From wired.com:
[QUOTE]
I asked Tretton (SCEA's executive VP) if PlayStation 3's online service would have a functionality roughly equivalent to Xbox Live's "Achievements" feature, which lets other players see how well you're doing with your Xbox 360 game library, both in terms of individual accomplishments and an aggregate "gamerscore."

Will PS3 have something like this?
The short answer: no.
The long answer: sort of, but it'll be game-by-game rather than "pan-platform."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: wired.com

From ps3.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
The PlayStation 3's menu has been knocked already as just being a rehash of the PlayStation Portable's menu, made hi-def and that's it. The first fact to knock down of that is that the PSP's menu in fact isn't the "PSP's menu" -- yes, many of us have only known about it since PSP, but the menu has been in a few Sony products already (including the suped-up PS2 / DVR hybrid released in Japan, the PSX), and has already been seen in some Sony cameras and TVs. The menu system is what Sony considers a company-wide standard, and its implementation in the PS3, while perhaps not making for the Gucci'est system on the planet, allows Sony to implement new features and to design integration for it quickly and invisibly across its many Sony products. It also allows users to use it easily, without ever wondering where things are that they need to access. If you know a PSP, you know a PS3, you know an XMB-equipped TV, etc.

Behind the simple looks are some very, very powerful features. The PS3's cell processor is put to some hard work on this menu, despite its simple look. We delved deep into the units on SCE's Gamers Day floor to see what it was capable of, and while a number of features were missing or inactive (the units used PS3 version 1.01, and a more complete version of the PS3 menu was already on display in the demonstration version used by Phil Harrison and the game developer guests at the event), there were also a few surprises.

* User
* Settings
* Photo
* Music
* Video
* Game
* Network
* Friends
[/QUOTE]

Read More: ps3.ign.com (9 pages)

Lik-Sang issued a press release about yesterdays announcement that a London High Court Judge ruled Lik Sang's sales of Sony PSP Consoles illegal
[QUOTE]
Hong Kong, October 20th of 2006 - Lik-Sang.com, leading online retailer for videogame systems, games and cutting-edge gaming gear, was today informed that Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc have obtained a judgment in the High Court of London ruling PSP sales of the popular web store to the UK and the European Economic Area (EEA) unlawful.

The court hearing took place on October 9 at the High Court of London, without Lik-Sang's legal representatives attending or arguing at the hearing. It is unclear at this point if this ruling will also affect exports of PlayStation 3 and other PlayStation-branded items. Furthermore, Sony intends to obtain an UK injunction against Lik-Sang's sales to the EEA.

The legal battle with Sony over Lik-Sang's legitimate exporting activities started during August 2005. Sony complained about the sales of PSP (PlayStation Portable) systems to Europe and launched a lawsuit in the High Court of Hong Kong, arguing that Lik-Sang advertises the Sony products "in a dishonest manner" and "unlawfully interferes with Sony's economical interests". They further launched a completely separate lawsuit against the Hong Kong based company in the courts of England for selling PSP consoles to customers in Europe and the UK, and also for mirroring the freely available PSP user guides on their servers alleging copyright infringement.

Hong Kong's laws are clear when it comes to parallel trade, and the company has no ties whatsoever with the UK. While Lik-Sang vigorously contested the UK's jurisdiction over the allegations, the judge apparently found that UK law should also apply to Hong Kong exporters. Sony has also threatened Lik Sang recently to initiate yet another lawsuit to prevent the sales of PlayStation 3 consoles to Europe.

How this decision will affect Lik-Sang's business is not entirely known at this time. The retailer is currently exploring its legal options and analyzing the consequences of this ruling.

"Fighting multiple lawsuits in different countries at the same time and paying high premiums to expensive lawyers is an overwhelming situation for a small company like Lik Sang. Launching separate court actions with separate claims and different judges is completely unnecessary, except for the fact that it helps reaching one single target: outspend Lik-Sang to death. Pay beyond", said Pascal Clarysse, Marketing Manager of Lik-Sang.com, clearly annoyed by the unfair situation. "And contrary to their claim, I don't believe they are suffering 'losses and damages' through Lik-Sang's activity".
[/QUOTE]

From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
We spent most of yesterday evening playing PlayStation 3 games ranging from the genuinely superb to the humdrum-but-still-impressive. It's fair to say that, despite our extensive coverage of Sony's bumbling difficulties these last few months, we're finally prepared to run around the room, arms waving, squealing in delight.

