From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
We fired up a voice chat -- after setting up our regular USB headset (thank you Sony!) -- and things worked perfectly. But it was just regular, old, boring voice chat, so Cheapy plugged in his PS2 EyeToy camera which worked instantly (our Xbox Live Vision Cam, however, simply snickered, "What? Were you serious?").

Despite Cheapy being in Tokyo, the audio quality was notably better than the Xbox 360's (due in no small part, we're sure, to the wired headsets we were both using).

Here's Penny Arcade view on the US PS3 Launch:

More reports on violence on the PS3 launch day in the US ...

* Read - Sony Style in Boston -- Things go wrong
* Read - CT man shot outside Wal-Mart, suspects still on the loose.
* Read - Armed robbers steal 5 PS3s from Ohio EB Games store.
* Read - Riot breaks out at Circuit City.
* Read - Police use pepper balls to control crowd in Tyson, VA.
* Read - Escaped rapist apprehended in Best Buy PS3 line.

Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
It's official: eBay PS3 auctions have gone to plaid. Prices for the console are now appearing on the auction site ranging from just over $2,000 for the 60GB boxed console alone to $15,000 "Buy it Now" deals that include games, extra accessories and extended warranties.

Around 10,000 results came back from a site search of PS3 systems.
Most auctions hover around the lower point of the range at about $2500, which represents a price tag more than four times the MSRP of the $600 60GB hard drive-equipped PS3.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: next-gen.biz
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
The North American launch of the PlayStation 3 really began at Wal-Mart. Sony's well publicised events in San Francisco and New York were aberrations. There, many hundreds of fans were able to secure a system; for the country between those two cities, the story was quite different.

At four in the morning, in Austin, Texas, the streets were deserted; the temperature was four degrees Celsius. Some people already had their PS3s. Inside a Wal-Mart Super Centre, a store employee named John was stacking televisions.

Just hours before, the store made its limited stock of units available to those waiting in line. It happened at midnight, and that was it, John said.
"It was pretty painless... Except for the 20 people waiting in line hoping someone's credit card would get declined."
The store only had six units to sell: "Four of the good ones, two of the ham-strung ones." Other Wal-Mart stores were promised ten units, but only got six.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From mcvuk.com:
[QUOTE]
Sony has told MCV that it has begun taking action against grey market importers, after ‘entrepreneurs' began selling hundreds of Japanese PS3 units in the UK.
In particular, the platform holder has informed Trading Standards of a company called Mastercash, which has told UK consumers that it can provide gamers with PS3s before Christmas.

A Mastercash poster at London Bridge railway station proclaims ‘PlayStation 3 - Order Now For Christmas', giving a £1.50-a-minute phone number for customers to call. A recorded voice on the other end of the line asks customers to leave their details, explaining that Mastercash will deliver either a Japanese or US console when one becomes available.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: mcvuk.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
From the same attention whores that brought you SmashMyiPod.com (or .org, can't remember which), comes SmashMyPS3.com. The launch came. A PS3 was purchased by donor dollars. And it got smashed. The site explains:

"We decided to take the whole smashing thing a little further, and destroy things right when they come out, in front of 100s of fanboys who would be quite upset to see their beloved game console smashed. I got nothing against Sony making money. This project only exists for the sole purpose of providing satisfaction to people who hate the PlayStation 3, or just like seeing the reaction of the people who just spend a day in line to get their hands on one of these consoles. Entertainment, nothing more!"

From news10.net:
[QUOTE]
Just hours before their highly-anticipated release, Elk Grove Police investigators are searching for two armed men who robbed a video game store Thursday, making off with four PlayStation 3 game consoles.

The two armed hooded gunmen walked into the GameStop store at 7717 Laguna Blvd. around 10:20 a.m. Thursday and demanded employees turn over the gaming systems, according to Elk Grove Police spokesman Chris Trim. Trim said the robbers took four of the consoles and four XBox 360 systems before making their escape.
[/QUOTE]

Note: I have an idea for a new RockStar franchise ... "PlayStation Launch".
Read More: news10.net
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gizmodo.com(1)/gizmodo.com(2):
[QUOTE]
* The PS3's online network is free, save for purchasing games and various other things, so you don't have to set up billing when you sign up. Also, take a look at the screen name we signed up with.
* The overall layout of the store is straightforward, presented with tabs and a download list.

