From ps3fanboy.com:
[QUOTE]
Expectations for the PS3:
* 48% have extremely high expectations
* 32% have high expectations
* 18% don't expect much of the system at all

Favorite parts of the PS3:
* 19 votes for visual power
* 10 votes for overall hardware specs
* 9 votes for cell processor computation abilities
* 3 votes for built-in hard disks
* 3 votes for Blu-ray
* Also mentioned: PSP connectivity, online functionality, SIXAXIS, and just... brand name strength.

Overall expectations of the console war:
* 60% believe in the power of the Wii
* 37% believe in the awesomeness of the PS3
* 3% were bribed to believe in the XBox 360 (it's a joke -- don't flame)
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Read More: ps3fanboy.com and ign.com

From gizmodo.com:
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Today brings us the first ads for the Sony PS3. Once again, not much is learned about the PS3 from the ads other than that we're encouraged to "Play B3yond" and that the PS3 is so powerful is causes clocks to melt. It kinda remind me of Dali.

From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
ITmedia reported the results of a Japanese survey, which asked respondents to mark which next generation console they plan to buy by the end of the year.

The Wii came out on top with a 40 percent share, but the more expensive PlayStation 3 followed very close behind with 39 percent.
The Xbox 360 remains the underdog in Japan by far, with 16 percent of respondents showing a preference for Microsoft's console. Three percent selected "other."
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Read More: next-gen.biz

From psm3mag.com:
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OK. Here's the independent, non-Sony approved truth. We've played a PS3, for a day, in a room, with it on a table in front of us. At no stage did anyone comment about the noise it made (ie, next to none). And a collegue put his hand behind the machine after it had been running for a few hours and felt warm air being quietly and safely extracted via a fan via the vents at the back of the machine. The surface of the machine remained at room temperature with a small portion at the back being 'warm'. Not hot - 'warm'.

So, the PSM3 independent verdict here is that - quote - "PS3 generates less heat and noise than the combination of 360 and powerbrick".
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Read More: psm3mag.com

From itnews.com.au:
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Sony will lose at least US$560 million from its predicted earnings this year as it pays for huge battery recalls and a price cut for its PlayStation 3 games console, analysts believe.

The company has also been hit by allegations that it knew its notebook PC batteries could catch fire a year ago, but failed to understand the magnitude of the problem.
The mounting cost of problems with notebook batteries and the PlayStation 3 will cut Sony's expected US$1.1 billion profits in half this year.

This figure could rise further, according to industry analysts, particularly if PC vendors or consumers take legal action against Sony. Five major notebook vendors have so far announced battery recalls.

In addition, a decision to slash the price of the PlayStation 3 in Sony's strong home market will cost a total of US$220 million, the analyst predicts.
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Read More: itnews.com.au

From gamespot.com:
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Games will need to provide a variety of add-on options and keep on developing after their release to survive in the next-generation market, according to Michael Denny, vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studio Europe. Denny spoke at the London Games Summit today.

According to Denny, developers need to realise that the ability to personalise, customise, and download extra game content is going to be essential to the success of their games. "We face more than just a console generation transition," Denny said. "An 18-year-old today has never known a world without broadband, mobile phones, or MP3s."
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Read More: gamespot.com

From the press release:
[QUOTE]
Logitech today unveiled the Logitech ChillStream controller for PLAYSTATION3, the company´s first product designed specifically for Sony´s next-generation gaming platform. With an innovative built-in fan-based cooling system designed to keep the hands of gamers cool and dry, the ChillStream controller will be the only gamepad for the platform to offer this exclusive, patented technology. Logitech also announced that several of its products already on the market will be fully compatible with the new PLAYSTATION 3 console.

"The PLAYSTATION 3 is sure to be a powerful gaming platform and we are pleased to offer a range of peripherals available at launch," said Ruben Mookerjee, Logitech´s director of product marketing for gaming. "And by extending our ChillStream technology to a controller designed for PLAYSTATION 3, we are able ensure that gamers will have the best experience and play with one of the most advanced technologies on the market."

