Tag Archives: Sony

3net, a 24/7 3D network, set to launch Sunday on DirecTV

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I know you’ve been waiting with so much anticipation since late December 2009 to hear this news. DirecTV is nearly ready to launch the 24/7 3D network dubbed 3net, the joint venture of Sony Corp., Discovery Communications, and IMAX Corp. On Sunday, February 13 at precisely 8PM ET 3net will be accessible exclusively to DirecTV customers. The network plans to premiere original 3D series and programs every night at 9PM ET. Sony, Discovery, and IMAX hope that the network will “serve as a critical driver for consumer adoption of in-home 3D entertainment” with their goal for the channel “to offer viewers the largest library of native 3D entertainment content in the world by the end of 2011.” China Revealed, Into the Deep, and Forgotten Planet is the Feb. 13 lineup, so if you’re a satellite subscriber and own a 3DTV tune to channel 107 to experience TV in an entirely new dimension. Official PR after the break.

[Via Engadget] Continue reading 3net, a 24/7 3D network, set to launch Sunday on DirecTV →

Sony’s Kaz Hirai talks NGP

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Was your heart all a-flutter when Sony announced NGP (Next Generation Portable), the successor to the PSP at their January unveiling event in Tokyo? If so, you’ll want to set aside about six minutes of your day to watch this brief but highly informative glimpse into the man behind the product’s vision. President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. Kaz Hirai talks about the NGP announcement and where he sees the powerful and uniquely designed handheld fitting into the competition (read: Nintendo 3DS).

[Via PlayStation Blog]

Sony unveils the PSP successor, brings PS games to Android devices with PlayStation Suite

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Today Sony hosted PlayStation Meeting 2011 in Japan, and there they announced the successor to the PSP (codenamed NGP) and provided details on how they plan to expand the PlayStation brand to Android devices.

Let’s start with what you’ve been waiting oh-so-long for.  The oft-rumored PSP2 has finally been unveiled.  But don’t call it that; Sony has branded the new device “Next Generation Portable” or NGP for short.  Though at first glance the NGP aesthetically appears similar to its predecessor, additional control options and the spec sheet will blow your mind.  The NGP packs a 5-inch 960×544 OLED capacitive multitouch display (OLED screen technology allows for great viewing angles, and the screen resolution is 4x greater than the PSP’s), a powerful quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, a quad-core Imagination Technologies PowerVR SGX543MP4+ GPU, dual analog sticks (as opposed to the PSP’s single analog nub), front and rear-facing cameras, built-in GPS, WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth, microphone, stereo speakers, the same Six-axis motion sensing system that’s featured in the PlayStation Move controller (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), and there’s a three-axis electronic compass.  Buttons-wise, you’ll find the usual suspects: the D-Pad, action buttons (triangle, circle, cross, square), left and right shoulder buttons, start, select, volume, power and PS buttons.  And I’ve managed to save the coolest new input implementation for last. The NGP packs a rear-mounted multitouch pad; it’s the same size as the front-facing OLED display, so the location of your finger is mapped directly to the game screen.  This new kind of input allows for “touch, grab, trace, push and pull” finger gestures and will open up a whole new world of gaming opportunities for developers.  All of this is stuffed inside a “Super Oval Design” form factor that is, again, similar to the PSP (there is no slide-up mechanism as featured in the PSP Go). Continue reading Sony unveils the PSP successor, brings PS games to Android devices with PlayStation Suite →

Sony & Microsoft release new sales figures for their motion peripherals

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Last we heard out of the video game giants Sony had shipped 1 million Move controllers in one month, and Microsoft had sold 1 million Kinect sensors in ten days.  Post-Black Friday, the companies were eager to share the latest sales figures for these products.  As of November 2010 Sony has shipped over 4.1 million units worldwide, and Microsoft has sold over 2.5 million Kinect sensors globally in 25 days.  Now bear in mind that there’s a notable difference between units shipped and units sold.  Unlike Microsoft, Sony is not reporting actual sales results; instead they are reporting the number of units shipped to retailers.  A Sony rep says that the company won’t “disclose [their] exact sell-through number”, and that kind of chips away at their impressive and somewhat misleading stat.  Nevertheless, there’s no denying that the new motion peripherals are happily riding the Wii’s coattails this holiday season.