From the press release
[QUOTE]
Sony launches its PlayStation 3 games system in the US this Friday, but Microsoft's Xbox 360 is facing even greater pressure to produce a strong holiday season, according to the latest report from Strategy Analytics. To meet its target, the Redmond, WA, giant must sell four million consoles over the gift-buying season, notes the report, "PS3/Xbox360: Pressure On Microsoft As Well As Sony In Q4 Console Shootout," published by Strategy Analytics' Connected Home Devices service.

"Sony will sell everything it can make of its new system," notes David Mercer, Principal Analyst. "But Microsoft has already had a year in the market to cream off early adopters, so the next few weeks will demonstrate how much pent-up demand there really is for the Xbox 360, and how many disappointed PS3 buyers are willing to switch camps."

The report predicts global sales of nearly 9 million next-generation games consoles during the last quarter of 2006. The Xbox 360 will remain the leading system through most of 2007 but the PS3 will be catching up by the end of the year and is still set to become the dominant platform of the next generation. The report predicts that more than 120 million PS3s will be sold through 2012, compared to 60 million Xbox 360s and 23 million Nintendo Wiis. North America will account for more than 50 percent of all console sales over this period.

Cumulative Sales 2005-2012 - Millions Units
* Sony PS3: 121.8
* Microsoft Xbox 360: 59.7
* Nintendo Revolution: 23.3
[/QUOTE]

Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

It looks like people lining up for the PS3 in North-America are getting violent ... look at this craziness:
* Campers and local news reporter shot with BB pellets
* Guy robs 10 New Yorkers in line at gunpoint
* 60 people fight over 10 PS3s, one guy's face goes into a pole.
* Near riot takes place as SF PlayStation store tries to move line
* Wal-Mart shuts down when fight erupts over moving line from inside to outside
* Future Violence: Best Buy camping only starts at 5:00 am launch day, melee to erupt at 4:59
* Line cutters pissing off everybody, fights erupt

News-Source: gizmodo.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From computerandvideogames.com:
[QUOTE]
Lucky gamers who manage to get their hands on an imported PS3 ahead of the delayed European release date can still use the PlayStation Network, despite the UK service not being live.

The UK PlayStation Network will not be up and running until March 2007 when the PS3 launches here but, interestingly, if you have an imported console in UK you will still be able to get onto the US network simply by entering a US address.

The US network has just gone live ahead of the launch tomorrow, so you will have access to English versions of the demos already available. There's a decent selection in there, including Resistance: Fall of Man, Motorstorm, NBA07, Formula One Championship Edition and others.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: computerandvideogames.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From ps3land.com:
[QUOTE]
In a surprising move, Sony has opted not to include a USB cable with their retail SIXAXIS controllers. A USB cable is required to charge the controller's integrated battery, otherwise, the controller is rendered useless.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: ps3land.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From next-gen.biz
[QUOTE]
So what are we left with? In 2006, PlayStation 3 isn't about what the system can do. It's about what the system will do. Yes, if you spend $600 you deserve to get $600 worth of entertainment. But it's a (minimum) six-year promise that Sony's making, and it'll take a while for the games to ramp up, as it always does. Is it worth it right now? No. Even the Blu-ray movie selection kind of sucks.

But will the PS3 be worth it in the end? There can't be a doubt. At a base level, Sony has achieved every function essential for this system to compete with the 360. You can argue the finer points, but if you suggest that the PS3 isn't exactly what it needs to be, you're simply wrong. It's the inheritor of the PlayStation legacy, and it's also a system that is a technical powerhouse and an attractive one, too. The PS3 is a must-buy - eventually. But is it worth $600 and a night in a parking lot? Not a chance.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: next-gen.biz
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gamespot.com:
[QUOTE]
SAN FRANCISCO--With the PlayStation 3's North American debut just hours away, the natives are growing restless. San Francisco natives, that is, who are gathering outside the city's Metreon shopping complex, site of the flagship SonyStyle store. Whether they were perched on the sides of metal barricades or seated comfortably in collapsible lawn chairs, the hundreds-strong crowd had gathered for a single reason--to be one of the lucky 400,000 American gamers to get their hands on a PS3 on launch day.

