From nhk.or.jp:
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Toshiba Corporation has decided to withdraw from next generation high-definition DVD production.

The company said it will continue to sell HD-DVD products for a while but will stop further development of HD DVD. Meanwhile, it said its DVD factories in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan, would be closed.

Market observers said that Toshiba could suffer a loss of hundreds of millions of US dollars.
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Full Story: nhk.or.jp
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From gameinformer.com:
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January was an especially good month for the PlayStation 3, as evidenced by sales figures released by the NPD Group. The system is continually hyped as being the best Blu-Ray player on the market, which might have helped boost sales, though its increasingly impressive 2008 lineup certainly didn't hurt things for Sony, either.

Here are the complete NPD lists:

Hardware
Wii--274,000 units
PLAYSTATION 3--269,000 units
Xbox 360--230,000 units
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Full Story: gameinformer.com
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From highdefdigest.com:
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The nation's top retailer will phase out its HD DVD support by early summer.
That's the official word this morning from Wal-Mart, first announced on the company's gadget blog, CheckOut.com.

According to Wal-Mart execs, the company will begin emphasizing Blu-ray in both brick-and-mortar stores and online over the next thirty days, with plans to completely phase out HD DVD movie and hardware sales by June 2008. The company will continue to sell DVDs and standard-definition hardware.

Today's announcement from the retailer comes on the heels of news earlier this week that both Netflix and Best Buy had endorsed Blu-ray.
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Full Story: highdefdigest.com
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From engadget.com:
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Sharp just introduced their latest, itty bitty blue laser. While maintaining the same 3.3-mm diameter of their previous package, Sharp's new GH04P25A4G semiconductor laser manages to boost the power to 250mW. That little trick should make 6x recording speeds to dual-layer BD media in laptops a reality. They've also announced a similarly speced 5.6-mm (GH04P25A2G) jobbie for desktops.
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Full Story: engadget.com
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From kotaku.com:
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When PlayStation Network director Eric Lempell was asked by the mag if the now BC-less console kills any chance of offering PS2 games via the PlayStation Store, as it does for original PlayStation games, Lempel said "We haven't talked about that yet, but there are possibilities through technology and software emulation to make that possibles."

Lempell chose not to talk about "specific plans at this point" but that doesn't mean we can't hope. And pray. And start online petitions.
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Full Story: kotaku.com
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From nyko.com:
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Coming March 2008
(Limited Early Release Edition without rumble in select retailers now)

Experience innovation with the Zero wireless controller for PlayStation 3. The Zero controller is an entirely new ergonomic design, built to maximize comfort for all players while providing a unique and stylish appearance. With full six-direction tilt functionality and vibration support, the Zero is fully compatible with all PS3 software and control schemes. The Zero is powered by an included NiMH rechargeable battery that provides up to 25 hours of wireless gameplay. When necessary, simply plug the included charging cable into the PS3s USB port and play and charge the controller simultaneously or use the included AA battery pack. The Zero is the first controller to feature LED back-lit action buttons, heat dissipating aluminum panels and a hybrid metal-resin design. The Zero is the paramount in controller precision, design and engineering.

Features:
* Unique metal polymer resin hybrid design for optimal grip and comfort
* Full 6 direction motion control and vibration support
* Rechargeable NiMH battery with USB charging cable provides up to 25 hours of play time
* Backlit LED analog face buttons
* State of the art wireless chip set with a range of up to 30 ft
* Precision analog sticks, buttons and triggers provide maximum durability
* Heat dissipating aluminum panels
* LED charge indicator light
* AA battery pack
* Choose from 3 unique designs
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Full Story: nyko.com
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From engadget.com:
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The HD DVD camp, still reeling after losing support from Netflix this morning, may feel flattened as Best Buy has announced it will officially promote Blu-ray as the HD format of the future. Starting in early March the store will showcase Blu hardware and software on its shelves and website, and switch from its current neutral stance, to recommending Blu-ray to any customers that ask.
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Full Story: engadget.com
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From gamesindustry.biz:
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Netflix has announced that it will be phasing out HD-DVD movies in favour of Sony's Blu-ray format, stating that the movie industry has already chosen a winner in the battle of hi-definition formats.

Movies on HD-DVD, developed by Toshiba, will be dropped from the online rental service by the end of the year, with the company stating the format war has been damaging to consumers.

"The prolonged period of competition between two formats has prevented clear communication to the consumer regarding the richness of the high-def experience versus standard definition," commented chief content officer Ted Sarandos.

"We're now at the point where the industry can pursue the migration to a single format, bring clarity to the consumer and accelerate the adoption of high-def.

"Going forward, we expect that all of the studios will publish in the Blu-ray format and that the price points of high-def DVD players will come down significantly. These factors could well lead to another decade of disc-based movie watching as the consumer's preferred means," he said.
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Full Story: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From terrasoftsolutions.com
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Yellow Dog Linux v6.0 Delivery Schedule

1. Available from YDL.net Enhanced accounts and pre-installed with Sony PS3s -- Tuesday, February 5, 2008.
2. Available from the Terra Soft Store -- Monday, February 18, 2008.
3. Available from the public mirrors -- Monday, March 3, 2008.
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