[Via Engadget, here & here]

VUDU on-demand movie service coming to PS3 November 23

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Sony is really doing a splendid job at racking up the movies selection for its PlayStation 3 users.  After making deals to bring television and movie content from Netflix and Hulu Plus, come November 23 PS3 owners will have access to VUDU’s on-demand movie service which includes more than 4,000 HD movies for all major Hollywood studios, including new releases available the same day they are released to DVD.  VUDU supports 1080p HD and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound streaming, which is a big plus.  VUDU plans to release a UI revision in mid-December, and it will bring a more streamlined user experience, intuitive structure, and support for next-generation motion-based input devices including the PlayStation Move controller.  VUDU offers $2 for a two night rentals and new customers will receive a $5.99 credit; that’ll get you a ticket for one free HD streaming movie. Sony and VUDU official PR sits after the break.  Catch a peek of VUDU on PS3 in the gallery below.

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading VUDU on-demand movie service coming to PS3 November 23 →

PlayStation Move is for man-babies

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In collaboration with ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi, Sony has developed a peculiar new advertising campaign for the Latin American market.  In the two commercials Sony is hoping build awareness of the PlayStation, along with the recently released PlayStation Move motion accessory.  All I see are freakishly giant MAN-BABIES.  But here’s how Sony explains it:

“The first commercial…features a baby as a depiction of the emotions that are often associated with the purest form of entertainment. It reminds us of a time when even the smallest actions, sights and sounds can provoke unhinged and constant entertainment.”

Riiight.  Look after the break to watch another commercial starring MAN-BABIES!  Oh Sony, you never fail to awkwardly impress.

[Via PlayStationBlog; Joystiq] Continue reading PlayStation Move is for man-babies →

Sony intros new Bluetooth headset for PS3 users

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What you’re looking at here is the newly redesigned Bluetooth headset for PlayStation 3 users.  It’s glossy, sleek, and 30% more compact than its original counterpart which debuted in 2008.  Hungry for specs?   It offers a dual-microphone design, automatic pairing via USB cable, in-game headset status indicator, an easily accessible microphone mute button, a charging cradle which also functions as a desktop microphone, a special High Quality mode that promises “crystal clear voice chat” during gaming sessions, and built-in noise cancellation.  It also packs three-way calling and call waiting support if you feel like pairing it with a mobile phone; its got six hours of talk time, so it’s definitely a viable cell phone companion.  All this can be yours for the same price of the original model–$49.99.  It will release sometime this month.

[Via PlayStationBlog]

Hulu Plus preview opens up to everyone, now available on 2010 Sony BRAVIA TVs, coming next week to all PS3 users

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Hulu is ready to take its premium subscription service to the next level by opening it up to more people.  As of today you no longer need an invitation to subscribe to Hulu Plus; if you’re interested, go ahead and register for the service right now.  Is your living room packed with Sony products?  If so this next bit of news should crack a smile.  Hulu Plus is now available to access on 2010 BRAVIA HDTVs and BRAVIA Internet Video Link via the BRAVIA Internet Video platform.  It will “soon” be available on Blu-ray players, Blu-ray Home Theater Systems, Network Media Player, and Sony’s DASH.  PS3 owners, listen here: Hulu Plus will open for all of you sometime next week. (Update (11/10): It’s available today.)  Since July only those PS3 users who subscribed to PlayStation Plus (a $50/year service) could use Hulu Plus, but now Hulu is removing that road block and allowing all PS3 users with a (free) PSN account to sign up for their service.  PS3 will remain the exclusive video games console with Hulu Plus access through the remainder of the year; it’s expected to land on Xbox 360 and Wii sometime in 2011.  PR messages from Sony and Hulu sit after the break.

[Via PlayStationBlog; HuluBlog; Engadget] Continue reading Hulu Plus preview opens up to everyone, now available on 2010 Sony BRAVIA TVs, coming next week to all PS3 users →

320GB PlayStation 3 is Move-less

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Want a 320GB PlayStation 3 console but don’t care for the PlayStation Move motion accessory?  Sony’s got you covered.  Earlier this week the makers of PS3 introduced a new SKU into the market.  For $349.99 you get the 320GB PS3 console (the largest storage capacity next-gen console) and a DualShock 3 controller.  This new standalone PS3 model is available today.  But before you decide to make a decision at the counter, take into consideration your other options.  (1) For $50 less you can get the 160GB PS3; (2) for $50 more you can get the 320GB PS3 w/ Move bundle (which includes one Move controller and Sports Champion game).  Don’t need the large capacity?  Absolutely sure you don’t want to get off the couch and interact with games in a new way?  Ultimately, the choice is yours.

[Via PlayStationBlog]

Sony ships 1 million Move controllers in first month of availability

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The suits at Sony have something to smile about.  Today the company reported having shipped 1 million PlayStation Move controllers in North and Latin America in the first 30 days of availability.  SCEA CEO Jack Tretton is enthused to say the least.  “Retail demand is incredibly strong and we’re working hard to keep the product in stock”, he said.  “We believe consumers have already shown their preference for a precise, interactive game experience.  We are on target to meet our end of year goals and expect sales to increase as our publishers and developers continue to update popular titles and introduce new games.”  This is certainly great news for Sony, but Joystiq makes a solid point when they say this announcement does not help you figure the precise install base of the new motion controller.  Many PS3 owners likely purchased more than one Move for two-hand and multiplayer functionality.  Still, this does not take away the fact that Sony has something powerful in their (er, our) hands.  Right now there’s 24 Move-supported titles out, with 17 more promised before the year runs out.  I gotta get my Move on.  Full PR after the break.

[Via Joystiq] Continue reading Sony ships 1 million Move controllers in first month of availability →

Stream Netflix in 1080p with 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound on PS3, now disc-free!

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Are you a Netflix subscriber?  Do you own a PS3?  Well boy I have great news for you!  Starting this Monday, October 18 you will be able to access, manage, and play Netflix content from your PS3 without the (until now) necessary instant streaming disc.  Oh-ho-ho but there’s more.  Netflix on PS3 will allow for full HD 1080p playback and 5.1-channel surround sound.  Netflix has partnered with Dolby to support Dolby Digital Plus audio for selected content.  In addition to all this, the Netflix user experience on the gaming console has undegone a redesign.  Menu selection and browsing looks quick and intuitive, plus there’s the new option to search!  Nabbing the new version of Netflix on Monday is a snap; scroll over to the Video icon in the XMB and it’ll be sitting there waiting to be downloaded.  Look after the break for a brief video demonstration of the service.

Starting Monday, Netflix on PS3 will be the best way to stream Netflix on your TV.  No other Netflix-enabled box supports Netflix 1080p + Dolby 5.1 surround sound content…yet.

[Via PlayStationBlog; Engadget] Continue reading Stream Netflix in 1080p with 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound on PS3, now disc-free! →

Google TV ready for primetime (part 2): Sony Internet TV & Blu-ray Disc Player

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Yesterday Sony held their own event to reveal their Google TV initiative.  Unlike Logitech’s companion box (the Revue), Sony is incorporating Google TV into a new line of HDTVs and a Blu-ray player.  The Google TV experience on the new Sony TVs and BD player is exactly the same as it is on Logitech’s Revue, so I will spare you another Google TV explanation and jump right to the hardware announcements.

The Sony Internet TV lineup includes 4 HDTVs: the 24-inch NSX-24GT1 ($599.99), the 32-inch NSX-32GT1 ($799.99), the 40-inch NSX-40GT1 ($999.99), and the 46-inch NSX-46GT1 ($1,399.99).  They all feature a full HD 1080p display with edge LED backlighting except for the 24-incher; that one’s fitted with CCFL backlighting.  They all include built-in WiFi and around back there’s 4 HDMI ports, an Ethernet port, 2 USB ports, component and composite video inputs, optical audio output, 2 IR blasters, a headphone output, and power of course.  Every TV will come bundled with an bizarre-looking QWERTY keypad remote.  Though it appears large in pictures, the remote is about the size of the small Logitech Mini Controller and it takes design cues from the PS3 DualShock controller (it’s got left and right triggers).  In addition to the QWERTY buttons, the remote also has a D-pad and an optical mouse built-in.  The whole contraption does not look entirely intuitive; there’s definitely going to be a learning curve with it.

Already have a perfectly fine HDTV in the living room?  Skip the TV and go for the new Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player.  At $399.99, the BD player sounds like a pretty good deal when it compare it to the Logitech Revue.  For an extra $100 you’re getting Blu-ray disc support; something to think about.  The player includes built-in WiFi, 1 HDMI input, 1 HDMI output, and 4 USB inputs.

I said I wouldn’t talk about software, but there’s one Sony addition on this front.  In addition to the Google TV apps, all Sony Internet TV products will come preinstalled with Qriocity, a Sony video on-demand app.  Sony also reminds you that more apps are on the way when the Android Market hits Google TV in early 2011.

The Sony Internet TV and Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player are currently on pre-sale at SonyStyle and Best Buy.  They will be available to purchase this weekend starting October 16 at Sony Style stores, and they’ll make their way to Best Buy outlets on October 24.

Google TV has arrived.  Will it be the Logitech Revue or Sony Internet TV?  The choice is yours.

[Via Sony; Engadget]