The 40GB PlayStation 3 is indeed being confirmed by Sony. Announced today in London, the system that's been clamored over for what seems like ages now will launch throughout the SCEE territories on October 10th for 399 EUR (565 USD), which means you don't have too awfully long to wait before getting your hands on one. The new model features just a pair of USB 2.0 ports rather than four, it no longer boasts the multi-memory card port and it is no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation 2 titles. Also, the existing 60GB PS3 Starter Pack will be reduced to 499 EUR (707 USD), but only while supplies last.

Sony Corporation and Qimonda AG, a leading supplier of memory products, today announced that they have signed an agreement to found the joint venture Qreatic Design. The scope of the joint venture is the design of high-performance, low power, embedded and customer specific DRAMs for consumer and graphic applications. According to the agreement, the 50:50 joint venture is intended to start with up to 30 specialists from Sony and Qimonda, bringing together their first-class engineering expertise for the mutual benefit of both companies.

Sony looks set to win the race to become the first company to release an OLED television with its SonyDrive XEL-1 display. OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode, and such displays do not require a backlight to function, unlike standard LCD displays - as well as boasting superior contrast ratios such as the 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio of the XEL-1. Sony's 11-inch TV will offer a 960 x 540 pixel resolution, a digital tuner, 2 x 1W speakers and HDMI, USB and Ethernet ports. It's dimensions come to 287 x 140 x 253mm, weighing in at 2kg. The XEL-1 will hit be available from 1st December this year with a price tag of about $1,740 - which works at at $160 per inch of OLED. Perhaps a little expensive for the Christmas wish list?

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.

Sony Korea recently announced that their two new VAIO TX series notebooks(VGN-TX17LP/B and VGN-TX16LP/W) will be made from carbon fiber. Due to the use of the carbon filament composite material the laptops will be much stronger than traditional plastic shell laptops, while providing reduced weight. When compared against current T series notebooks, the VAIO TX series are twice as strong and 1.24-1.26kg(2.7-2.8 lbs) lighter or a 30% weight reduction. The rather eye-catching design is unique with using sapphire black and platinum white.

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.

Sony today unveiled the VAIO Graphic Splash Maya Hayuk Edition notebooks featuring designs from New York-based, emerging artist, Maya Hayuk. These limited edition PCs are available in two head-turning designs - "Grow" (VGN-FZ190E/1) and "Never Stop" (VGN-FZ190E/2). The "Grow" edition captures the feel of an organic forest with deep green, blue and purple flower-growing wildly across the top of the notebook while "Never Stop" is a colorful, kaleidoscopic design that is decked in interlacing lines and spherical shapes. The new mobile systems are based on Intel's Santa Rosa platform, with 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 processor, up to 4GB of RAM, 200GB hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT GPU, Blu-ray optical drive, and 802.11a/b/g/n wireless network. The VAIO Graphic Splash Maya Hayuk Edition notebooks go for about $2,500 and will be available at SonyStyle this month.

It appears that Sony and Toshiba could be in talks regarding Sony's production facilities used to manufacture the Cell processors found in the PlayStation 3 console. This move comes as part of Sony's strategy to focus more of its resources on products such as image sensors used in digital cameras and camcorders, rather than managing costly semi-conductor assets. The rumoured figure for the sale is 100 billion yen, which is approximately $870 million US, with a final agreement expected within a few months, although Sony and Toshiba have both declined to comment on this. If a deal is reached, it is expected that Sony would set up a joint venture with Toshiba in order to secure a stable supply of chips for its consoles.

A brand-new PSP system software update version 3.70 is available now through Sony's Network Update feature. The new additions of 3.70 include:

• You can now set custom themes in [Theme Settings] under [Settings].
• Support has been added for assigning buttons in [Remote Play].
• A scene search feature has been added under [Video].
• Sequential playback is now supported under [Video].
• Simultaneous playback of content under [Music] and [Photo] is now supported.

The update will work with both the original PSP hardware and the newer PSP-2000.

