The Japanese sales figures for last month's console sales are in, and there's some good news for the PS3. Sony's console is now just over 63,000 units behind the Wii compared to almost 175,000 units in August (the figures for September weren't announced), which is a considerably smaller gap. The bad news for both consoles is that sales figures have plummeted from 245,653 units for the Wii and 81,541 units for the PS3 in August to just 110,415 units and 47,183 units respectively. It was better news for Microsoft, which saw its Xbox 360 sales figures rise from 11,288 units to 18,717 units over the same time period, although it still lags behind both other companies. The PS3's and 360's sales would have been helped slightly by both consoles experiencing a price drop during October, and the PS3 is expected to do well in November with the introduction of the new 40GB PS3 in Japan, along pre-Christmas sales affecting figures.

Sony has rather quietly decided to introduce a new 65nm version of the Cell processor into its new 40GB PlayStation 3 models, which has helped to significantly reduce the console's power consumption. With the older models, the machine would require 200W when running, whilst the new model only uses 135W. Not only does it mean reduced power consumption, but the new 65nm Cell should hopefully allow the console to run cooler and quieter. Sony has also altered the 40GB version to include a smaller heat pipe, a new motherboard version and added a battery so the console keeps time when disconnected from the mains.

With the release of Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction DualShock is finally returning to the PlayStation family following Sony's legal disputes with Immersion. Although the firmware is not available for download yet (it's only included with the Ratchet and Clank game at present) version 1.94 gives games the ability to a vibration signal to controllers. The downside is that the DualShock 3 controller won't actually be available until next spring, so gamers will still have a fair wait, although the new hardware should be released in Japan during November if you'd like to import one. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Assassin's Creed are also set to feature rumble before the DualShock 3 controllers are released, and current games like Resistance: Fall of Man and MotorStorm should receive downloadable patches to enable rumble.

For a while, the Nintendo Wii was truly the king of consoles. It had all sorts of fun games, it was easy to use, and it was cheap as dirt (relatively speaking). However, with the release of such extremely well done games as BioShock and Halo 3 to the Xbox360, many gamers are picking up an Xbox 360 just to play said games. In fact, just last month, Xbox 360 sales effectively doubled, according to recent NPD figures. Overall, Microsoft sold 527,800 Xbox360s, Nintendo sold 501,000 Wiis, and Sony sold 119,400 PS3s.

On November 2nd, $399 will get you a lovely PlayStation3 with a 40GB hard drive, no backwards compatibility whatsoever, and 2 USB ports. This is $50 more than the Xbox360 Premium edition, and $150 more than the Nintendo Wii. On November 2nd, the 80GB PS3 price will be reduced to a mere $500USD. Sony has no comment as to why it took so long to determine when America would get this console.

Well, it seems that Sony decided to give the keys to the Cell processor to Toshiba. By March 2008, Toshiba will own all manufacturing facilities of the Cell processor. Sony will still own some stock in the Cell processor, and the deal itself is worth an incredible $858 million USD.

You can read the official press release, Google-translated from Japanese, here.

While the 40GB PS3 is confirmed for Europe and possible for America, Sony took the time to officially announce the release of the 40GB PS3 in Japan and Australia. On November 11th, Japan will see the 40GB PS3 for $340USD. It will be just like it's European sister: two USB ports, no memory card slots, and no backwards compatibility. Price cuts were also announced for Japan. On November 11th, the Japanese 20GB PS3 will cost about $380USD, and the 60GB model will cost $469USD. In Australia, there will be no price cuts, but the 40GB model will be available for $699.95 AUD (roughly $620USD).

After finally agreeing to return rumble to its PlayStation controllers following legal disputes, Sony has now announced the first PS3 console which will be released featuring the updated DualShock 3 technology. The white PS3 console, pictured below, will be launched in Japan on November 11th this year costing about $341, and is the first official colour variation of the machine. It will use the new 40GB hard drive, although DualShock 3 will only be available in Japan initially, with the console continuing to be sold with the standard SIXAXIS for at least a few months in Europe and North America - DualShock 3 isn't expected outside of Japan until spring next year.

Sony has announced that once the current stock of 60GB PlayStation 3 consoles is sold out, European regions will only have access to the newly introduced 40GB model. The shock decision comes after Sony Europe announced a price cut for the 60GB model to GBP 349 / EUR 499, which the company said was in response to consumer feedback. The company also unveiled a 40GB PS3 due to go on sale this Wednesday, but gave no indication at the time when the 60GB model will be discontinued.