Despite the deteriorating sense of order, a Sony rep on hand said that everyone in line--which was pushing 1,000 by 8:45 a.m.--was still guaranteed a PS3. However, if the crowd's size continues to increase at the same rate it had this morning, that could swiftly change. However, as of press time, an SFPD rep could not comment on specific crowd-control plans, saying only that officers would be dispatched should the SonyStyle store--or any other retailer--call for backup.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gamespot.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
As of yesterday morning, British eBayers have been forbidden from selling PS3 units and games on the site until February 2007. Even then, each seller will only be able to offer one PS3, which must have been purchased within the EU.
Sellers must also guarantee dispatch within 30 days and can only accept payment via PayPal.

In the US, only sellers who have already taken part in 50 auctions or more and have at least 98 per cent feedback may offer PS3 pre-orders, according to an Associated Press report.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From pcworld.com:
[QUOTE]
Console makers often sell their hardware at a loss with the hope of profiting from the games that run on them. But Sony's loss on each PlayStation 3 will be unusually deep, according to iSuppli estimates released today.

The combined materials and manufacturing costs for each device come to about $806 for the model with a 20GB hard drive, excluding the cost of the controller, cables, and packaging, iSuppli said.

With a suggested retail price of $499, that would mean Sony is taking a loss of about $307 on each console it sells. The differential for the 60GB model is less, with the cost exceeding the price tag by $241.

By comparison, the materials and manufacturing costs for the hard-drive version of Microsoft's rival device, the Xbox 360 are $323, iSuppli estimated. That's less than the suggested retail price of $399.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: pcworld.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From threespeech.com (the "semi" official PlayStation Blog):
[QUOTE]
* What prototypes did the external design of PS3 go through?
* Phil Harrison: "There were two - no, three actually. One that was very much in the mould of traditional consumer electronics: slab fronted, and that never moved beyond the conceptual phase. This [the final design] is the one Kutaragi-san spent the most time on, although it did evolve a little bit from E3 2005. The basic shape is the same, even though it's a bit bigger. Then there was another one that was a bit more out there, but I can't tell you what it looked like because we may see it in other devices."

* Is episodic gaming something that you are keen to experiment with?
* Phil Harrison: "We are doing a couple of things which are bang on that objective. The area that I'm most excited about at the moment is empowering user-created content. Embedding the user creation tools into the game application and opening it up to a cloud of users. That's the trend I'm most excited about."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: threespeech.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From iht.com:
[QUOTE]
Sony's PlayStation 3 is fetching reasonable prices on Japanese Internet auctions, although the new video game console has commanded some outrageous bids that are mostly jokes.

There even appears to be a glut of the much-hyped machines because of schemers who bought it at the Japan launch Saturday, enduring long lines at retailers especially with hopes of selling it for huge profits.

In the U.S., bidders on eBay have pre-orders of more than US$1,000 (€779.79) for PS3 -- about twice the retail price.

But some of the 4,000 PlayStation 3 consoles up for auction on Yahoo! Japan Wednesday were downright bargains. Some had game software thrown in with the machine, selling near the retail price of about 60,000 yen (US$510; €400) for the more expensive model with a 60-gigabyte hard drive, and 50,000 yen (US$420; €330) for the cheaper model.

Yahoo! Japan spokesman Nobumitsu Iwaisaki said some PlayStation 3 machines were fetching millions of yen, but could not confirm a Japanese media report about a 2.1 billion yen (US$17.8 million; €13.9 million) bid.

The exorbitant prices turned out to be jokes, and were canceled before the sale was completed, as is common for popular products, Iwaisaki said.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: iht.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

Here's a video (via kotaku.com) of the Union Square line forming in front of a Circuit City for the Playstation 3 earlier today.