Logitech ChillStream Technology
Logitech´s patented ChillStream technology includes a built-in 40 mm fan that circulates up to 3.41 cubic feet of air every minute, while generating very little noise. Three narrow vents on each side of the controller push air directly onto the four fingers, the base of the thumb and the palm of the hand. The air stream can be used in one of three settings -- high, low, or off.
[/QUOTE]

From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Immersion CEO Vic Viegas responded to recent comments made by Sony Computer Entertainment America boss Kaz Hirai regarding the expensiveness of rumble implementation in the PS3 controller.

Viegas said in a phone interview, "[Hirai's] saying that [combining rumble and tilt in a controller] isn't a technical problem any longer, so I'm glad their engineers figured that out--even though we knew the day after [Sony's press release] how to do it."

Viegas continued, "But now [Sony] seems to say that the solution for the two technologies to work side-by-side is too expensive. ... [Immersion] knows of ways to combine these two technologies without incremental increase to the cost. We've helped at least one other party do this as well. It doesn't really make any sense to me to say that the solution is really more expensive. I just don't believe it is."
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Read More: next-gen.biz

From the press release:
[QUOTE]
Nyko Technologies, a premier peripherals manufacturer, announced that they will be releasing the Intercooler for Sony's PlayStation3 computer entertainment system this holiday season. This device easily connects to the PlayStation 3 using patent-pending technology that works with the systems power port and vent system. Once attached, the high-efficiency external fan placement dramatically increases internal air flow and allows the console to run at optimal temperature levels. The Intercooler for the PlayStation 3 will be available between $19.99 and $29.99 at major retailers.

"The Intercooler for the Xbox 360 is a hit with gamers and critics, providing piece of mind that their state-of-the-art next generation console is running at optimal performance levels," said Chris Arbogast, Marketing Manager at Nyko Technologies. "We are confident that the Intercooler for the PlayStation 3 will deliver equally impressive results for consumers that demand the most from their console while protecting their investment."
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From ps3.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
Wondering how you'll be interacting with your PS3 once you manage to actually get your hands on Sony's next generation console? If you have a PSP, you'll have a good idea of the system's basic Cross Media Bar (XMB) interface, but today Sony Japan provided a close-up look at the specific PS3 version. Point your browser here to see all the icons for yourself.

Since the site is in Japanese, here's a guide. From left to right, the icons are as follows. Appearing below the main headers are the options that will appear when you select the individual icons.

USER
# Add a newuser

SETTINGS
# Setting Update
# System Settings
# Sound Settings
# BD/DVD Settings
# Date and time Settings
# Security Settings
# Music Settings
# Accessory Settings
# Network Settings
# Chat Settings
# Display Settings

PHOTO
# Folder

MUSIC
# Super Audio CD
# Music CD
# Folder

VIDEO
# BD-ROM / BD-R / BD-RE
# DVD Video / DVD-VR / DVD+VR / AVCHD
# Folder

GAME
# Game Data Management
# Memory Card Management (PS/PS2)
# Save Data Management
# PlayStation 3 Game Disk

NETWORK
# Remote Play
# Internet Browser
# PlayStation Store

FRIENDS
# Friend Registration
# Players With Whom You've Played
# Message Box
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Read More: ps3.ign.com

From next-gen.biz:
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David Karraker, senior director of corporate communications with SCEA, responded to Next-Gen's inquiry regarding the TGS overheating accusations in Gibson's aforementioned report:
* Despite the report from Macquarie Securities implying that they had heard of reports of PS3's needing to be rebooted at TGS, SCEI are not aware of any instances of this occurring at TGS, nor have we received any reports from third parties to such effect.
* On the Press Day on Friday, and throughout the weekend the PlayStation stand was inundated by specialist gaming media, the majority of whom would have noticed if there had been a general problem with console overheating.
* The environmental conditions at TGS conspire to test any electrical item. In the case of PS3, the combination of pre-production software, running on pre-production debug units, enclosed in demonstration units without ventilation, and surrounded by so many eager fans that on Saturday and Sunday it was almost impossible to move, are bound to prove a challenge.
* If indeed, there was the occasional unit that needed rebooting, it was due solely to the adverse environmental conditions within the Hall and not to any more general problem with PS3.
* PS3 does not suffer from an overheating problem.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: next-gen.biz

