Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Book covers creation of PS3's Cell processor, how Microsoft cribbed it for Xbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/31/book-covers-creation-of-ps3s-cell-processor-how-microsoft-crib/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/31/book-covers-creation-of-ps3s-cell-processor-how-microsoft-crib/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/31/book-covers-creation-of-ps3s-cell-processor-how-microsoft-crib/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Written by two designers of the Cell processor, The Race for a New Game Machine, is a new book covering the creation of Sony's ambitious PlayStation 3 chip, and how Microsoft got a hold of its architecture for the Xbox 360. The Wall Street Journal, which gave a rather gloomy forecast for the PS3 earlier this week, has an extensive preview.

According to the book, Sony, Toshiba and IBM started working on the Cell in 2001 and planned to spend $400 million over five years. If everything went according to plan, the PlayStation 3 would be out by Christmas 2005. In 2002, Microsoft approached IBM about making a chip for what would later be known as the Xbox 360. IBM ended up making a new chip "built around the core" of the Cell it was currently creating for Sony. In the end, Xbox made the 2005 launch (with a time bomb under the hood) and Sony came out a year later.

As the WSJ points out, for all the power and money behind Microsoft and Sony's consoles, Nintendo has outsold both using a "sound strategic vision" with the less-powerful Wii.

JoystiqBook covers creation of PS3's Cell processor, how Microsoft cribbed it for Xbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellcell-processoribmmicrosoftPS3sonytoshibawall-street-journalwsjXbox-360Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumorang: Xbox 360 external Blu-ray drive ready, waiting]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/rumorang-xbox-360-external-blu-ray-drive-ready-waiting/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/rumorang-xbox-360-external-blu-ray-drive-ready-waiting/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/rumorang-xbox-360-external-blu-ray-drive-ready-waiting/#commentsFiled under: ,

blu-box
Aw, and we were just starting to miss our Blu-box graphic ... Sure enough, after several months of peaceful bliss, here we are again on the verge of an Xbox 360 Blu-ray announcement! Or not. Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology Corp. (not to be confused with plain old "Toshiba Corp.," which is apparently "strictly against Blu-ray") has allegedly been contracted to manufacture an external Blu-ray drive for Xbox 360, reports X-bit labs. The drives are rumored to retail at around $100 to $150 in an attempt to cut into PlayStation 3 sales (combine a $150 drive with the Xbox 360 Arcade, for example, and the total cost would be $350).

X-bit labs speculates Microsoft may launch the external drive this holiday, but with reportedly low sales, Blu-ray could likely wait until a proper CES unveiling. Still, we've got TGS popping off in mere hours and Blu-ray's clock ticking down every day. No time to waste then?

JoystiqRumorang: Xbox 360 external Blu-ray drive ready, waiting originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raybreakingnewsmicrosoftrumorangsamsungtoshibaXbox-360Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:28:00 EST<![CDATA[45nm Cell processors coming in 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/45nm-cell-processors-coming-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/45nm-cell-processors-coming-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/45nm-cell-processors-coming-in-2009/#commentsFiled under:

Sony, Toshiba and IBM will start mass production on a 45nm version of the Cell processor in 2009, according to Japan's Nikkan. We first heard about the 45 nm shrinkage in February 2008, when Ars Technica reported the smaller chips would run off only 80 watts of power (compared to the 200 watts of the 90nm Cell when the PlayStation 3 first launched).

There is no reported time frame indicating when in 2009 production will begin. The new chip will also be cheaper to produce, meaning Sony is approximately 200% more likely to use these for PS3 production as soon as feasibly possible.

[Via Engadget]

Joystiq45nm Cell processors coming in 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>45nmcellcell-processoribmPS3sonytoshibaMon, 22 Sep 2008 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba reportedly set to lose nearly $1 billion in wake of HD-DVD format death]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/16/toshiba-reportedly-set-to-lose-nearly-1-billion-in-wake-of-hd-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/16/toshiba-reportedly-set-to-lose-nearly-1-billion-in-wake-of-hd-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/16/toshiba-reportedly-set-to-lose-nearly-1-billion-in-wake-of-hd-d/#commentsFiled under:

In order to truly enter a format war, one must possess a number of things. The first, of course, is a viable format, unique from all others currently on the market. The second is the persistence to constantly push your format on as many film companies and consumer electronics producers as you possibly can, to ensure your victory. Finally, should said victory never come, you must possess a strong stomach and a wide wallet -- as losing a format war is a costly and heartbreaking endeavor.

According to the Nikkea Business Daily, Toshiba is learning this lesson to the tune of a ¥100 billion loss in revenue this year (to grasp the magnitude of this loss, here it is in numeric form: ¥100,000,000,000) or roughly $986 million in U.S. cash. We usually leave the economic speculation to the experts, but we're pretty sure that's a large sum of money that Toshiba would rather not part with. But as they say, in order to make an omelet, you've got to break a few eggs; though sometimes, you have to break 100 billion eggs, only to find that nobody wants to eat your omelet. Okay, nobody says that.