From reuters.com:
[QUOTE]
Sony Corp. said on Wednesday that online software upgrades to its new video game console, the PlayStation 3, will fix glitches that make some older PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games not run properly on the PS3.

Kaz Hirai, president and chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment America, told Reuters that more than 8,000 PS2 games will play on the PS3, and that so-called "firmware" upgrades will address problems found with about 200 games since sales of the PS3 started last week in Japan.

"We are aiming for perfect compatibility. Our goal is 100 percent compatibility," he said in an interview. "We are trying to get there as quickly as possible."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: reuters.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From ps3.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
As it turns out, gamers who own older HD sets that feature only 480i, 480p, and 1080i resolution input capabilities will have to settle for the display quality being downsized as the game boots in its 480p mode rather than upscaling the image from its more desirable 720p mode to the TV's 1080i. We tested this development on older HDTV sets with games designed for 720p but not 1080i -- Resistance: Fall of Man, NHL 2K7, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07, and Need for Speed Carbon. Sure enough, the system downshifted all four titles to 480p rather than moving up to 1080i.

It is not known yet if this is purely a software issue or a deeper technical problem and whether or not this lack of upscaling might be resolved on launch PS3 systems in future updates of the hardware via downloadable firmware patches.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: ps3.ign.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Sony Worldwide studios boss Phil Harrison has confirmed that allowing users to create their own content forms a major part of the company's strategy for PlayStation 3.

Speaking in an interview with Official PlayStation Magazine, excerpts of which have been published on Sony's "semi-official" ThreeSpeech blog, Harrison said, "The area that I'm most excited about at the moment is empowering user-created content. Embedding the user creation tools into the game application and opening it up to a cloud of users.

"I have to be really careful not to give the game away because we're keeping this secret, but don't think about it in terms of maps, think of it in terms of behaviours, environments, physics, rules... All the tools that you could want, but in a very consumer friendly way."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From the press release:
[QUOTE]
Fire International releases the World's first PS3 media management software to coincide with North American launch on 17th November 2006.
Convert, manage and transfer your digital media collection on both PS3 and PSP.
‘It's like iTunes for PS3' - comprehensive media management solution featuring an all-new user interface for PS3 AND PSP.

MOVIES - PC and DVD movies (with HD media support for PS3).
Convert movie files into AVC (.MP4) for playback on PS3 & PSP; including High Definition digital movies (PS3), non copy-protected DVDs, Xvid, DivX, MPEG 1&2, and AVI formats. Multiple video output selection allows optimum settings for both PSP and PS3, with PSP files automatically renamed in line with the PSP file format structure.
MUSIC - CDs, iTunes and digital music files.
Transfer music from your existing iTunes database. Convert your CDs to MP3 with auto completion of artist, track and album details via the online database. Attach album artwork to your MP3 music files. Simply drag-and-drop MP3, AAC and WMA files to your memory card or USB device for playback on PS3 and PSP.

IMAGES - Photos and digital images.
Manage your photo and image gallery for viewing on PS3 and PSP. Preview thumbnail images from within the Xploder software and simply copy them across to your portable memory device for viewing on the PS3 or PSP.
GAMESAVES - Access, download and manage the latest gamesaves for PS3 and PSP from the Xploder database. The in-application RSS feed sends alerts as new gamesaves become available for download to keep you ahead of the game.
Maximise your investment! - Xploder Movie Player and Media Manager is the perfect accessory to ensure that you get the most from your PS3 from DAY ONE!
Jason Cooper, Fire International, comments "As an official MPEG 4 Patent Licence holder, we're delighted to be first to market with such an advanced media management solution. It's a great credit to our team that it is available on day one of the North American release of PlayStation 3."
Available from major retailers from December 1st and to download from November 17th from www.xploder.net
[/QUOTE]

Official Website: http://www.xploder.net
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From digitimes.com:
[QUOTE]
There will be only 500 PlayStation 3 (PS3) game consoles available for sale in Taiwan during the product's launch on November 17, according to the Taiwan branch of Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong (SCEH).
[/QUOTE]

Read More: digitimes.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From ssjxxxl on our ps3scene forums:
[QUOTE]
Okay folks, here's the deal--
All of the numbers you see below (except maybe the West Hollywood number) are the quantities that Best Buy is expected to have at launch. I didn't bother to do all the 20 gb models, because I noticed an interesting trend as I was searching inventory. For every store that is getting the minimum shipment of 20 60 gb units (which is 20), they will also be getting only 6 of the 20 gb units, just like the ad scan says. For all stores getting over 20 of the 60 gb units, you will be receiving 10 of the 20 gb units.