Our offering in the UK market place for Christmas are the two SKU's announced on Friday, but as the 60GB stock is depleted the GBP 299 40GB SKU will be the only version available going forward,

said a spokesperson for SCEE. Sony has already phased out the 60GB model in North America, where an 80GB unit sells for USD 599 with a copy of MotorStorm.

Unfortunately for anyone hoping to completely maul a PS3 owner via Unreal Tournament 3, cross platform play between the PC and the PS3 will not be available at launch. According to an Epic representative, "The biggest challenge in doing cross-platform play is synchronizing the builds such that the build on the PC is 100% compatible with the build on the PS3. Unfortunately (or fortunately) when you [put] games on [a] console you have a lengthy certification process to go through each time you release anything new." Hence, every time someone tweaked the UT3 build, it would have to be certified for the PS3 before it could be released for the computer. And since Epic has it's computer-owning customers closer to its heart than those owning a PS3, the PS3 was forced to lose the interoperability. On the bright side, though, PS3 owners still get access to all the UT3 mods and user-created content that PC users make.

Sony doesn't really seem to be able to make up its mind about what it wants to do with the PS3 at the moment, but as things stand it's looking likely that the $599 80GB version of the console will soon be the only model left on the shelves as the 60GB model slowly fades away. However, FCC documents suggest that a $399 40GB version of the PS3 could be on the way, which is reported to feature Bluetooth, WiFi, at least two USB ports, a HDMI port and an Ethernet port, as well as the rest of the usual hardware. Given that just about every other spec is identical to the current PS3, a 40GB model is seen as being the most likely new addition. It's worth noting that it is also possible that Sony may even choose to make a more expensive PS3 with a bigger hard drive, although this is doubtful given that the current 80GB model is struggling to compete with the Xbox 360 Premium and its $399 price tag. Either way, if you want to guarantee your PS2 games will work you'd better get your hands on one of the 60GB PS3s soon, as that is the only model left using the PS2's Emotion Engine rather than software emulation when playing old titles and it won't be around for much longer.

The Folding@Home project has now managed to exceed one petaflop of processing power, thanks largely to the introduction of Sony's PlayStation 3 console last year. The project is currently operating at 1152 teraflops, with 889 teraflops being contributed by the PS3 and Windows based machines being closest competitor with just 164 teraflops. This means that over three-quarters of the processing power for Folding@Home is being provided by the PS3 due to the console's Cell Broadband Engine. Vijay Pande, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University said the following:

The recent inclusion of PS3 as part of the Folding@Home program has afforded our research group with computing power that goes far beyond what we initially hoped. Thanks to PS3, we are now essentially able to fast-forward several aspects of our research by a decade, which will greatly help us make more discoveries and advancements in our studies of several different diseases.

The Folding@Home project runs simulations in protein folding, which are helping scientists work towards cures for illnesses such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and certain forms of cancer. If you want to contribute to the project, you should take a look at the Folding@Home website and techPowerUp!'s Folding@Home team - all it requires is an internet connection and your idle processing power.

After announcing the DualShock 3 controller and the new PSP Remote Play feature, Sony also announced that PlayStation Home will be delayed until spring of 2008. Hirai apologizes for the delay and says the reason for the added wait is to allow further development of the user interface.

During its press conference at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show, Sony Computer Entertainment announced that it will replace the Sixaxis PlayStation 3 controller with the DualShock 3 Wireless Controller, a new controller for PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) incorporating a rumble feature. The controller will debut in Japan this November as a separately sold accessory, with a Spring 2008 target for US and European market. Some of the games listed as compatible with the rumble feature are BIOHAZARD 5, Devil May Cry 4, Metal Gear Solid 4, Metal Gear Solid Online, and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. Other PS3 titles that are already in the market may become compatible with the rumble feature through software update.

Logitech today announced its continued support of the PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system with the Logitech Cordless Vantage Headset for PLAYSTATION 3 and Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro Bluetooth Keyboard for PLAYSTATION 3 - giving gamers the freedom and reliability of Bluetooth wireless technology for their PS3 gaming experience.

An update to the PlayStation 3 system software was released on September 4, 2007, bringing it from version 1.90 to 1.92. The new firmware improves backwards compatibility with PlayStation 2 (PS2) titles.

• New for 1.92: Playability status with the PS3 system has changed for some PlayStation 2 format titles. To check on the latest status, visit the search site for compatible titles (coming soon).
• You can now adjust screen display settings while playing PlayStation and PlayStation 2 format software.

For more information, please refer to the System Software Update webpage.

