Sony (both SCE and as a whole) are far from dead. They're in trouble, no doubt of that - but they're far from dead.
As has been said above, don't underestimate the blogosphere. The Internet is the biggest rumour mill of them all - and it seems that practically everything is taken as gospel truth, no matter how far out or ridiculous it may seem. It's increasingly difficult to know what's for real and what isn't - and when you have the various company's execs answering questions and making press releases to dispel Internet rumour, it goes to show just how much of an impact it has - take, for example, GamesRadar taking the issue of non-resale of used games - something that Sony categorically denied in 2003 - and bringing it back to the front again, so it's posted everywhere. Why?
Here's hoping their new PR chief can get things sorted, and give us some cold, hard facts on just what's going on with the PS3 (y'know, like online strategy details (there weren't enough at E3), launch games, etc. etc.)
I, for one, will be disappointed to see Sony continue the way they are at the moment (i.e. some of the comments coming out of their people as of late).
"76. PS3 is firmware upgradable (so i think i heard phill harrison say)"
There's a video on YouTube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Oyd041cYyzc&search=ps3%20os) which clearly shows the 'Network Update' function. One could assume that this will be similar to the PSP, in that it will add extra features / bugfixes when they become available.
"can HDCP be added to ps3 through firmware.. or does it need a special chip?"
The PS3 supports HDCP - even if there's a version without HDMI, the fundamental differences will be very small (theoretically, a hardware mod would be possible, as the actual hardware will differ very little). It's already been pointed out that HDCP is supported over DVI (theoretically anyway).
In my opinion, to even have a 20GB HDD is an advantage. Microsoft had it right with the XBox - and I think they dropped the ball with the X360 - it should have been a constant feature, even in the 'core' pack - and therefore, Sony just picked that ball back up.
"174. ... The PS3 is being called a media hub, but everyone already has a media hub... it's called a computer! What people need is a media extender. I am living proof of what can be done with a 360. Anyone else can have all of this, too. It's at their local Best Buy and is half the price of the PS3 without the wait."
From a Media Center PC, yes. For those of us without XP MCE (ie. Mac owners, or those with an outdated PC), this doesn't bode well. And anyway, seeing as Vista's out soon, there's not much point in an upgrade right now, unless you want to buy a copy of Vista as well on it's release.
"155. The ABC's of Sony's grave... m. can't stream music from your computer to the ps3 n. can't stream movies or videos from your computer to the ps3 o. can't stream live or recorded high def tv from your computer (DVR) to the ps3"
You can't prove or deny any of these. It's entirely possible for the PS3 to stream media - it's not been shown as a feature thus far, but it's entirely possible. Not only that, when the media's stored on the PS3 itself, there's no need to stream it anyway. It'll never be a Media Center Extender, but the amount of people with a Media Center PC is small at the moment.
"x. 360 releases high def camera, muting Sony's eye toy"
Those with an EyeToy will be able to use the EyeToy for video. Those who didn't buy an EyeToy will be able to buy Sony's HD camera - I assume they'll release one.
"168. Sony will launch a Blu-Ray PS3 ($699) and a non-Blu-Ray PS3 ($499) at a substantial price difference, hence no need for HDMI on the cheaper unit (you can output HD gaming over Component, just not encrypted movies)."
If they're going to do that, why have they been talking dataset sizes and all this junk at us since E3 '05? And what happens when the new game you want to play is Blu-Ray only? Not going to happen.
PlayStation PR chief jumps ship
Jun 2nd 2006 8:24PM (Joystiq)As has been said above, don't underestimate the blogosphere. The Internet is the biggest rumour mill of them all - and it seems that practically everything is taken as gospel truth, no matter how far out or ridiculous it may seem. It's increasingly difficult to know what's for real and what isn't - and when you have the various company's execs answering questions and making press releases to dispel Internet rumour, it goes to show just how much of an impact it has - take, for example, GamesRadar taking the issue of non-resale of used games - something that Sony categorically denied in 2003 - and bringing it back to the front again, so it's posted everywhere. Why?
Here's hoping their new PR chief can get things sorted, and give us some cold, hard facts on just what's going on with the PS3 (y'know, like online strategy details (there weren't enough at E3), launch games, etc. etc.)
I, for one, will be disappointed to see Sony continue the way they are at the moment (i.e. some of the comments coming out of their people as of late).
Creative releases ZEN Aurvana earphones
May 29th 2006 9:01PM (Engadget)Going by the quality of the 630s for the price they're at... the Aurvana could be very good. Very good indeed.
Clearing up some PS3 confusion
May 15th 2006 1:06PM (Joystiq)There's a video on YouTube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Oyd041cYyzc&search=ps3%20os) which clearly shows the 'Network Update' function. One could assume that this will be similar to the PSP, in that it will add extra features / bugfixes when they become available.
"can HDCP be added to ps3 through firmware.. or does it need a special chip?"
The PS3 supports HDCP - even if there's a version without HDMI, the fundamental differences will be very small (theoretically, a hardware mod would be possible, as the actual hardware will differ very little). It's already been pointed out that HDCP is supported over DVI (theoretically anyway).
In my opinion, to even have a 20GB HDD is an advantage. Microsoft had it right with the XBox - and I think they dropped the ball with the X360 - it should have been a constant feature, even in the 'core' pack - and therefore, Sony just picked that ball back up.
Sony continues to play defense over PS3 pricing, HDMI
May 15th 2006 12:06PM (Engadget)From a Media Center PC, yes. For those of us without XP MCE (ie. Mac owners, or those with an outdated PC), this doesn't bode well. And anyway, seeing as Vista's out soon, there's not much point in an upgrade right now, unless you want to buy a copy of Vista as well on it's release.
Sony continues to play defense over PS3 pricing, HDMI
May 15th 2006 12:01PM (Engadget)m. can't stream music from your computer to the ps3
n. can't stream movies or videos from your computer to the ps3
o. can't stream live or recorded high def tv from your computer (DVR) to the ps3"
You can't prove or deny any of these. It's entirely possible for the PS3 to stream media - it's not been shown as a feature thus far, but it's entirely possible. Not only that, when the media's stored on the PS3 itself, there's no need to stream it anyway. It'll never be a Media Center Extender, but the amount of people with a Media Center PC is small at the moment.
"x. 360 releases high def camera, muting Sony's eye toy"
Those with an EyeToy will be able to use the EyeToy for video. Those who didn't buy an EyeToy will be able to buy Sony's HD camera - I assume they'll release one.
"168. Sony will launch a Blu-Ray PS3 ($699) and a non-Blu-Ray PS3 ($499) at a substantial price difference, hence no need for HDMI on the cheaper unit (you can output HD gaming over Component, just not encrypted movies)."
If they're going to do that, why have they been talking dataset sizes and all this junk at us since E3 '05? And what happens when the new game you want to play is Blu-Ray only? Not going to happen.