Sony and its third-party allies showed off some 20 or so titles at yesterday's event, offering playable versions of the sublime (Resistance: Fall of Man) to the gorgeous but ultimately plebian (Marvel Ultimate Alliance). And Next-Gen was there to separate wheat from chaff.
Read our impressions...
[/QUOTE]

Read More: next-gen.biz

From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
At various points throughout the night [at Gamers' Day 06] they needed to revive hot and sweaty consoles. But I only saw them pop one of the kiosks open once. Inside? Another PS3. What the hell? So I'm guessing the one on display is just there for eye candy and to distract wouldbe thieves while the gooey insides of the kiosks actually houses the strapped console.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: kotaku.com (incl. picture)

From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
Speaking with 1UP, Sony's Phil Harrison detailed plans to make most of the PlayStation (PS1) catalogue available for download on PlayStation 3 -- in addition to PSP. Harrison confirmed that a few titles will be available at launch, including Twisted Metal and Syphon Filter. The catch is you'll have to play them on your PSP, since PS3 currently lacks PS1 emulation software.

Once the patch is distributed though -- Harrison hopes by year's end -- each PS1 download will be playable on both PS3 and PSP, allowing us to enjoy treasured classics and rarities on-the-go and on the big screen. Just be warned, PS1 games will not be enhanced for your 1080p display.

Note: Actual PS1 discs will be playable at launch.
[/QUOTE]

News-Source: joystiq.com

From bloomberg.com:
[QUOTE]
Sony Corp., which slashed its profit forecast yesterday, said it may not reach this year's shipment target for the PlayStation 3 game console because of a parts shortage in the Blu-ray high-definition disc drive.

Sony plans to ship two million PlayStation 3 players this year to the U.S. and Japan, and six million worldwide by March. The Tokyo-based company said yesterday annual profit would fall 39 percent to its lowest in five years on price cuts of the console in Japan and a recall of 9.6 million computer batteries.

``The honest answer is it's more of a target'' for PlayStation 3 shipments, Jack Tretton, co-chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment America, said yesterday in an interview. ``Clearly we've had production issues.''
[/QUOTE]

Read More: bloomberg.com

From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
A report on GamesRadar.com observed that the pads do not feature removable battery packs, arguing this would render them "effectively useless" as wireless controllers after a certain number of charges.

But a Sony spokesperson told GI.biz, "This is a purely speculative story and is largely untrue. The latest generation of Lithium Polymer batteries hardly suffer any memory effect at all, so it'll be many years before there's any degradation in terms of battery performance."

The spokesperson went on to confirm, "When and if this happens, then of course we will be providing a service to exchange these items."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gamesindustry.biz

From ps3fanboy.com:
[QUOTE]
A mysterious product listing has popped up over at Ebgames that describes a magic "PS3/PS2 Controller Adapter." It's due out from the fine folks at Pelican in December and will alledgedly retail for a measly $4.99.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: ps3fanboy.com

From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
The company confirmed that "basic features" would be "offered absolutely free from day one."

The firm also noted Sony Computer Entertainment America's "open platform policy," which the company expects will open doors for developers as they create their online and network services.

The PlayStation Network will also offer the basic features that gamers have come to expect from such platforms. Multiplayer gaming, chat, voice or video communication, downloadable gaming content and online shopping will all be part of the PS3's online offerings.

The online PlayStation Store allows users to download "game demos, game-related content and downloadable casual games, including titles developed by Sony Computer Entertainment World Wide Studios exclusively for download and play only on PS3, such as Blast Factor." Downloadable first-party games will cost under $15 at launch, with more titles forthcoming. Sony said that Blast Factor was made by five people.

Smaller content such as game demos or small downloadable games can be re-downloaded up to five times on multiple PS3s using the same account.

In addition, gamers will be able to browse the web, store and view pictures and video, as well as download and listen to music on the console. The web browser will be included with the PS3 and will be free of charge.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: next-gen.biz

From engadget.com:
[QUOTE]
Sony's reaffirmed it's $500 / $600 price points today in the US, and released info on some of their accessories. The SIXAXIS will set you back $50 in the US, the PS / PS2 memory card adapter will hit you for $15, and the Blu-ray remote will be $25.
Also, the first half a million PS3 units will come bundled with "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," which won't be available independently of the console until December 12th.
Finally, Sony is touting its usual bit about the PlayStation Network, which, as has been stated before, supports voice and video chat, allows for web browsing, game and media downloads, and media playback.
[/QUOTE]