From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Hirai told games website Kikizo in a recently posted Tokyo Game Show video interview, "The issue when we're talking about trying to have motion sensing as well as a vibration feature, is trying to isolate the vibration feature from the motion sensors. Is it technically feasible? Absolutely."

However, Hirai said that a tilt-control-enabled controller coupled with rumble technology would be too pricey for many customers.
He continued, "But the other problem, or the balancing act that you need to do, is to be able to present the controller to the consumer at an affordable price. We have one controller in the box, but many consumers will want to go out and get an extra controller. And if we have to come up with technology - which you can technically do - to isolate the vibration from the sensing, if that means that the controllers are going to be so expensive, then we're doing the consumer a huge disservice by coming up with a controller that is not very affordable.
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Read More: next-gen.biz

From ps3.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
TGS came and went just last week, but it never dies down in Makuhari! Everyone's favorite convention center is now home to CEATEC Japan, an annual electronics and computer show, which kicked off on 10/3 and will continue until 10/7.

Japan's Impress Watch provided some impressions of browser use. Using the Six Axis controller (that's the PS3 controller's official name, in case you just woke up), you move a cursor around with the left analogue stick and use the right stick to scroll the screen up and down. Circle is for making selections, with L1 and R1 serving as back and forward buttons. Links can be open in a second window, which lines up next to the current window. The windows can be toggled between using L2 and R2. The site reports that, thanks to the PS3's compatibility with high resolution monitors, webpages are easy to look at when browsing on the PS3.

To see what web browsing looks like on the PS3, check out Impress Watch's article. The two browser pics are located close to the bottom of the page.
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Read More: ps3.ign.com

From lik-sang.com:
[QUOTE]
Sony's PlayStation 3 is only one month away, with its official release date set to November 11 in Japan and November 17 in the USA.

Virtually place yourself in the waiting line at Japanese videogame shops and let Lik Sang do the dirty work for you. Conditions are quite flexible and there is strictly no money involved. No need to wait for the department store next door to finally get its stock a year later. The price at Lik-Sang.com will remain $0 until we have secured the best possible purchase prices, as many units as possible, and until further details emerge from our suppliers all around the world.

You'll also find a number of official launch titles for the same $0 pre-order price tag in our PlayStation 3 category, but please take into account that some of these games may still be delayed or new ones may get added by Sony to the official launch title list. In any case, you'll always have the final word of what games you want us to ship with your console. By the way, if you have already placed your Special Pre-Order, you can now head over to your my Account page and add them to your list.

Extra note: Be prepared that the day-1 prices will be much higher than the manufacturers suggested retail price. Experienced and veteran hardcore gamers, who are not importing a system for the first time, know that buying a PS3 at launch or a PSP at launch is not the same thing as simply buying a mere PlayStation 3 or a random PSP off some supermarket shelf. You're paying for the privilege of getting it two months before the massive overflow. Especially with the long forecasted shortages (only 100.000 units for Japan at release date), MasterCard would call that 'priceless'. There is never enough of the good stuff on a launch day, and Lik Sang is required to pay premium pricing to get earlybird stock in sufficient levels for everybody. We can only extend these offers to you during the first couple of months, while waiting for the market to stabilize. But that's the beauty of the No Money Down Special Pre-Order system, you can always ignore day-1 prices and wait for a few more days, a few more weeks, or even several months, until the price goes down to an acceptable level. Without ever losing your pre-order position!
[/QUOTE]

Pre-Order PS3 (no-money-down / no risk / not binding): lik-sang.com

From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
A report from Macquarie Equities analyst David Gibson helped spur investor concern over Sony's next generation machine.
"While the reason for [the PS3's technical difficulties] is unknown, we suspect it may be due to overheating as a result of enclosing the units and the high temperatures at the [TGS] venue," Gibson wrote in a report. "We are concerned that such a problem has occurred so close to full production and is clearly negative news for the company."