Okay, so if you don't understand that:
20 of the 60 gb units = 6 of the 20 gb units
> 20 of the 60 gb units = 10 of the 20 gb units

Stores that are getting 40 of the 60 gb units are also receiving 93 of the 20 gb units.

Store #60 gb
54 20, 57 20, 58 40, 59 24, 104 24, 107 24, 109 40, 122 24, 128 24, 142 20, 144 24, 146 24, 148 20, 157 20, 164 24, 166 24, 168 20, 177 24, 184 40, 185 20, 190 24, 197 20, 200 24, 207 20, 208 24, 210 22, 211 20, 219 20, 220 20, 223 20, 252 20, 254 40, 256 20, 258 20, 260 24, 266 24, 267 20, 269 24, 271 20, 272 20, 273 24, 274 24, 283 24, 287 24, 289 24, 297 24, 306 22, 307 24, 308 24, 316 24, 317 20, 327 20, 327 20, 333 22, 335 20, 338 20, 341 20, 342 20, 356 24, 358 24, 365 20, 375 20, 382 20, 388 24, 393 248, 403 24, 408 40, 410 20, 416 20, 417 24, 419 24, 433 22, 434 20, 448 20, 453 20, 454 24, 455 24, 456 24, 465 24, 467 24, 470 24, 475 24, 477 22, 478 24, 483 24, 492 20, 497 20, 498 24, 501 24, 502 20, 511 20, 520 20, 521 20, 523 20, 526 20, 532 24, 534 24, 536 24, 537 24, 542 24, 544 24, 551 24, 552 24, 553 24, 554 24, 555 40, 556 24, 557 24, 563 20, 566 20, 571 24, 575 24, 580 22, 591 20, 598 22, 599 24, 600 20, 646 20, 667 20, 685 20, 790 20, 794 20, 801 24, 803 20, 808 20, 813 22, 817 20, 827 20, 835 24, 841 20, 851 20, 853 20, 869 22, 892 20, 946 20, 950 24, 1010 20, 1022 20, 1033 20, 1035 20, 1038 20, 1045 20, 1066 24, 1400 22
[/QUOTE]

Read More: forums.ps3scene.com

From biz.gamedaily.com:
[QUOTE]
We talked with Peter Dille, SCEA's Head of Marketing, about the PlayStation brand's marketing campaign this important holiday season.

By now, millions have already seen the various TV spots for the PS3. They've featured images as dynamic as a freakish goo-goo baby doll, an exploding Rubiks cube and eggs shattering against a wall, which then transform into fully grown ravens. It's all set in a simple white room with the black PS3 working its magic on the items that come close to it.

"It's really about the environment," commented Dille on the ads. "They're being used to symbolize the power of the PS3. Everything is being placed in proximity of the PS3 to bear witness to the power. It's designed to get people to scratch their heads and ask 'What's next?' suggest the 'Play B3yond' campaign and get the 11/17 date out.

"From our POV, baby was spawned from our desire to have a brand spot that was provocative and would evoke emotion and imagination. Rubik's was a creative way to get a feature/function benefit across - the Cell Processor is powerful and smart - in a simplistic, clean, metaphorical way," he explained. "There's another spot on the air right now with the SIXAXIS moving around objects around the room, conveying what the controller can do. We had to find a way to do this by metaphors to get people excited."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: biz.gamedaily.com (2 pages)
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gizmodo.com:
[QUOTE]
After leaving the SIXAXIS on the couch for a couple hours, we noticed the PS3's screensaver came on but the light on top of the controller was still active. When we picked up the controller, the screensaver turned off right away. So unlike the 360 and Wii, the SIXAXIS does not conserve battery life by shutting off when not in use.