News-Source: engadget.com

From ps3.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
In detailing the media capabilities of the PlayStation 3 at today's SCEA Gamer's Day, Sony revealed that the PlayStation 3 will allow users to copy music from any CD onto the system. Once added, PS3 owners will not only have access to the music from the console, but can listen to their tracks using a PSP connected wirelessly to the PlayStation 3.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: ps3.ign.com

From prnewswire.com:
[QUOTE]
Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced its debut game titles and unveiled the online strategy for its highly anticipated PLAYSTATION3 (PS3) system, the company's groundbreaking computer entertainment system which will be available in North America on November 17, 2006.
More than 20 first- and third-party PS3 titles will be available through the holidays, resulting in the most robust software line-up ever offered by a new console at launch. The launch catalog encompasses the most popular game genres, featuring industry leading franchises as well as new intellectual properties to be released exclusively on PS3, with most titles expected to retail under $60.

SCEA launch titles (priced at $59.99 according to Gamespot):
* Resistance: Fall of Man
* NBA 07 (1080p)
* Genji: Days of the Blade

Third-party titles:
* Blazing Angels (Ubisoft) (multiplatform)
* Call of Duty 3 (Activision) (multiplatform)
* The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda) (multiplatform)
* F.E.A.R. (Vivendi) (multiplatform)
* Fight Night Round 3 (EA) (multiplatform)
* Full Auto 2 (Sega)
* Madden NFL 07 (EA) (multiplatform)
* Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (Activision) (multiplatform)
* Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire (Namco Bandai)
* NBA 2K7 (2K Sports) (multiplatform)
* Need For Speed Carbon (EA) (multiplatform)
* NHL 2K7 (2K Sports) (multiplatform)
* Rainbow Six Vegas (Ubisoft) (multiplatform)
* Ridge Racer 7 (Namco Bandai)
* Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega) (multiplatform)
* Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (EA) (multiplatform)
* Tony Hawk's Project 8 (Activision) (multiplatform)
* Untold Legends Dark Kingdom (SOE)
[/QUOTE]

Read More: prnewswire.com and joystiq.com

From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
Today at the Gamer's Day event in San Francisco, Sony revealed the prices for various peripherals. The Sixaxis controller will be $49.99, which is the same price as the wireless Xbox 360 controller and $10 more / less than the Nintendo Wiimote (depending on whether or not you include the nunchuk add-on). The age of $50 controllers is very frackin' nigh.

The PS3 memory card adaptor, that allows you to transfer PSOne and PS2 memory card data to the HDD, will only be $14.99. The BD Remote Control, which is "coming soon" (read: not available at launch) will be $24.99.
[/QUOTE]

News-Source: joystiq.com

From engadget.com:
[QUOTE]
Panasonic says that its new 4-layer 100GB Blu-ray discs are so durable that you'll be able to retrieve the data in 100 years' time (which reminds us a lot of the claims they originally made about CDs, as one may recall). The company has been at work for the last few years making use of "tellurium suboxide palladium-doped phase-change recording films" (or Te-O-Pd, for those in the know) to improve the capacity of its Blu-ray discs. But the company has now achieved what appears to be the optimal ratio for durability and size: a 100GB disc that will last you a century.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: engadget.com

From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
Sony's Kaz Hirai recently told Next Generation that they have a philosophical difference with their competitors when it comes to branding their online service. In other words, no PlayStation Live or PS3Connect24. Says Kaz:
"What we don't do however is have a brand name for the network service, you know, like PlayStation Online or PlayStation Live, and this is because we don't we don't see a 'PlayStation offline.'"
[/QUOTE]

Read More: joystiq.com

From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
In a statement today, Sony said losses from its PS3 operation will be higher than expected, partly due to the price-cut in Japan, and partly due to shortages and the European delay. The firm has also cut forecasts for PSP shipments by 3 million to 9 million.

Net income for the year ending March 31, 2007 will drop 35 percent from last year to 80 billion yen ($675 million). That's a 50 billion yen drop from July's forecast, since which the firm was hit by laptop recalls due to faulty batteries and various PS3 problems. Sony reported a second-quarter operating loss of 21 billion yen, compared with a 66 billion profit a year ago.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: next-gen.biz

From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Sony has warned that it will take legal action against anyone engaging in grey importing of its products after scoring a High Court victory over online retailer Lik-Sang.

In his ruling yesterday, Judge Michael Fysh found that Lik-Sang - which offered Japanese PSPs to European consumers via its website - was in breach of intellectual property rights.

Lik-Sang had claimed that it was operating within the law as the company is based in Hong Kong, and has no trading presence in the UK or European Economic Area.

But, as reported by the Financial Times, Judge Fysh ruled that, "The acts of which the complaint is made have, in my view, been perpetrated not in Hong Kong but here in the EEA, and without Sony's consent."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gamesindustry.biz

From gaming-edge.blogspot.com/joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
This japanse report states that the PS3 controller has to be connected via an included USB cable in order to pair it with the console. Okay, no big deal right? However, the report goes on to say that this might have to happen every time the controller loses power -- read is turned off or the charge dies.

Those wondering about battery life will be happy to note the controller is expected to get about 30 hours of playtime out of one 2.5 hour charge. As the battery isn't replaceable, when it's no longer recharging the controller needs to be replaced or sent for repairs.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gaming-edge.blogspot.com and joystiq.com

From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
A mole deep inside the belly of the blue beast that is Best Buy sends word that even employees must shell out full price. Our mole continues:
I noticed that there is no Replacement Plan offered on the PS3. Either the PS3 is too expensive, or they haven't gotten it yet. I say both of these because we actually had to create a new SKU for the Replacement Plan for the Premium 360 ($50 plan; never existed before). So they probably have to create a new Replacement Plan SKU for the "Core" and "Premium" PS3 packages.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: kotaku.com

From ps3fanboy.com:
[QUOTE]
In the latest PSM podcast, a little tidbit slips out about the PS3's ability to support audio files. A lot of people have been rolling their eyes, saying Sony limits themselves to the proprietary ATRAC format (if anyone else has a Vaio that came equipped with Sonic Stage, you know exactly how annoying that format can be... especially if you want to move the files anywhere else), but this podcast (timestamped around 8 minutes in) tells us that "it does read iTunes music format, so if you have all that music you can actually load it on the hard drive. It will recognize that, as well as MP3 and ATRAC."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: ps3fanboy.com

From businessweek.com:
[QUOTE]
The PlayStation 3 is a different beast from its predecessors. This is a system sturdy enough to be the centerpiece of a home entertainment system. It is not a plastic toy. The focus this time is on power pure and simple. The goal is to push cutting-edge technology that, while expensive and difficult to develop for today, will be around for years to come.

The challenge Sony faces is that the competition is not sitting still. The goal for Sony is to keep the PlayStation 2 base happy and content for the next several years as they gradually migrate to the PlayStation 3. Microsoft and Nintendo would like to speed up that migration pattern, not to the PS3 but to the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii. Sony's goal is to slow that upgrade cycle, but that can be difficult when you have well-heeled competitors looking to push their own platforms. In November, 2005, Microsoft launched the Xbox 360, which clearly put the pressure on Sony to go to market with the PlayStation 3. Even Nintendo is getting a jump this time, promising to ship 4 million units of the Wii in 2006, vs. only around 2 million units anticipated for the PS3.

The other key challenge facing Sony is that its powerful new system is not cheap. This holiday season a new PS3 will cost almost as much as a Wii and an Xbox 360 combined. Clearly, Sony needs a way to explain the price difference. The problem is, most consumers are likely to evaluate the PS3 as they did the PS2: as a game machine, not as a powerful multifunction device. As a Blu-ray player, the PS3 is inexpensive, but early adopters in this market are probably not bargain hunters.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: businessweek.com

From GameSpot's Rumor Control:
[QUOTE]
Source: A posting packed with screenshots and game details on the ps3forums.com message boards.

What we heard: This week Sony is holding a Gamers Day, a press-only event that gives the company a chance to show off its upcoming games, and make a few announcements. This Gamers Day is a little more anticipated than most, given that it comes less than a month before Sony the PlayStation 3's November 17 launch in North America, and is expected to answer a number of questions surrounding the machine.
One of those questions is "What games is Sony planning for its digital distribution service?" The answer to that may have leaked out a little early, as a poster on PS3forums by the name of "Elder " appears to have preemptively dumped a slew of Sony screenshots and game details onto the Web.

Bogus or not bogus?: Not bogus.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gamespot.com and ps3forums.com

From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
In preparation for its November 11th launch, a few stores and online sites have began limited PS3 preorder offers in Japan.

In Amazon's case, preorders are available only to people who had previously subscribed to a mail news service and on a strict one-per-person basis. Tsutaya Online is preparing for online preorders as well but has not yet given any dates.

On the "real" shops' side, preorders have come and gone. GEO has already closed its preorder campaign. Tsutaya has preorders running in some of its shops. Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera are about to begin.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: next-gen.biz

From eurogamer.net:
[QUOTE]
Launch titles for the PlayStation 3 are already "getting up close" to the 25GB limit on current Blu-Ray discs, according to Sony's worldwide studios boss Phil Harrison, who was responding to criticism of the PS3's adoption of Blu-Ray.

"Already, at our launch titles, we're getting up close to the 25GB limit that we have on our Blu-Ray discs this year," he claimed. "Next year we'll raise that to 50GB, and I'd expect that we'll be getting close to that in the fairly near future as well."

"It's got nothing to do with movies," he responded. "DVD is not sufficient capacity to power the kind of data consumption, or to feed the data consumption needs of Cell and RSX - just purely as a gameplay device, we need Blu-Ray to supply the kind of data that PS3 games use."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: eurogamer.net

TerraSoft Solutions announced Yellow Dog Linux v5.0 for PS3:
[QUOTE]
When will YDL v5.0 Ship?
YDL v5.0 is slated for release mid-November with support for the Sony PS3 first, and support for the former Apple PowerPC product line to follow. Any updates required to support the Apple PowerPC systems following the release for PS3 will be made available via a free download.

How will v5.0 be made available?
Terra Soft will maintain its tradition of a 3-phase product roll-out, starting with delivery via a completely redesigned and rebuilt YDL.net suite of services. Two weeks later, the Terra Soft on-line Store will offer the Install and Source DVDs in a DVD case with printed Guide to Installation, YDL stickers, and the famous YDL Flexible Fliers. Two weeks thereafter, the images will be migrated to the public mirrors.

Which systems will be supported?
Terra Soft will initially launch YDL v5.0 with support for the Sony PS3. By the close of 2006, support for the former Apple PowerPC product line will be made available, with intent to provide both DVD and CD install images via YDL.net Enhanced and the public mirrors. The shipping product will be available as DVD only.
[/QUOTE]

Official Website: http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com

From ps3fanboy.com:
[QUOTE]
Digital Life has the hottest products and technologies for the holiday season on display. Picking the best of show winners was a tough job, but after extensive debate and deliberation, PC Magazine and Gearlog editors agreed... Best of Show Winner: Sony PlayStation 3. We make no promises about the holiday season, but it is here, on the show floor right now. It takes the prize."
[/QUOTE]

Read More: ps3fanboy.com and pcmag.com

From ps3.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
Compared to Microsoft's uber-comfortable Xbox 360 pad, the SIXAXIS feels cheap, plasticky, uncomfortable and disconcertingly light - almost as if it's going to fly out of your hands during those more extreme gaming moments.

More worrying still, the newly-designed lower L and R shoulder triggers feel more like they belong on an early controller prototype than the near-final model. Replicating the 360 pad, rather than being simple shoulder-mounted buttons, the triggers are now hinged horizontally along the controller, with pressure forcing them inward along the bottom - like triggers then, really. Trouble is, they're placed almost unnaturally low meaning we found ourselves operating them by jamming our fingers in between the hinges to apply pressure, rather than using the buttons themselves. What's more, the triggers are convex, with no grooves to keep your fingers in place - an issue further compounded by their smooth finish, offering no resistance against your finger tips. Invariably we found our digits slipping off with the triggers snapping back to their default position. Bah.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: ps3.ign.com

From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Xfire will organise and host multiplayer online tournaments for PlayStation 3 users when the console launches later this year according to Xfire CEO Mike Cassidy.
The company already runs its Play With events for PC users, which sees users playing for and against some of the worlds' leading professional gaming clans.

"We'll bring professional console teams and let anyone who wants to play with them to do so using Xfire technology. The same thing that you see on the PC, you'll see on the PS3," Cassidy told GamesIndustry.biz.

Cassidy confirmed that at least six titles are currently using the system, with more on the way.
Developers and publishers already in partnership with Xfire include EA, Activision, VU Games, Ubisoft, 2K Games and Lucas Arts.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: gamesindustry.biz

Here's the first Canadian commercial for the PlayStation 3 currently curring on TV networks and theatres across the country!
The Wait is Over!

From digitimes.com:
[QUOTE]
With orders for PCBs to be used in Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3) game consoles, Ya Hsin Industrial will see its sales exceed NT$4 billion (US$120 million) in October, with monthly sales from the orders to average NT$2 billion, according to the Chinese-language Apple Daily.

Whether the performance of Nan Ya PCB in the fourth quarter will be boosted by PS3 PCB shipments is still unclear, as the actual shipment volumes now from the maker to Sony is still limited.
[/QUOTE]

Read More: digitimes.com