Sony spokesperson Nanako Kato clarified the company's position on the matter to the Associated Press, saying that the 200 PS3s at TGS were grouped closely together in poorly ventilated in kiosks causing overheating issues and subsequent failures.
Kato said, "It's not a problem with the PlayStation 3 unit itself. For a normal player at home, there shouldn't be any problem."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: next-gen.biz

From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Jamie MacDonald, VP of SCE Worldwide Studios Europe, has told GamesIndustry.biz that he believes digital distribution will overtake discs within the next five years.

Speaking after his keynote at GDC London this morning, MacDonald said the industry is currently experiencing a "paradigm shift" as the cost of games production increases and there is a move toward a "network-centric world". This, he argued, will have significant implications for the way developers make games, the revenue streams they are able to exploit and the way products are delivered.
"In five years' time, my belief is that the majority of content won't be delivered on disc. That has many implications for developers and the way we organise our industry," MacDonald said.

But according to MacDonald, "The thing about Blu-ray discs - and this is the crucial thing - is that not any time soon will you be able to download the amount of content you need for a big triple-A title down a typical 2, 4 meg broadband connection. That's not going to happen now or in the next year.
"So Blu-ray is absolutely needed for the high definition content in the games that we'll be producing. The network-enabled world, for the initial period, is much more about updated content, object sales, but also titles which are not these blockbuster titles."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gamesindustry.biz

From ps3.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
Sony Computer Entertainment Interactive announced today the first official set of PlayStation 3 peripherals for Japan.

* The so-called "Six Axis" controller, model number CECHZC1J, will be available on 11/11 for 5,000 yen. [~42usd or ~33eur]

* The remote's official name is BD Remote Controller, apparently to indicate the device's convenience for Blu-Ray disk playback. Model number CECHZR1J, the remote control will cost 3,600 yen [31usd~ or ~24eur], but it won't be available until 12/7. The device will use Bluetooth to interact with the PS3.

* Finally, the memory card reader, which will help you maintain your PlayStation/PS2 save game collection. Officially called the Memory Card Adapter, this device, model CECHZM1J, will retail for 1,500 yen [~13usd or ~10eur] when it sees release on 11/11.

US and European pricing for these devices have yet to be announced.
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Read More: ps3.ign.com

From gamepro.com:
[QUOTE]
For members of the press who didn't get a chance to go hands-on with the PS3 at this year's Tokyo Game Show, or for those who simply want more uninterrupted time with the console, Sony will be giving a behind-the-curtain peak at the system's launch lineup on Thursday, October 19th in San Francisco.
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Read More: gamepro.com

From ps3fanboy.com:
[QUOTE]
The manager of the store told me there was a meeting in Texas to discuss the PS3 preorder crisis that weekend and now, we have our answer. Which is no answer.

That's right. GameStop hasn't decided whether or not to do the preorder crisis for the PS3, remembering the 360 shortage and the insanity that followed. Selling out of both the PS3 and Wii is practically guaranteed, so they're... waiting to decide. This pretty much means they won't take preorders.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: ps3fanboy.com

From gizmodo.com:
[QUOTE]
Sony is ramping up their hands-on PS3 promotion with a new kiosk at Bic Camera in Kawasaki. I'm not sure if the design is meant to scare off children or attract gorillas, but we are sure that Sony put some major hardware behind the unit. We're talking about 4 hi-def Bravia displays that must make the costs of such installations incredibly expensive, even for Sony.