In other news, the range on it is pretty good--probably similar to the 360's. I took it to the furthest corners of my apartment and I was still able to get reception/control the SIXAXIS.
[/QUOTE]

News-Source: gizmodo.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
In his latest interactive entertainment notes, Lazard Capital Markets' Colin Sebastian has made his predictions on the 'battle royale' set to take place this week as the Wii and PS3 see their official US lanches.

"We expect Sony to deliver 150-200k units to stores in the United States for the launch; consumers without pre-orders may find it difficult to locate an available system. We estimate sales of approximately 750k PS3s domestically by year-end. We expect a more robust launch from Nintendo, with at least 1.2 million units sold in the U.S. and up to four million units shipped worldwide by year-end."

In addition to predicting a strong push for Xbox 360 products due to a shortage in PS3 supply, Sebastian also says the newly launched consoles may not have as significant an impact on holiday sales.

He adds: "We expect less than 15% of software sales to come from the PS3 and Wii this holiday; the more numerous Xbox 360, PS2 and handheld platforms (DS and PSP) remain key drivers of growth," though, he predicts, "this fifth major platform transition is likely to be the largest product launch in the industry's history."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gamasutra.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Enterbrain, publisher of Famitsu, has revealed the the tie-in ratio of software to PlayStation 3 sales is 0.98 - less than one game per console.

The figure suggests that a portion of the 88,400 units sold were bought with the intention of selling on as part of the 'grey market', the unofficial channel for second hand machines via internet auctions and retail stores, which label the stock as 'used'.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gizmodo.com:
[QUOTE]
What's the first thing we did after we unboxed the Zune? We hooked it up to the PS3.

As you can see, Sony doesn't play well with Microsoft. Unknown USB device?
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gizmodo.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From redkawa.com:
[QUOTE]
PS3 Video 9 is a free video conversion application developed by Red Kawa. It allows you to convert your computer video files (like avi, divx, mpeg, etc.) into the specific video formats that are playable on the PlayStation 3.

PS3 Video 9 can also be combined with Videora, another software application, and together they can let you automatically download and convert video for your PlayStation 3 using BitTorrent and RSS technology.
[/QUOTE]

Download: here
Official Website: redkawa.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
GameStop director of public & media relations Chris Olivera told Next-Gen that its pre-order allocation for PS3s is lower than anticipated. "Sony did notify us that our initial shipment will not be what we expected," he confirmed.

Specific allocation numbers were not revealed.

Olivera said that GameStop stores are going to be filling launch day reservations in the order that the systems were reserved. In addition, starting tomorrow (Tuesday), stores will begin to call customers to let them know where they land on the reservation lists.

For consumers hoping to score their pre-ordered PS3s in time for Christmas, there may still be some hope, according to Olivera. "We are anticipating that we'll have enough systems to cover reservations well before Christmas."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: next-gen.biz
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From msnbc.msn.com:
[QUOTE]
* LEVY: You believe that when game developers learn the system, PS3 games will be superior. When will we see the difference?
* KUTARAGI: Maybe within a year. Many of the launch titles already have some of the graphics and the power there. But [titles like] MotorStorm and Ridge Racer and Gran Turismo are going to be released within a year, and that quality is exciting.

* Are you worried about the high cost of PS3--$500 and $600?
* I don't think so, because the PS2 was originally $299 in the United States. But the hard-disk drive was another $200. So the total price was almost equal to PS3's initial pricing.

* Do you envision people using PS3 as a home-media server, like a giant TiVo for people's movies, TV shows, music and personal content?
* Yes. Maybe in the near future, either from Sony or maybe from third parties, we will release a network storage system that contains multi-terabyte capacity.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: msnbc.msn.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From the 'semi' official PlayStation blog, threespeech.com:
[QUOTE]
Here's some more quotes from Phil Harrison which'll appear in the official PlayStation mag which launches on November 15. We hope to get a further instalment of this online tomorrow.

* PS1 saw the shift to 3D, PS2 had the explosion of free-roaming games after GTA III.... what changes do you expect PS3 to trigger?
* "You can see sparks of change in individual games today. On the visual side, there's full 1080p HD and what that means. You can see the artificial intelligence side of things in F1 and especially Resistance. You can start to see games doing some more interesting and unpredictable things on the physics side - particularly the kind of chaotic experience you get with Motorstorm. You can join those dots together and start to see how game development trends are going to be influenced. Its understandable why, day one, there isn't a single game that incorporates everything, but I think it will happen shortly."

* How often do you expect PS3 firmware upgrades to happen?
* "Right now we are focused on day one. I would imagine that there would be a firmware upgrade in time for the European launch. European consumers will probably get a step-up firmware upgrade, exactly as we did with PSP."

* Is there any way word on European price for the 20GB model?
* "We've never announced the price in the UK. The answer is no, but I'm sure it will be announced in due course. However, retail has told us that the vast majority of interest is in the 60GB model. But now the 20GB has HDMI as well there's no effective difference in the machines whatsoever, because all of the other functionality is available through a USB card reader."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: threespeech.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
A new report from analyst firm Compete has surveyed U.S. consumer demand surrounding the upcoming PlayStation 3 and Wii consoles, revealing continuing discrepancies between public concepts of the PS3's pricing and reality.

According to Compete's October 2006 survey of active current-generation console gamers, almost half (48%) of those considering a PS3 expect it to cost less than $300. When told of the PS3's actual retail price, 73% of all gamers and 59% of those considering a PS3 thought it was overpriced.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gamasutra.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gizmodo.com(1)/gizmodo.com(2):
[QUOTE]
* Find out what you're getting before you part with your rent money with our Blu-ray tour.
There were no skips and everything played back perfectly. For all the trouble that Blu-ray has caused Sony, they actually managed to get playback pretty much on target.

From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
According to videogame magazine publisher Enterbrain, Sony sold 88,400 PlayStation 3 units over the course of the weekend in Japan.

A Reuters report cited an Enterbrain official who said the launch is a "promising start" for the PS3. Large lines of PS3 hopefuls formed in Tokyo Friday night to get their hands on the limited-supply system.

Enterbrain also said that Namco Bandai is so far the big launch winner as far as publishers are concerned. Two of the company's titles, Ridge Racer 7 and Mobile Suit Gundam: Target in Sight, were the top two PS3 titles, selling around 30,000 copies each.
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Read More: next-gen.biz
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From ps3.ign.com:
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Sony may have included the PS2's CPU and GPU with every PlayStation 3 system, but the system still appears to be having some problems with backwards compatibility. Just in time for the PS3's second anniversary (the second day it's been on the market in Japan), Sony passed on the specifics.

Now accessible at the Japanese PlayStation.com site is a page for seeking out the backwards compatibility status of PS2 and PS1 titles. The Japanese page can be accessed here. By inputting the title, publisher name, release date or product number (an eight digit code containing four letters followed by a hyphen then four numbers), you can seek out the status of the 7,841 titles in Sony's database.

We did find a few problem titles by looking through the list. Here's a quick run down.
# Tekken 5: A number of modes don't play background music properly.
# Xenosaga Episode II: The opening movie sometimes stops and sometimes doesn't properly play background music.
# Code Age Commanders: Problems (including data loss) with save game data.
# Radiata Stories: Background music during movie scenes may not play back properly.
# Star Ocean Till the End of Time (includes Directors Cut): Movie scenes may not have proper sound playback.
# Driving Emotion Type-S: BGM may not properly play back during races
# Gran Turismo 4: The screen may freeze following the title demo.
# Hot Shots Golf 3/4: Some sort of problem with the controls becoming unresponsive
# Operator's Side: The game freezes at the logo screen when started up with the Seamic controller
# Onimusha Dawn of Dreams: Screen will occasionally appear 2cm to the right
# Hyper Street Fighter II Anniversary Edition: The screen will not appear correctly in some instances. The S.F.II Movie cannot play properly.
# Megaman X7: There are times when the background music won't play properly
# Devil May Cry: The screen will sometimes freeze during the title demo
# Onimusha: During movie playback, the sound will occasionally stop
# Suikoden III: Cannot read PS1 data during the game.
# Silent Hill 2: When going from the title screen to the demo screen, the screen may freeze
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Read More: ps3.ign.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gamesindustry.biz:
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Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has confirmed that the PlayStation 3 is still on track to launch across Europe in March 2007.

The clarification comes after Sony's Worldwide Studios boss Phil Harrison told the Official PlayStation Magazine that he "would not like to make any definitive statements," regarding the timing of the PS3 launch.
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Read More: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From engadget.com:
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Our crew out in Japan gave us the 411 on the P-TV video download feature; it seems that all of the content currently being offered on P-TV is anime clips and movie trailers -- nothing full length -- and it's all free.
Apparently there's also an account registration and payment method screen in with a shopping cart interface in the PlayStation Store, so it's entirely possible full-length downloads might happen in the future, a la Xbox Live Video.

From gizmodo.com:
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Previously, we thought the trigger buttons were too slippery and the controller too light. Now that we've gotten a lot more play-time with it, the SIXAXIS feels just like a DUALSHOCK. The R2 and L2 shoulder buttons are pretty squishy (that's good), and as long as you press it down in the middle of the pad, there's fairly little chance of slippage. The weight issue is negligible, and the lack of rumble was hardly missed. Since rumble was never a uniform thing throughout games, not having it doesn't really affect gameplay at all.
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Read More: gizmodo.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From kotaku.com:
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You will be happy to hear that both the Playstation 2 keyboard by Logitech and the PS2's EyeToy work on the Playstation 3.

With the EyeToy, I plugged it into a USB port and went to Accessories and then Test Camera on the console's menu. In Test Camera it first said no device found, but a few seconds later a live image from the camera popped up with the words USB Camera next to it. This makes me think that any USB camera might work and that it's not the EyeToy specifically being detected.
I tried using the Xbox 360's Vision Camera and while it detected that a USB device was plugged in, it didn't work. Too bad, that would have been hilarious.

From ps3.ign.com:
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* armdnrdy: Is there some kind of "sleep" mode like the PSP, where if you live a game or something running for a period of time the screen will go black.
* IGN: We tried desperately to find such functionality but couldn't find it. We tried tapping the power button on the system and the PS button. Nothing happened. About the only thing you can do is hold down the PS button to call up the ordinary system menu, which lets you quit a game, shut down the system and check the battery status of the controller. It also lets you change controller ports, but there's no "night night" mode. Too bad!

* Vash6318:What's the chat interface look like? Can you chat with multiple people at one time?
* IGN: The PS3 chat interface is a modified version of the one used by the PSP. The PS3 version supports predictive text input and the key layout is slightly different. It's actually a little more complex. But you can also plug in a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard and tap, tap away. As far as chatting goes, we've yet to take the retail PS3 online. But we'll do that next and tell y'all about it.

* Ken: Hi, Can you please look in the instruction manual and let us know what the standard warranty length is for the Playstation 3 is? Is it 1 year like the PSP or 3 months like the Xbox 360. Thanks in advance.
* IGN: The warranty info that came with our retail unit states the PS3 hardware is guaranteed against mechanical defects for one year. So yeah, not too shabby.
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Read More: ps3.ign.com
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From powerdeveloper.org:
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Power Developer is pleased to provide the relevant Linux support patches and documentation for running Linux on the Sony PlayStation 3.

Available for download today on Power Developer are the patches to Linux kernel 2.6.19 and corresponding documentation and bootloader required to make Linux boot on the Playstation 3.
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Read More: powerdeveloper.org (incl. downloads/docs)
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gizmodo.com:
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Curious as to what the PS3's hard-to-read user interface looks like? Watch the video to see all the submenus (excluding media, that's coming later).

Videos (4 parts) showing how to completely open and disassemble the PS3 have been posted on youtube.