [Automatic Downloads]

Well, that will be a game that sells well.

Most homes where this will be bought have always on Internet anyway. How many people here specifically turn on their router when they want to go online? Besides which, this is a game designed to be played online with others. TFS only linked to a little diatribe that didn't actually link back to the source. Actual entry for this story on PSN is here.

Besides, the game is not unique in this. Dragon Age II will make periodic calls home to check it's legit. Is that game going to do badly, too? Linking a game to a legitimate account online is one of the least inconvenient to the user methods of reducing piracy.

Is it just me, or I could swear that I 'bought' my ps3 and it said nothing about a cable box like rental on the box. Why is it so hard for Sony to understand that this is my property and to leave it well enough alone?

Maybe it is just you.

PS3 System Update History

You might be satisfied with a feature list frozen in 2006. But in 2011 the PS3 can still be described as a feature-rich, state-of-the-art, video game console with HD support and 3D capable Blu-Ray drive, supporting a broad range of streaming media, social networking and other online services.

I can't remember the last actual worthwhile update Sony pushed through

I made myself depressed by checking. With a liberal definition of "useful", that'd be 2 years, 7 days and counting.

If you read just about any PS3 forum about firmware, you'll see people have wanted for YEARS simple things, like cross-game chat (ala XBox), PS2 emulation (or even PAY MONEY to buy them from the PSN store), auto-sync trophies to the PSN rather than having to do it manually. Simple, useful things. Sony even put up a blog asking "what do you want", and they've been told by (literally) tens of thousands of people. Nothing yet. Instead, we've had these "updates":

• 3.50 - Sept 21st, 2010 - BluRay gets 3D content (so only arguably useful)
• 3.42 - Sept 7th, 2010 - "security" patch
• 3.41 - July 27th, 2010 - Add intrusive, persistent advertisement bar.
• 3.40 - June 29th, 2010 - Minor HDMI color setting tweak, useless video editor, print photos
• 3.30 - April 23, 2010 - Add a useless feature that can only be used from a Sony laptop, and no laptops with that feature exist yet. 3D games added.
• 3.21 - April 1, 2010 - Replace OtherOS feature with a spiked club that has sex with your goldfish
• 3.15 - Dec 10, 2009 - Sorta kinda allow you to backup data to another PS3-- by Ethernet cable only. Sometimes.
• 3.10 - Nov 20, 2009 - Sorry excuse for a video store added to some regions, and you can be a dick on Facebook by spamming your friends with your trophies.
• 3.01 - Sept 15, 2009 - Improves some playback on some content. Details!
• 3.00 - Sept 1, 2009 - Needless redisgn of XBMC that makes it ugly, sparkly, and hides information. Huge, intrusive spam-banner added to screen. Sony engineers finally learn how to fastforward and rewind videos. Somewhere in here, lost ability to play music and browse internet at same time.
• 2.80 - June 24, 2009 - Unspecified 'improvements'
• 2.76 - May 14, 2009 - Unspecified 'improvements'
• 2.60 - Jan 21, 2009 - Added admittedly useful Photo Gallery software, and DivX 3.11 support. This update actually improved the PS3, and didn't remove any features.
• ...
• 1.10 - Nov 17, 2006 - First firmware revision.

(sidenote: Holy shit, does the new Slashdot css actually remove the bullets from a LI entry? Why?)

If the PLAYSTATION 3 video game console is not a telephone, then what's the Sony Wireless Bluetooth Headset for the PS3 supposed to do?

"The Bluetooth®Headset is a must have for intense online multiplayer games."

I don't see anything there about making calls from the PS3.

...allow voice chat in game? I don't see what you were trying to indicate with that. I mean, I can voice chat with other people around with world using my PC, but that doesn't mean it's a telephone.

Any game with voice chat turns the PS3 into "a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sound, most commonly the human voice". PS3 with the Eye accessory already does video chat, which includes voice. Can you show that "telephone" is defined in copyright law to require connection to the PSTN, and if so, would that be reason enough to cancel rumored Skype?

If the PLAYSTATION 3 video game console is not a telephone, then what's the Sony Wireless Bluetooth Headset for the PS3 supposed to do?

I own a bunch of those games on that list, and I'm quite sure they don't run at 1080p.

For example, for one game on that list, burnout Paradise, even the developers say it doesn't run on 1080p: http://www.criteriongames.com/article.php?artID=70

Also, this list claims a lot of other things: http://www.community.eu.playstation.com/t5/PlayStation-3-General-Discussion/Which-PS3-Games-Are-1080p-full-high-definition/m-p/10102334

Let me start with your core argument.

Users explicitly agreed to the updates.

That is immaterial. Please read up on and understand what a bait and switch is before you say anything about it.

Searching Google for "definition bait and switch" will give you some sort of reasonable answers; the first real result had a definition that should make this understandable.

When I bought it, it had the OtherOS feather AND I could do all the online stuff...not now

When I bought it, it had backwards comparability for almost all PS2 games...not now

Those features were removed by system updates that you had to explicitly agree to download and install.

I will grant that it is shady of Sony to require those system updates to run new media, but this was not a "bait and switch".

Look at the first definition from Google after searching for "define bait and switch".

PS3 was sold with advertising for four different features (and more):

• (Explicitly) Ability to run OtherOS - was advertised even after the feature was removed.
• (Explicitly) Ability to use online services - still advertised at http://us.playstation.com/features/p
• Ability to play games as they came out and keep compatibility - still advertised at http://us.playstation.com/features/ps_ps3_softwareupdates.html
• Ability to play BluRays (including new BluRays) - still advertised at http://us.playstation.com/features/ps_ps3_bluray.html

Then Sony, unilaterally, said "You have to choose between either feature 1, OtherOS, or all the other features. You can't have both. If you choose to have the rest, you lose OtherOS permanently."

This was bait and switch. The bait was having all the features, advertised. The switch was removing it.

Nothing was taken, nothing was stolen.

In (A) Ability to re-sell based on the value of OtherOS. Ability to use OtherOS yourself or (B) Ability to play online, play new games, and play new BluRays, either (A) or (B) was taken, depending on user choice.

OtherOS e.g. gives PS3 extra permanent value as a high quality media box.

Let me start with your core argument.

Users explicitly agreed to the updates.

That is immaterial. Please read up on and understand what a bait and switch is before you say anything about it.

Searching Google for "definition bait and switch" will give you some sort of reasonable answers; the first real result had a definition that should make this understandable.

When I bought it, it had the OtherOS feather AND I could do all the online stuff...not now

When I bought it, it had backwards comparability for almost all PS2 games...not now

Those features were removed by system updates that you had to explicitly agree to download and install.

I will grant that it is shady of Sony to require those system updates to run new media, but this was not a "bait and switch".

Look at the first definition from Google after searching for "define bait and switch".

PS3 was sold with advertising for four different features (and more):

• (Explicitly) Ability to run OtherOS - was advertised even after the feature was removed.
• (Explicitly) Ability to use online services - still advertised at http://us.playstation.com/features/p
• Ability to play games as they came out and keep compatibility - still advertised at http://us.playstation.com/features/ps_ps3_softwareupdates.html
• Ability to play BluRays (including new BluRays) - still advertised at http://us.playstation.com/features/ps_ps3_bluray.html

Then Sony, unilaterally, said "You have to choose between either feature 1, OtherOS, or all the other features. You can't have both. If you choose to have the rest, you lose OtherOS permanently."

This was bait and switch. The bait was having all the features, advertised. The switch was removing it.

Nothing was taken, nothing was stolen.

In (A) Ability to re-sell based on the value of OtherOS. Ability to use OtherOS yourself or (B) Ability to play online, play new games, and play new BluRays, either (A) or (B) was taken, depending on user choice.

OtherOS e.g. gives PS3 extra permanent value as a high quality media box.

Let me start with your core argument.

Users explicitly agreed to the updates.

That is immaterial. Please read up on and understand what a bait and switch is before you say anything about it.

Searching Google for "definition bait and switch" will give you some sort of reasonable answers; the first real result had a definition that should make this understandable.

When I bought it, it had the OtherOS feather AND I could do all the online stuff...not now

When I bought it, it had backwards comparability for almost all PS2 games...not now

Those features were removed by system updates that you had to explicitly agree to download and install.

I will grant that it is shady of Sony to require those system updates to run new media, but this was not a "bait and switch".

Look at the first definition from Google after searching for "define bait and switch".

PS3 was sold with advertising for four different features (and more):

• (Explicitly) Ability to run OtherOS - was advertised even after the feature was removed.
• (Explicitly) Ability to use online services - still advertised at http://us.playstation.com/features/p
• Ability to play games as they came out and keep compatibility - still advertised at http://us.playstation.com/features/ps_ps3_softwareupdates.html
• Ability to play BluRays (including new BluRays) - still advertised at http://us.playstation.com/features/ps_ps3_bluray.html

Then Sony, unilaterally, said "You have to choose between either feature 1, OtherOS, or all the other features. You can't have both. If you choose to have the rest, you lose OtherOS permanently."

This was bait and switch. The bait was having all the features, advertised. The switch was removing it.

Nothing was taken, nothing was stolen.

In (A) Ability to re-sell based on the value of OtherOS. Ability to use OtherOS yourself or (B) Ability to play online, play new games, and play new BluRays, either (A) or (B) was taken, depending on user choice.

OtherOS e.g. gives PS3 extra permanent value as a high quality media box.

And its not even a Playstation phone! It's an Android 'gaming' phone: i.e. a regular android phone from Sony-Ericsson which replaces a slide-out keypad with a slide-out gamepad, and happens to run the Playstation app available for all other Android handsets. If people are expecting a PSP phone, they're going to be sorely disappointed.