JoystiqToshiba reportedly set to lose nearly $1 billion in wake of HD-DVD format death originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100billionblu-raydvdformatformatwarhd-dvdhddvdps3toshibaSun, 16 Mar 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba moves to back the PS3 and the Cell]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/toshiba-moves-to-back-the-ps3-and-the-cell/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/toshiba-moves-to-back-the-ps3-and-the-cell/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/toshiba-moves-to-back-the-ps3-and-the-cell/#commentsFiled under: , ,

No, we're not kicking Toshiba while they're down. In fact, it's pretty much the opposite. When you read up on Toshiba's purchasing of some Cell manufacturing plants, you might start to imagine Sony and Toshiba have been in talks for quite some time. See, right after Toshiba announced its plans to drop HD DVD, they turned around and finalized a major business deal with Sony -- buying microchip processing facilities in western Japan for the advantageous price of $835 million USD.

Basically, starting in April, Toshiba is going to assist Sony in producing Cell and RSX chips. Take note that in days past, Toshiba didn't really sing praise to either of these technologies and wouldn't put them in their own products. Now they sing a different tune. Sony and Toshiba were in talks since last October about these facilities but couldn't agree on a price -- the fall of HD DVD may have led both to find a resolution and we're glad to have Toshiba on board.

JoystiqToshiba moves to back the PS3 and the Cell originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellrsxtoshibaMon, 25 Feb 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[It's official: HD DVD has officially died an official death]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/its-official-hd-dvd-has-officially-died-an-official-death/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/its-official-hd-dvd-has-officially-died-an-official-death/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/its-official-hd-dvd-has-officially-died-an-official-death/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We were pretty certain when we first heard the rumors, and we were even more certain when other sources said an official announcement was coming. Now that the official announcement from Toshiba has officially happened, we're officially 100% sure that HD DVD is officially dead. Official!

Well, maybe we should scale that back a little. Although lead company Toshiba has said they'll no longer make HD DVD players, they are reportedly stocking up on recordable HD DVD media for those who want to make their own discs (remember: BetaMax lasted for years as a professional recording format for broadcast outlets). And there's nothing preventing entertainment companies from continuing to put out HD DVDs if they want to. We don't know why they'd want to but hey. if people are still making Sega Genesis games, anything is possible.

JoystiqIt's official: HD DVD has officially died an official death originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayconsole warsConsoleWarsdeadformat warsFormatWarsHD DVDHdDvdPS3toshibaXbox-360Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba officially bows out of next-gen format war]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/toshiba-officially-bows-out-of-next-gen-format-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/toshiba-officially-bows-out-of-next-gen-format-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/toshiba-officially-bows-out-of-next-gen-format-war/#commentsFiled under: ,

While the news was already technically broken on Saturday by NHK, Toshiba has today held a press conference to tell the world that HD-DVD is being dropped. Toshiba will no longer develop, manufacture or market HD-DVD, bringing the shipping of hardware to retailers to a gradual halt by the end of March. The format war ends today with the much-signposted victory for Blu-Ray. This is obviously great news for PS3 owners (as well as would-be PS3 owners who were sitting on the fence about Blu-Ray).

We suspect we'll hear from Universal and Paramount before too long regarding their schedule for Blu-Ray releases. Finally we can expect to see films like Serenity and TV shows like Heroes on our favourite Hi-Def medium. Obviously, we'll keep you up to date with any announcements these studios make. The "war" is finally, officially, over. How does that make you feel?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

JoystiqToshiba officially bows out of next-gen format war originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayformat-warhd-dvdtoshibaTue, 19 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba responds to 'HD DVD is dead' rumors]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/toshiba-responds-to-hd-dvd-is-dead-rumors/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/toshiba-responds-to-hd-dvd-is-dead-rumors/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/toshiba-responds-to-hd-dvd-is-dead-rumors/#commentsFiled under:

Let's be honest guys, it hasn't been the best week for team HD DVD. Retailers have been dropping support left and right, wild speculation has been running rampant across the internets and Engadget even put HD DVD on their "death watch" list. Ouch. Rumors have even been swirling that Toshiba will be announcing the death of HD DVD as early as sometime this week. But we're guessing Toshiba isn't ready to pull the plug yet as earlier this morning they put out a statement regarding that rumor saying that "the media reported that Toshiba will discontinue its HD DVD business" but "Toshiba has not made any announcement concerning this." They go on to say that "although Toshiba is currently assessing its business strategies, no decision has been made at this moment." Toshiba also confirmed that Toshiba likes to refer to itself in third person.

So, there you have it. Toshiba isn't throwing in the towel just yet or they simply aren't ready to announce that they will be throwing in the towel. Still no answers and all bad news for HD DVD ... humph.

JoystiqToshiba responds to 'HD DVD is dead' rumors originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hd-dvdhddvdtoshibaMon, 18 Feb 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba drops HD DVD; Blu-ray wins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/toshiba-pulls-hd-dvd-support-blu-ray-wins/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/toshiba-pulls-hd-dvd-support-blu-ray-wins/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/toshiba-pulls-hd-dvd-support-blu-ray-wins/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The rumors were true. Japanese news source NHK (english translation and Reuters validation) is reporting that Toshiba is planning to drop support of HD DVD, striking a final blow to the format and conceding victory to Blu-ray. The Sony-backed high-definition disc has been gaining strides for some time, most notably after Warner Bros switched to Blu-ray exclusively. Toshiba is expected to face hundreds of millions of dollars in losses.

The so-called "format wars" seems to be at an end, and now we're left to ponder about the future, such as how big is the office party Sony is throwing in honor of its victory? More related to video games, might we see a future Blu-ray add-on (and subsequently rumors of a built-in drive) for the Xbox 360?

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[Via Engadget; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqToshiba drops HD DVD; Blu-ray wins originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raybreakingnewshd-dvdPS3sonytoshibaXbox-360Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[It's really over, folks - Toshiba drops HD DVD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/its-really-over-folks-toshiba-drops-hd-dvd/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/its-really-over-folks-toshiba-drops-hd-dvd/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/its-really-over-folks-toshiba-drops-hd-dvd/#commentsFiled under:

Everyone, let's get together. This is (hopefully) going to be the last HD DVD/Blu-ray news you'll ever read (we're saving one post for when Microsoft joins the Blu-ray camp). After the obvious death bells were ringing, Toshiba has finally called it quits. Although HD DVD players will still be sold in stores for now, Toshiba will abandon all new production of players. Most likely, they will be quick to create a Blu-ray player of their own.

According to Reuters, "Toshiba is expected to suffer losses amounting to tens of billions of yen (hundreds of millions of dollars) to scrap production of HD DVD players and recorders and other steps to exit the business."

That's what happens in a high-risk all-or-nothing format war. Sony must feel pretty good right about now, especially after historic defeats with Betamax, ATRAC, UMD, and more. Blu-ray in PS3 was a risky gamble: it created a price point that many mocked, and generated a good amount of negative publicity for the Japanese electronics giant. However, it was also the Trojan Horse that allowed it to gain such a large percentage of the HD-aware mindset. With this victory, it appears that Sony's plans are finally coming together.

[Thanks, Jason B.!]

JoystiqIt's really over, folks - Toshiba drops HD DVD originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayhd-dvdtoshibaSat, 16 Feb 2008 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Don't even trip, Financial Times -- Paramount is sticking with HD-DVD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/13/dont-even-trip-financial-times-paramount-is-sticking-with-h/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/13/dont-even-trip-financial-times-paramount-is-sticking-with-h/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/13/dont-even-trip-financial-times-paramount-is-sticking-with-h/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you just bought an HD-DVD player attachment for your Xbox 360, don't feel completely discouraged about the recent movements in the home entertainment industry. While it definitely seems as though Blu-ray has soundly won the format war, Viacom Inc. owned Paramount Studios recently issued a statement saying they would continue producing HD-DVD movies.

The statement was a correction to a recent Financial Times article saying that the company was following in the footsteps of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., and adopting Blu-ray as their sole HD format. Following a brief plunge in the stocks of Toshiba (the company most invested in HD-DVD technology), Paramount issued a statement pledging their allegiance to the format less blue. Looks like it's time to hunker down for the long haul, people -- it might be a while before the clear victor for the Battle of the Formats is decided.

JoystiqDon't even trip, Financial Times -- Paramount is sticking with HD-DVD originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayblurayformatHDhd-dvdhddvdtoshibaSun, 13 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba, further curious about the Cell, puts it in a laptop]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/12/toshiba-further-curious-about-the-cell-put-it-in-a-laptop/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/12/toshiba-further-curious-about-the-cell-put-it-in-a-laptop/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/12/toshiba-further-curious-about-the-cell-put-it-in-a-laptop/#commentsFiled under:

The Cell processor, a key component in the PS3, has been making headlines all over the place this week. This latest bit of news for your mastication and consumption comes from Toshiba again. Remember how they put the Cell in an HDTV just for kicks? Now they've slapped the sexy processor in a laptop. It makes up the backbone of their new Spurs Engine -- a laptop that has motion-sensing, video-indexing, face-morphing, upscaling madness.

Imagine footage from a mobile phone or camera getting processed heavily from their crappy resolution into 1080p -- this laptop can do it and from the demonstrations, it doesn't look that bad at all. It's not going to look like it's 1080p, but it won't be blocky and horrid to look at. YouTube lowered our standards, after all. We'd talk more about it, but there's a video of the demonstration available -- check it out and get ready to wish for another electronic device to utilize the Cell Processor.

JoystiqToshiba, further curious about the Cell, puts it in a laptop originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellcell-processortoshibaSat, 12 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The possibilities of a HDTV powered by Cell]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/the-possibility-of-a-hd-tv-powered-by-cell/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/the-possibility-of-a-hd-tv-powered-by-cell/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/the-possibility-of-a-hd-tv-powered-by-cell/#commentsFiled under:

What would a TV be like if it used the Cell Processor as the base for its technology? Toshiba asked themselves this question and built a prototype television utilizing the Cell and we have to say -- it's almost sensory overload. First off, real-time upscaling of regular ol' TV to high-definition is done flawlessly. No need to pay a premium for HD channels, we guess. The TV will do you one better -- in addition to upscaling the picture, you can actually zoom in on the picture being shown in real-time and the picture will auto-focus and re-upscale itself. Impressive? You bet. Useful? If you're analyzing a sports game, perhaps.

How about this: instead of channel surfing one channel at a time, the Cell allows your television to display multiple channels simultaneously. It's like picture-in-picture, but 48 of them. Or 24, depending how you interpret our math. Clicking on one of these thumbnails brings up the video in the bottom half of the screen while the top half continues to stream the other channels; push whatever the button is again and it moves to full-screen. These small thumbnails are in standard definition -- if they were in HD, the TV would only be able to stream six of them at once. Other features haven't been decided on yet, but with that at the very outset you can bet this will be the ultimate TV set to own in the coming years. Color us impressed.

JoystiqThe possibilities of a HDTV powered by Cell originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellcell-processortoshibaFri, 11 Jan 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 still open to Blu-ray add-on should HD-DVD fail]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/xbox-360-still-open-to-blu-ray-add-on-should-hd-dvd-fail/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/xbox-360-still-open-to-blu-ray-add-on-should-hd-dvd-fail/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/xbox-360-still-open-to-blu-ray-add-on-should-hd-dvd-fail/#commentsFiled under: ,


Following Warner's departure from the HD-DVD ship last week, Microsoft is once again fielding questions regarding the future of its Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive add-on. As is consistent with comments made previously by Scott Henson and Peter Moore, the HD-DVD supporter is still open to a Blu-ray drive should Toshiba's high-definition film format meet its demise. Speaking to Reuters, Xbox's group marketing manager Albert Penello has called it "something we'll have to consider" if "consumer choice" demands it.

Microsoft's initial decision to keep HD-DVD separate from the Xbox 360 hardware has always been trotted out under the "consumer choice" banner, with cost reduction cited as an immediate benefit. Of course, it also makes bailing out a lot easier should white flags start to go up. It may seem strange to envision Microsoft supporting a format so entwined with a competing console, but the company's not likely to shed a tear for discs when there's money to be made in the Xbox Live Video Marketplace.

Update: A further comment from Microsoft emphasizes that despite Penello's comments, HD-DVD hasn't gone away just yet: "Microsoft currently has no plans at this time to consider Blu-ray as an option. We continue to believe that HD DVD is the best optical solution for consumers, since it's the only format today that delivers quality experiences at affordable prices."

JoystiqXbox 360 still open to Blu-ray add-on should HD-DVD fail originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayCESCES-2008HD-DVDMoviesToshibaWarnerXBLMXbox-360Xbox-LiveWed, 09 Jan 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Speculation: Microsoft may integrate HD DVD into Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/speculation-microsoft-may-integrate-hd-dvd-into-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/speculation-microsoft-may-integrate-hd-dvd-into-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/speculation-microsoft-may-integrate-hd-dvd-into-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: ,

This Sunday will mark the end of an era: Bill Gates is going to deliver his final CES keynote in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, the rumor mill continues to churn, unwilling or unable to pause briefly and reflect on the legac ...

... whoa, sorry about that. On to the rumor du jour: Seattle Times staff columnist Brier Dudley speculates that Microsoft "may be preparing to license the Xbox gaming platform to consumer-electronics companies." While you look up 3DO on Wikipedia (we'll help you out), we'll continue with the specifics of this speculation. Dudley envisions a Toshiba-built 'box bundling "a digital video recorder with a hard-drive, high-definition HD-DVD drive and Xbox gaming capabilities." Alternatively, Microsoft could forgo the licensing and bundle that HD DVD drive themselves "putting it on par with Sony's PlayStation 3 that has a built-in Blu-ray drive."

The rumors regarding an integrated HD DVD drive have been swirling about for some time (Toshiba says "no comment"), so Dudley could be basing his speculation on the old "where there's smoke, there's fire" adage. Guess we'll know soon enough.

JoystiqSpeculation: Microsoft may integrate HD DVD into Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill-GatesCESHD-DVDMicrosoftToshibaXbox-360Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony pulls out of nanochip R&D]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/sony-pulls-out-of-nanochip-randd/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/sony-pulls-out-of-nanochip-randd/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/sony-pulls-out-of-nanochip-randd/#commentsFiled under:

In additional cost-reducing maneuvers, the troubled Japanese electronics giant has announced that they're no longer going to develop the manufacturing technology for producing microchips with circuitry of 32 nanometers or less. These responsibilities will be handled by partners Toshiba and IBM. This announcement comes week after the sale of both Cell and RSX graphics chip facilities to Toshiba.

Shares of Sony were up 0.5 percent after the announcement.

JoystiqSony pulls out of nanochip R&D originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nanochipsonytoshibaWed, 07 Nov 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony sells PlayStation 3's Cell to Toshiba]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/18/sony-sells-playstation-3s-cell-to-toshiba/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/18/sony-sells-playstation-3s-cell-to-toshiba/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/18/sony-sells-playstation-3s-cell-to-toshiba/#commentsFiled under: ,

As expected, Sony has sold off their Cell chip operations to Toshiba for an estimated ¥100 billion ($858 million), giving the one-time partner in the Cell project manufacturing responsibility for the PlayStation 3's much lauded brain.

So, Sony's ailing electronics division gets a much needed cash infusion and Toshiba presumably gets back to work on that first non-PS3 Cell device and that's it? Nope. Sony, and their PlayStation video game unit will continue to invest in the Cell chip (you didn't think they were just going to drop it off at Uncle Toshiba's house and leave, did you?). Of course, we've been told deals like these take a little time; expect this one to be completed by March.

[Via Engadget]

Read - Sony to Sell Chip Operations to Toshiba [AP]
Read - Toshiba press release

JoystiqSony sells PlayStation 3's Cell to Toshiba originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CellPS3SonyToshibaThu, 18 Oct 2007 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony agrees to sell PS3 chip lines to Toshiba]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/18/sony-agrees-to-sell-ps3-chip-lines-to-toshiba/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/18/sony-agrees-to-sell-ps3-chip-lines-to-toshiba/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/18/sony-agrees-to-sell-ps3-chip-lines-to-toshiba/#commentsFiled under:

Sony has officially announced a deal where they will sell Cell production facilities to Toshiba. The Cell chip, which was developed in part by IBM and Toshiba, is regarded as the main reason why PS3 is so powerful. Production facilities for the chip will be sold to Toshiba in a deal that's worth an estimated 130 billion yen ($1.1 billion US).

Due to the sluggish sales of the console, Sony will need to reduce losses from the games division to something more acceptable. Osamu Hirose, analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Center, notes that this is a good step in the right direction for the beleaguered electronics company. "In this context, the spin-off of the chip business, which requires continued and heavy investment, is positive for Sony," he said.

Sony will also sell RSX (the graphics chip of the PS3) manufacture to Toshiba. Sony stock rose 0.6 percent after the announcement.

JoystiqSony agrees to sell PS3 chip lines to Toshiba originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellrsxtoshibaThu, 18 Oct 2007 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony considers selling manufacturing facilities to Toshiba]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/sony-considers-selling-manufacturing-facilities-to-toshiba/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/sony-considers-selling-manufacturing-facilities-to-toshiba/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/sony-considers-selling-manufacturing-facilities-to-toshiba/#commentsFiled under:

The second time in less than a month, Sony is supposedly considering selling its chip manufacturing plants to rival electronics company Toshiba. According to a report by Reuters, "Sony was in negotiations with Toshiba to sell its manufacturing facilities in Nagasaki, also in western Japan, for advanced microchips including the Cell microprocessor." The Cell processor is a vital part of the PS3 architecture and is one of the costliest and most powerful aspects of the system.

Although both companies have declined to comment, the Business Daily Nikkei has estimated the sale value of the production facilities at 100 billion yen ($856 million).

[Via Next Generation]

JoystiqSony considers selling manufacturing facilities to Toshiba originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellsonytoshibaThu, 04 Oct 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba to use Cell-based chip in PCs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/toshiba-to-use-cell-based-chip-in-pcs/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/toshiba-to-use-cell-based-chip-in-pcs/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/toshiba-to-use-cell-based-chip-in-pcs/#commentsFiled under:

When Sony, Toshiba and IBM began development on the Cell processor, they had bigger plans for it than just running PS3s, and it looks like Toshiba has been hard at work to put it to more use.

Daily Tech reports that Toshiba plans to take the Cell processor out of the PS3 and extend it for use as a graphics chip in its notebook PCs. Toshiba has coined the new technology SpursEngine and should unveil its first laptop using the graphics chip at the CEATEC JAPAN 2007 conference in early October.

However, the truly interesting piece is DailyTech's speculation that Toshiba may have even more plans for the SpursEngine beyond just PCs. It could look to eventually implement the technology in other consumer electronics, including its line of HD DVD players. Now how dastardly, would that be?

[via FiringSquad]

JoystiqToshiba to use Cell-based chip in PCs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellcell-chipcell-processorcpuibmsonytoshibaWed, 26 Sep 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reuters: Sony in talks to sell chip manufacturing to Toshiba]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/17/reuters-sony-in-talks-to-sell-chip-manufacturing-to-toshiba/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/17/reuters-sony-in-talks-to-sell-chip-manufacturing-to-toshiba/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/17/reuters-sony-in-talks-to-sell-chip-manufacturing-to-toshiba/#commentsFiled under:

Reuters is reporting that a Sony is in talks to sell its chip production facilities to Toshiba, according to "sources close to the matter." The 100 billion yen (about $870 million) deal is reportedly set to finish in a few months and will include the lines for Sony's PS3-powering Cell processor.

Does this mean Sony is giving up on its much-hyped computer-on-a-chip? Not likely -- Reuters says any deal would probably include a Sony/Toshiba joint venture to ensure a steady supply of Cells for Sony systems. The transfer of ownership would provide a cash influx for Sony and probably help Sony cut overhead costs related to staffing and upkeep at the plants.

The move isn't totally out of left field for Toshiba, which helped in the development of the Cell chip along with Sony and IBM and has expressed interest in using the Cell in non-gaming devices

JoystiqReuters: Sony in talks to sell chip manufacturing to Toshiba originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellchipplantproductionPS3sonytoshibaMon, 17 Sep 2007 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[BJ's Wholesale goes Blu-ray]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/27/bjs-wholesale-goes-blu-ray/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/27/bjs-wholesale-goes-blu-ray/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/27/bjs-wholesale-goes-blu-ray/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Another blow to HD DVD came today as BJ's Wholesale Club will bounce the format from its shelves in the fourth quarter according to VB, a Variety company. Just like yesterday's news about Target going with Blu-ray players, if Wal-Mart's Sam's Club went Blu-ray it'd be a much bigger deal, but BJ's is a large company on the East Coast (particularly the North East). BJ's will continue to sell HD DVD format products on their website.

Although Microsoft previously stated they were standing by HD DVD, they may need to review their statements from January if they don't want to "charge customers $200 extra for something that may be the next Betamax." If the domino effect continues it might be at least worth considering an affordable Blu-ray attachment to the Xbox 360 -- despite Blu-ray being a Sony format. It's pretty simple, give HDTV consumers the option of a Blu-ray attachment for their Xbox 360, or have them thinking the PS3 is a game machine and an HD movie player in one affordable package (you know, further down that 10 year line). Then again, if direct digital content gains a foothold, it may all be a moot point anyway.

JoystiqBJ's Wholesale goes Blu-ray originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 16:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bjsblockbusterblurayhddvdPS3sonytargettoshibaXbox-360Fri, 27 Jul 2007 16:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Blu-ray player drops to $500, now cheaper than PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/sony-blu-ray-player-drops-to-500-now-cheaper-than-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/sony-blu-ray-player-drops-to-500-now-cheaper-than-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/sony-blu-ray-player-drops-to-500-now-cheaper-than-ps3/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray player has been dropped $100 in price to $499, putting it below the price of the PlayStation 3.

Sony, who once touted the PS3 as the cheapest Blu-ray player on the market, has appeared to have crossed off its own talking point. But if priced the same, the BDP-S300 would be a tough sale against the game console, whose only apparent benefit is quieter hardware.

We don't want to suggest the PS3, now with only one model in North America, may drop below the $600 threshold, but the Blu-ray player's reduced price may indicate that the manufacturing costs for Blu-ray components have lowered, making the console less of a loss leader for Sony.

The High Definition disc format is still competing against the Toshiba-backed HD-DVD for market share. The cheapest standalone HD-DVD player still costs $100 ($200 this Father's Day) less than the BDP-S300.

[Via Engadget; thanks, Jonah]

JoystiqSony Blu-ray player drops to $500, now cheaper than PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bdp s300BdpS300blu rayBluRaybusinesshard wareHardWarehd dvdHdDvdPS3sonytoshibaTue, 05 Jun 2007 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Blu-Ray and HD-DVD under investigation by sleuths]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/31/blu-ray-and-hd-dvd-under-investigation-by-sleuths/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/31/blu-ray-and-hd-dvd-under-investigation-by-sleuths/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/31/blu-ray-and-hd-dvd-under-investigation-by-sleuths/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The European Commission has recently initiated an investigation into the two new formats of media being released, namely, our lovely Blu-Ray and the less-lovely-but-still-worth-a-look HD-DVD. No, Sherlock Holmes was not called in on this detective's dream, but an unofficial probe was. "Under what charges?!" demands Sony and Toshiba, spear-headers of the two formats. The EUC responds: "The Commission suspects that the licensing terms the companies are applying breach European competition rules." Egads!

An unnamed spokesman for the EUC told reporters that they had sent letters to the "makers" of Blu-Ray and HD-DVD to request licensing info, but refused to name names. Sony did that for them, eagerly telling the world they received one of the letters and have agreed to cooperate openly. Good move, since Toshiba and other HD-DVD makers have refused to comment or go public about the claims. Well, however the initial investigation goes, the EUC will either drop the whole thing or create a large anti-trust probe investigation. Let's hope it's the former so we can get our PS3's in a few months. Please!

JoystiqBlu-Ray and HD-DVD under investigation by sleuths originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Jul 2006 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-RayEuropean CommissionEuropeanCommissionHD-DVDPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyToshibaMon, 31 Jul 2006 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cell Processor abilities may be luck of the draw]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/14/cell-processor-abilities-may-be-luck-of-the-draw/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/14/cell-processor-abilities-may-be-luck-of-the-draw/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/14/cell-processor-abilities-may-be-luck-of-the-draw/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In a recent interview at DailyTech, they sat down with IBM vice president of Semiconductor and Technology Services Tom Reeves. He discussed the abilities of the cell processor and, more importantly, the inability to successfully create many working 8-core units. The cell processor is so complex that "IBM even accepts chips that have only four out of the eight cores working." Egads! Hopefully those aren't going into our PS3's, right? No worries. However...

Sony won't allow cell processors with less than seven working cores. But they aren't clear when it comes to using seven or eight. Will it be a throw of the dice when we buy a PS3 as to whether we have a working 8-core processor or one with only 7 working bits? Would making the lower SKU accept the 7-core be any better? If that seventh one shorts out and you had the PS3 with only seven working cores, you have to send it back to Sony or IBM or Toshiba to get it fixed. That's a pain and it depends on your warranty. No matter what, they need to get these things working because November is pretty close.

JoystiqCell Processor abilities may be luck of the draw originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jul 2006 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Electronics company Ricoh has announced that it has mystically created an "optical component that reads and writes all disk formats-Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD, as well as DVD and CD-with one pickup and one objective lens," says a report at EETimes. July 12-14 is the International Optoelectronics Exhibition outside of Tokyo and the device will make its public debut at that time.

How does it work? Diffraction, friends. Diffraction:
"The diffraction plate is placed between lasers and an objective lens. The diffraction grating is designed to adjust a light beam to an optimum incident ray relative to the objective lens so that light focuses on the proper position for each disk format." Neat.

Does this bring a short stop to the console/format wars before they have even begun? Would Sony ever consider delaying the PS3 further to incorporate this type of technology? That is doubtful and doesn't really matter too much, most likely. Initially this technology is just for disk players, but someday it may reach console merit. Until then, the wars will continue, if only on gaming/multimedia consoles.

JoystiqOmni-Disc player discovered, ceasefire to be signed? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Jul 2006 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayoptical driveOpticalDrivePlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonytoshibaTue, 11 Jul 2006 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ricoh device reads, writes Blu-ray and HD DVD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/ricoh-device-to-play-blu-ray-and-hd-dvd/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/ricoh-device-to-play-blu-ray-and-hd-dvd/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/ricoh-device-to-play-blu-ray-and-hd-dvd/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ricoh player compatible with Blu-ray and HD DVD
Ricoh has apparently solved the Blu-ray vs. HD DVD dilemma, and plans to introduce an optical device that reads and writes both next gen storage formats. The secret is a special diffraction plate that automatically compensates for thickness variation in the protective layers of each format, allowing a single laser to read data stored on either type of disc.

It seems unlikely that Sony or Toshiba will ever incorporate Ricoh's technology into their new players, but hopefully we'll have many third party players to choose from. If nothing else, this should spark good water cooler debate. How many of you have already started purchasing movies in the new formats?

JoystiqRicoh device reads, writes Blu-ray and HD DVD originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Jul 2006 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayhd dvdPCPS3ricohsonytoshibaXbox-360Mon, 10 Jul 2006 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Copy-Protection shield for Blu-Ray, HD-DVD cracked]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/copy-protection-shield-for-blu-ray-hd-dvd-cracked/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/copy-protection-shield-for-blu-ray-hd-dvd-cracked/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/copy-protection-shield-for-blu-ray-hd-dvd-cracked/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The next generation of optical media is riddled with safety and anti-piracy mechanisms (think the AAC encoder on Sony's music program Sonic Stage ...what a pain). With this encryption in mind, movie producers felt they could rest easier, knowing their works of art (debatable at times) could not be plundered by CyberPirates, or Cyrates.

But avast, mateys! A loophole has been discovered and it's fairly elementary. The first Blu-Ray enabled PCs have the ability to take a lovely full resolution screenshot whilst a movie is playing. Manipulate that Print key (Prt Sc for the hunt n' peck typists out there) so it takes pictures to match the frames per second of the actual movie and you've got a pirated video track! Snag the audio separately and voila -- a super HD movie free for distribution.