At first, in Japan, Nintendo seemed to have it made. While Sony could do nothing more than call the Wii an "impulse buy", Nintendo was outselling the competition by 6-1. However, nowadays, it seems as though what Sony said a few months back is ringing true. Wii sales are falling in Japan, as PS3 sales begin to rise. Currently, there are three Wiis sold for every PS3 sold, however, we could soon see a reciprocal of that figure.Source:DailyTech

It's official: the 60GB version of the Sony PS3 is on it's way out. None of the SCEA (Sony Computer Entertainment America) warehouses have any 60GB PS3 stock. Fortunately for Sony, all of the PS3s were going straight to retailers around the country, and were already paid-in-full. And while Sony has no idea how many of those 60GB PS3s are still on store shelves, Sony believes that there's still "ample supply left".

Sales of Nintendo's Wii games console soared to their highest this year during July as it continued to outsell both Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3, shipping approximately 425,000 units. The PS3 also saw its strongest month of 2007, with sales rising from 95,000 units during June to 159,000 units during July following Sony's price drop for the 60GB model in North America. Meanwhile, the Xbox 360, which is still selling better than the PS3, saw its sales fall from 198,400 units to 170,000 units as the console continues to be plagued by reliability issues. Meanwhile the PlayStation 2 remains the second-best seller among home consoles, shipping 222,000 units during July, meaning the two least powerful consoles (excluding portable consoles) are selling best. These figures also mean that lifetime sales of the Wii have now surpassed those of the Xbox 360 as Nintendo continues to return to its former glory of the NES, SNES and N64 eras.

According to the latest issue of Japan's Dengeki PlayStation magazine, the much loved, long awaited rumble controller is back in black. The Dual Shock 3 will be compatible with Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, set to hit stores in October. However, there hasn't been news of a European release date yet.

PS3 owners in Europe will soon be able to enjoy recording digital TV via their consoles. Sony has released a plug-in TV tuner that enables the PS3 to record video. The personal video recording software has been dubbed "PlayTV".

The new 80GB PlayStation 3 console was launched today in the USA and Canada, with a recommended price tag of $599. This comes after Sony decided to reduce the price of the 60GB model and drop the 20GB version altogether, with Sony Computer Entertainment America's senior vice president of marketing saying:

The 80GB PS3 offers expanded options in the PS3 family of products for those who want to enjoy more downloadable content. The new model will provide ample storage space to meet the appetites of those who wish to download content today, and for many more years to come. With the expanded disk capacity and dynamic system upgrades, we have effectively created a system that is 'future-proof', providing consumers an exceptional entertainment value that will stand the test of time.

The 60GB sale saw a nice 135% increase in sales after the recent price drop, although Sony also plans to discontinue this model after all current stock has been sold, leaving just the 80GB model. The new 80GB model ships with one SIXAXIS controller and a free copy of off-road racing game MotorStorm, and should be available from major online and high-street stores immediately.

Many people will be familiar with Sony's Cell Broadband Engine, the processor which powers the company's famous PS3 games console. However, a 15-year-old patent for "synchronized parallel processing with shared memory" could spell trouble for the firm if the Parallel Processing Corporation is victorious in a recent lawsuit against Sony. The Parallel Processing Corporation claims that Sony's Cell processor infringes the patent and has caused "irreparable harm and monetary damage" - the patent was originally granted to a company called International Parallel Machines on 8th October 1991, but the Parallel Processing Corporation now claims to be the "exclusive licensee" for it. If successful, this has the potential to be much more serious than the well known rumble lawsuit, considering that the Cell processor isn't something that can be easily changed for the PS3. Sony is yet to give a statement about this issue, instead saying doesn't comment on pending litigation.

Video game publisher Konami recently revealed it is releasing an online version of its popular stealth combat game. The new title which is currently an exclusive for the Playstation 3 will feature 16 player mode in an array of stealth environments. And while Konami has not given a release date yet, beta testing will run between August 20th and September 3rd.

On the heels of a strong showing at E3, today Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced retail growth for Playstation 3 in July. Based on preliminary internal data, PS3 sales have increased by more than 135% at the company's top five retailers since the new $499 price was announced two weeks ago on July 9th. During this same two-week period, total PlayStation hardware sales have increased by 161%, software by 15% and peripherals by 60%. Also, according to NPD sales data released today for the month of June, PlayStation sales increased prior to E3, as well. Overall, the PlayStation brand continued to exhibit solid growth evidenced by a 21% increase in total retail dollars generated year-over-year in North America with total sales of $393 million. PS3 sales were up 21% over May's figures, with 98,469 units sold at retail.