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Sony Announces PS3 Slim, Price Cut, Improvements To Home

Posted by Soulskill on from the worst-kept-secret dept.

Sony's press conference today at the Gamescom convention was full of announcements. They officially revealed the PS3 Slim, which will be 36% lighter and 33% smaller than the normal PS3. It will come with a 120 GB hard drive and list for $299 when it hits retail stores in early September. Normal PS3s will drop to that price as well starting tomorrow. (Unfortunately for Sony, their unveiling was spoiled a bit by several retailers jumping the gun on new advertisements, not to mention the rumors that had been swirling for weeks ahead of time.) Sony also announced a PS3 firmware update as well as new features and customization options for Home. In addition to that, the PS3 and PSP will be getting a digital reader service. At launch it will bring access to Marvel comic books, and will expand from there. They didn't talk much about their upcoming motion control scheme, but promised more details next month at the Tokyo Game Show.

11 of 427 comments (clear)

  1. It would be really nice... by 8127972 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ..... If Sony restored backward compatibility with PS2 games. That and not the price nor the size of the console is why I haven't bought one yet.

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    1. Re:It would be really nice... by Microlith · · Score: 5, Informative

      Considering that PS2s are still selling (strangely) well and getting new game releases, it's unlikely Sony will restore BC (even if only software emulation) to the PS3 platform. We'll probably see it return around the time they EOL the PS2 platform completely (once the PS3's successor is out.)

      Although I'm not sure that holds water, at least if they're still selling the PSOne, which I think they are...

    2. Re:It would be really nice... by Xtravar · · Score: 5, Informative

      Find a used CECHA01 (that's the serial number that has hardware backward compatibility).

      Yes, I now own two PS3's. The CECHA01 runs a little hotter and slightly noisier, but I mostly fixed that by changing the thermal paste on it - heck, the warranty was void anyway.

      ZOMG NERD ALERT!!

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      Buckle your ROFL belt, we're in for some LOLs.
    3. Re:It would be really nice... by Mad+Leper · · Score: 5, Funny

      Sony will however sell you a PS2 compatibility kit to go with your PS3. It's 100% compatible with all PS2 games and even comes with an original PS2 controller.

    4. Re:It would be really nice... by DigiShaman · · Score: 5, Insightful

      People still watch tube tvs?

      That was a dumb question. Of course they do!

      More often than not, very large tube sets are "good enough" for most people that have them. However, replacing them is such a huge PITA because of how large and heavy they are. So until it decides to die one day, there really isn't much of an incentive replace it with a flat panel.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
  2. Re:No Linux Support? by Turken · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I would assume that the loss of Linux support is likely due to not bothering to accommodate for the large changes in hardware under the hood. If their research shows that not enough people are using a feature make it worth developing and supporting, why should they waste resources on that feature? Of course, by that logic, then Home should have dies a long time ago too...

    At any rate, it shouldn't take too long for unofficial workarounds to show up.

  3. Re:Sweet by GigaHurtsMyRobot · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Rather than a good deal, I'd say it's finally priced the way it should be. I will also be getting one at this price... I have been a 360 zealot for a long time, but will get one of these for exclusives and PSN titles if I want them.

  4. Re:No Linux Support? by KnownIssues · · Score: 5, Funny

    I never realized how badly I wanted to be able to install another operating system on my PS3 until I found out I wouldn't be able to.

  5. Re:An even better model by dc29A · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How about they release "PS3 Reliable edition"?

    Of the two PS3 owners that I know (a friend and myself), both have had the Blue-ray drive fail. And mine failed just after I sold the console on Craigslist, making me look like a fraud.

    The plural of 'anecdote' is not 'evidence'.

  6. Re:Whoa! by Enderandrew · · Score: 5, Insightful

    * 120 gig HDD.
    * Built in wifi-fi.
    * Streams all my media content from my computer.
    * Top-notch BluRay player.
    * Built in web browser
    * Oh, and plays games.

    I think it is a great value actually, But to each their own.

    --
    http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
  7. Firmware 3.0 by CopaceticOpus · · Score: 5, Interesting
    The new firmware is designed to help Sony advertise, and does almost nothing that PS3 owners actually want.

    New Features:

    • "What's New" screen (ads for Sony products, links to Sony store)
    • Sony store now appears in several menus instead of just one.
    • New animated themes that you can buy.
    • New avatars, some of which are for sale. (Yes, they're really going to charge you to put a little picture of Sonic next to your username.)

    Things People Actually Want:

    • PS2 Compatibility
    • Better video support, especially MKV files. (Yes, you can convert MKV files to be playable. No, I don't think that's good enough.)
    • Ability to play media files over a Windows/Samba share, rather than having to use media server software.
    • Ability to backup the PS3 over a LAN automatically.
    • Less klunky web browsing
    • 1080i support for more games. (Since some TVs are 1080/480 only, and downgrade 720 down to 480.)

    Thanks a bunch, Sony.