Sony OtherOS Manual

Here you go, current and a copy from 2006

Can you do Skype video chat with the Move's camera?

Because that could be a killer app over the Wii right there. Get a Blu-Ray player, game console, and a way to video chat with the grandparents, all in one package!

Right now, though, it looks like you're stuck with video chat to other PSN users, which makes that feature entirely useless. Which is strange, because the PSP comes with a Skype client, so it's not like it would be something entirely new to them.

And, hey, this isn't a new idea at all, tons of people would like to see it, but Sony has already answered that question: "Fuck you." Thanks, Sony.

So we don't completely forget about it. Gamers who played Metal Gear Solid should never forget the PAL key puzzle that required the use of a shape memory alloy.

Just read the sony website. Don't trust a post on a forum. They did disable other-os security is everything on a ps3.

Of course this isn't really a big problem for the PSPGo.
One big glaring problem though, often overlooked, is that you need a PS3 to get your games.

I thought PlayStation Store games for PSP only needed the PS3 for the first few months. Since the fourth quarter of 2007, Sony has made a PlayStation Store client for PC available.

It's not a troll, and it's not a copy and paste. I wrote "Then I saw a game on sale for my PSP that I wanted to play", and that's what happened. When Patapon 2 came out, I didn't bother, and hadn't gotten around to playing it. The price drop to $8 was on the Playstation blog) on the 16th as a "Back to School" deal.

My PS3 controller seems to pair with my MacBook Pro 2010 when I plug it in, or at least lose it's PS3 pairing. It's perfectly reproducible for me.

My internet connection is a 6Mbps (see later in the post) DSL line. That was my experience, and Ars Technica had a simmilar experience with slow download speeds and the problem of firmware updates.

I understand firmware needs to complete or my device will brick, but I want to do the update on the AC adapter. I haven't run into a device that isn't happy to have the AC for a firmware update before. I did notice it doesn't need to be full. It was happy at the 70% or so my new batter was when I opened it.

What sole purpose? Look at U.S. PS3 commercials that claim the console only does everything.

That was before they removed the otherOS functionality, which enabled it to 'do everything'.

gaming consoles don't usually know your phone number, your contacts, your e-mail

Your Xbox 360 console knows all these if you routinely use Xbox Live Gold. Your Live account is associated with an e-mail address, and Gold subscribers have Skype and a list of gaming contacts. Even a Wii console knows your contacts' Wii Numbers.

a device that has the sole purpose of playing video games.

What sole purpose? Look at U.S. PS3 commercials that claim the console only does everything. Besides, it wouldn't be as much of a sole purpose if the platform were more open. For example, once the Nintendo DS got reliably cracked, a media player called MoonShell and a basic PIM called DSOrganize popped up.

Looks like they silently fixed the problem without telling anyone... See here...

I don't care about 3D-movies or -pictures or even -games. I can't buy Deathspank on PSN yet. How about you fix shit that matters before going for shit that doesn't? K? TNX.

So Nintendo rolls out the best thing in handheld games since the first Gameboy, and suddenly 3D is bad for children. What a coincidence. I suspect that this is just an underhanded PR attack against Nintendo by one of its rivals.

That is highly doubtful, considering Sony already offers 3D Bravia televisions, 3D Bluray players, and a firmware upgrade to enable 3D on the Playstation.

Tired of false advertising

So, I suppose, every time you hear of a 3D movie/television/game, there's some confusion. You hold out hope that they are referring to real 3D, but every time, you are crushed and disappointed. False advertising only occurs when there is some kind of fraud being perpetrated, that is, when the advertisement exploits some confusion about what is being sold. If everyone knows what they're talking about (and, for practical purposes, everyone does), then it's not a fraudulent advertisement; it's a marketing term.

Besides, if you have a look at the link provided by the guy posting above you, you'll see that Sony refers everywhere to "Stereoscopic 3D", rather than "Real 3D", so I think you'll find that the advertising is far from fraudulent, even by your standards.

* WipEout HD (full game): Experience the adrenalin rush of navigating the twists and turns of futuristic racetracks at breathtaking speeds like never before.
* Super Stardust HD (full game): Experience asteroids fly past you as you navigate the deadly battleground — only a battle on a cosmic level will save the indigenous life below from destruction.
* PAIN: The stereoscopic 3D content will include the Downtown area and tutorial along with three modes, including two new modes created specifically with stereoscopic 3D in mind, Alien Toss and Ice Breaker.
* MotorStorm Pacific Rift (demo): MotorStorm Pacific Rift in stereoscopic 3D puts you in the driver’s seat of a buggy for a one track, single player race around the deadly Kanaloa Bay for a dangerously real battle against ruthless opponents.

I haven't been a fan of the whole 3D TV thing, but I could really get into 3D video games. For that, I'd wear the silly glasses.