Sony and Toshiba are going to counter this with updates for the video players and graphics card that will close the loophole before too much damage is done. Still, kudos to the magazine c't that found said loophole and Heise Security for bringing it to our attention.

JoystiqCopy-Protection shield for Blu-Ray, HD-DVD cracked originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Jul 2006 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayheise securityHeiseSecurityPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3sony vaioSonyVaiotoshibaMon, 10 Jul 2006 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba man hints at internal HD-DVD 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/30/toshiba-man-hints-at-internal-hd-dvd-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/30/toshiba-man-hints-at-internal-hd-dvd-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/30/toshiba-man-hints-at-internal-hd-dvd-360/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Assuming the mouthpiece behind this piece of chatter, we'll have to take this all with a grain of salt. However, IT Wire in Australia has spoken with Mark Whittard, general manager of Toshiba's Information Systems Division in Australia, about the possibility of an internal HD-DVD drive making it into next generations of the Xbox 360 before the end of the year. He is quoted as saying:

"The Xbox [360] is coming out with an HD-DVD player towards the end of this year. ... I would imagine that there are plans in place to put an HD-DVD drive internally in future revisions of the product. They're not speaking about it publicly at the moment but I would expect them to do that and fairly soon."

It can be hard to imagine this becoming a reality, unless production costs are reduced dramatically sometime soon. Considering the flack Sony and the PlayStation 3 have received as far as pricing with their costly Blu-ray drive included, to have the 360 price stay the same or even inch a bit higher wouldn't be the most prudent business decision. Besides, who really needs an HD-DVD player anyway?

[Thanks, James, via Eurogamer]

[Update: GameDaily Biz spoke with an unnamed Microsoft exec who said what Toshiba's Whittard is saying simply isn't true. They quote him as saying: "We feel that offering the drive externally is the best way to give consumers the ultimate choice to create their own high definition experiences. We have no plans to release the Xbox 360 with an internal HD DVD drive."]

JoystiqToshiba man hints at internal HD-DVD 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Jun 2006 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HD-DVDHD-DVD 360Hd-dvd360PS3ToshibaXbox-360Fri, 30 Jun 2006 13:21:00 EST<![CDATA[With our powers combined... Blu-ray + HD-DVD [UPDATED]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/27/with-our-powers-combined-blu-ray-hd-dvd/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/27/with-our-powers-combined-blu-ray-hd-dvd/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/27/with-our-powers-combined-blu-ray-hd-dvd/#commentsFiled under: ,

Some want it, others don't. Either way, Sony is going to get Blu-ray into your home one way or another. That's their plan anyway, thanks to the PlayStation 3. Like we've said before, it's not just about the games this time and Sony is in it for the long haul.

That's what makes this little bit of information so intriguing. What would happen if a Blu-ray partner like Samsung, who is technically not supposed to mess with HD-DVD, decides to foster a partnership with Toshiba in an attempt to make a hybrid player? Everyone is talking format wars with HD-DVD and Blu-ray going head-to-head. But what happens when you have a machine that can play both?

Having a dual-player would essentially take the "war" out of the formats. And with Sony trying to smuggle their medium into homes via the next-gen PlayStation, how is this move going to affect their strategy? It gets even more interesting with talks about making an HD-DVD/Blu-ray hybrid disc to go along with it. The kicker is this: Sony knows the PS3 is a good deal, as a Blu-ray platform, as they're trying to appeal to non-gamers with it as well. But would non-gamers still want to invest if they can have their cake and eat it too with a hybrid machine that can play both formats?

[UPDATE: Well, looks like you can cut through this rumor like a knife through warm butter. Check this out for the skinny on the mess. So all of the above is more of a hypothetical scenario. Yeah, that's it-]

JoystiqWith our powers combined... Blu-ray + HD-DVD [UPDATED] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Jun 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blublu-raydvdhdhd-dvdplayerplayersplaystationps3raysamsungsonytoshibaTue, 27 Jun 2006 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Second-guessing Sony]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/24/second-guessing-sony/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/24/second-guessing-sony/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/24/second-guessing-sony/#commentsFiled under:


Feel like some good old-fashioned Sony speculation? Next Generation may have just the thing for you. An opinion piece published on the site talks about Sony's involvement in the battle between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, and the repercussions an early launch may have for Sony.

According to their commentary, by launching the Playstation 3 in time to threaten Toshiba's HD-DVD-fronted assault on the marketplace, Sony may be able to force Blu-Ray on both consumers and Hollywood. This might drive Toshiba out of the running completely and let Sony win the high-definition war.

However, as the article points out, it's pure speculation. Nobody really knows what Sony's up to, but we might find out soon enough.

[via /.]

JoystiqSecond-guessing Sony originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jan 2006 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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