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

There have been many accounts of Sony using rootkits in their products back since 2005. However, a new story claims Sony's biometric Micro Vault USM-F thumb drive includes a rootkit which can allow hackers to compromise your PC. The rootkit was first discovered and confirmed by McAfee researchers Aditya Kapoor and Seth Purdy who posted the founding on their blog.

I think we would all agree that the PlayStation 2 has had a long run, with no signs of recent sales slowing down. To keep things interesting, this November Sony will release a white PS2 bundled with "SingStar Pop" and 2 USB microphones. The packaged deal will be available for $149.99USD. The new paint job is a welcome aesthetic change for those whose home decor doesn't accommodate for the "flat black" original, or anyone with a different taste in colors.

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".

To be fair to Apple, as much as some people may prefer Windows over OSX, few would argue that the appearance of the iMac range is among the sleekest and most attractive of computer designs available. However, Sony has now launched its new VAIO LT all-in-one PC which could well become a thorn in Apple's side. The VAIO LT features a 22" 'floating glass' display, a 1.3 MP integrated webcam, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM and an 802.11n wireless adaptor. Not only will it act as a computer, but it can also be used as a high definition TV, and the VAIO LT HD model also boasts a Blu-ray drive and Windows Vista Ultimate (the standard model uses Home Premium). The new VAIO LT should become available during October, but with the basic model costing $1,900 and the premium model costing $2,900, Sony's prices are significantly above those of the iMac, which starts at just $1,199 for the 20" model.

Sony has developed a 50 milliwatt "green" prototype battery that runs on sugars. The 1.5 inch (3.9 cm) battery can produce enough juice to run an mp3 player, along with a pair of speakers. The battery casing is made up of vegetable-based plastic and generates energy by breaking down sugar solution with enzymes.

At the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, Sony unveiled the new features for it's hand held PSP gaming system. These new features include Go!Video, which allows users in the UK and Ireland to watch video on demand, Go!Explorer which is a GPS navigation package and Go!Messenger which allows web browsing, RSS feeds and use of the PSP camera.

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".

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) today announced a Folding@home(TM) application update (v1.2) for PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) users, further demonstrating the company's continued commitment to the Stanford University distributed computing project. This latest update provides PS3 users with added functionalities and features, including support for Remote Play for PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable), added protein simulations and visuals, as well as a screensaver mode which enables PS3 to consume slightly less power and increases the performance of protein-folding simulations.

As Dailytech so eloquently puts it, Sony wants their stuff back - but only if you're done with it. Sony recently announced the start of the Sony Take Back Recycling Program. On September 15th, you can take your old Sony hardware to any of 75 Waste Management drop-off locations, where it will be recycled for absolutely no fee. As the program expands, Sony aims to have a recycling center within 20 miles of 95% of American households. Sony's ultimate goal of this program is to get 1 pound of old goods recycled for every 1 pound of merchandise shipped out. When asked for a comment on this new recycling program, Sony president and CEO Stan Glasgow says "Providing the highest level of service and support doesn't stop once a purchase is made. We believe it is Sony's responsibility to provide customers with end-of-life solutions for all the products we manufacture."

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.

Sony will be exhibiting its newly developed "Cell Computing Board (prototype)" at SIGGRAPH 2007 ( August 7th-9th at San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California, USA).
The "Cell Computing Board" incorporates the high-performance Cell Broadband EngineTM (Cell/B.E.) microprocessor and RSX graphics processor to deliver high computational performance capable of handling large amounts of data at high speed while also achieving reductions in size and energy consumption. This technology represents a new solution for multimedia computing applications such as computer graphics and scientific computations that require massive data quantities to be processed.

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.

Launching early next year, owners of the Playstation Portable (PSP) in the UK and Ireland will have access to Sky programing through a subscription or pay-per-view basis. A range of content will be made available to download either through a WiFi connection or through the PC. The joint venture between Sony and Sky is the first to bring video on demand to portable devices other than mobile phones. More details will be announced on August 22nd at the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany.