From beyond3d.com:
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Since its launch last November, Sony's latest gaming platform has given early adopters trouble when attempting to play certain titles in 1080i/p. The console did not automatically upscale its video output to desired resolutions; it was up to either the game software to support these resolutions natively or the internal scalers of users' HDTVs. This forced many people, developers and owners alike, to question the very existence of scaling hardware in the PlayStation 3.

With the latest PlayStation 3 software development kit (SDK) update, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) has finally exposed part of the built-in hardware scaler to developers.

Will this mean that most, if not all, future games will support output at 1080p/i resolutions? Moreover --and this is the question that owners of 1080i-only CRT HDTVs crave to see answered--does this mean that current PS3 games may eventually support the native HD resolution of their televisions? Well, the answer requires some good old-fashioned explanation, so let's start already!
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Full Story: beyond3d.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gamespot.com:
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Source: A short story at Gamers Reports pointing to product listings at the online stores of Best Buy and Future Shop.

The official story: "Although the suggested retail price (SRP) of the PlayStation 3 in Canada has not changed, some Canadian retailers have chosen to increase their retail price as a result of the weaker Canadian dollar. This increase is solely at the discretion of the retailer, as Sony Computer Entertainment Canada has not issued a price increase."--An SCEC representative.
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Full Story: gamespot.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gizmodo.com:
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Sony's Bluetooth PS3 remote came in the mail and we just put it through its paces. It's in the wild, but having it in my hands, I'm surprised at how useful it is compared to the wireless SIXAXIS controller during movie watching. IMO, it's worth buying. Here are my notes:
* What makes it useful are the dedicated buttons for playback, slow motion, scanning, and track control; there are also dedicated controls for changing angle, audio tracks, subtitles, and pulling up in movie menus.
* Forget about using a universal remote with the PS3. It doesn't have an IR port. This is your only choice.
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Full Story: gizmodo.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From ps3news.com:
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Today the GODS @ Paradox have released Tiger_Woods_PGA_Tour_07_USA_PS3-PARADOX which is the last remaining USA PS3 title that currently needed dumping. For those interested, the size is 6.85 GB (7,365,525,504 bytes) and the NFO File is available, and although PDX let us know they haven't had time to examine FW 1.5 yet their NFO Files states the following:

"Stop nagging about loaders - it will come if and when its ready. Now sod off and let us beta test it !"

So hopefully the BETA testing won't take long, however, there is a good chance nothing will be released publically until after the EUR PS3 release on March 23, 2007.
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News-Source: ps3news.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

The v1.5 OS is now also available for PS3 owners in USA ... here the complete and official changelog.

* Users
- You can now select an image to use as the User icon from [Photo].
* Settings
- [Key Tone] has been added as an option under [Sound Settings].
- [Delete Backup Data] has been added as an option under [System Settings] > [Backup Utility].
- WEP 128, WPA-PSK (TKIP) and WPA-PSK (AES) have been added as security methods that can be used with [AOSS™] under [Automatic].
If you have already set up for AOSS using an earlier version of the system software, you must perform AOSS setup again to use the security methods listed above.
When [Automatic] is selected, the security method to be used is automatically set.
AOSS is a trademark of Buffalo, Inc.
* Friends
- The method for saving your password / signing in automatically under PLAYSTATION®Network has been changed. There are now two separate options.
* Other
- You can now enter text in Korean using the on-screen keyboard.

Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From joystiq.com:
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Sony has made a new batch of six PSone games available for download (and subsequent PSP play) from the PS3's Japanese PlayStation Store.
* A.I.V. Evolution Global (city railway management from Artdink)
* Logic Mahjong (a mahjong game by Nippon Ichi)
* Spectral Force (the first game in Idea Factory's strategy RPG series)
* Vampire: Legend of the Bloodsuckers (an isometric action-RPG by Artdink)
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Full Story: joystiq.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From Major Nelson (Microsoft's Xbox Live Director of Programming):
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Until they fix it, you can see that clearly the main image used on Sony's PSP Connect site [Sony owned website] to promote the Gran Turismo HD Preview was stolen (borrowed) from the Xbox 360 title Project Gotham Racing 3. You can find the original PGR3 shot they used over from Bizarre Creations here.

I grabbed a screen shot of the original web page and posted it on Flickr to capture the moment.
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Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gamesindustry.biz:
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Sony's critics may baulk at the high price of PS3 but according to the retail sector, it's consumers who will ultimately decide whether GBP 425 is too much to ask when the console arrives on March 23.

"Obviously, it's quite a high threshold, which may or may not prove an issue, particularly among non-core PlayStation fans," said Tim Ellis, head of games at HMV.
"But then it's also the case that PS3 is much more than just a games console. Gamers already know this and I'm sure will respond accordingly."

"The price isn't prohibitive. People have a lot more disposable income and they don't mind spending it if they understand what they get for it. The PS3 is a lot more than just a games console, and those that are going to buy it understand that," said Don McCabe, MD of specialist chain Chips.
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Full Story: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From mcvuk.com
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The global rush to buy up hard to find Wii and PS3 hardware has helped eBay achieve one of its strongest ever quarters of growth, according to its recent financials.

The Times reports that in the three months ending December 31st eBay enjoyed a like-for-like profit increase of 24 per cent compared to the same period the year before. Revenue for the period exceeded $1.7 billion - a rise of 29 per cent year-on-year. Net income rose to $346 million whilst total sales reached $14.4 billion.
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Full Story: mcvuk.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From threespeech.com (FYI: 'semi' official Sony blog):
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We've been thinking/speculating/joining-the-dots/piecing snippets of info together over how many units the UK is likely to have initially (at day one of retail). The UK market accounts for 30% of European business. We therefore confidently predict that the UK will have around 300,000 units at the outset. And sticking with the maths, from figures we have to hand, we think this will amount to more than the combined number of Wii and 360 consoles that were initially shipped. More on this in due course... (and we'll look to get figures for how many units will be available in other European territories as well)
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Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From the press release:
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London, 24 January 2007 - Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announced that PLAYSTATION®3 will be launched in the PAL territories including the United Kingdom on 23rd March 2007 at a price of £425.

Responding to retail and consumer demand, SCEE confirmed that initially only the 60GB model would be available, with the 20GB model to follow later in the year dependent on demand.

An expected one million PS3 units will be made available during the initial launch period to all SCEE territories.

SCEE also announced a stellar launch line-up of over 30 game titles for PS3, including eagerly awaited titles published by SCEE such as Resistance: Fall of Man™, MotorStorm™, Genji™: Days of the Blade, FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION and Ridge Racer™ 7. An exceptional range of titles in every genre will also be available at launch from the world's leading third party publishers, including Electronic Arts, Activision, Namco Bandai, Sega, Take 2, Ubisoft, Vivendi Universal, and Sony Online Entertainment.

In addition to games on disc, an exciting range of fully-featured downloadable games
will debut on the PLAYSTATION®Network. These will include gaming icons such as Tekken®: Dark Resurrection and Gran Turismo® HD Concept; the fully-featured PS3 debut of the best-selling franchise Gran Turismo, realised with full HD (1080p) visual quality. Created by Polyphony Digital Inc and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, Gran Turismo® HD Concept has been downloaded by more than 350,000 users since it was released in December 2006 in North America and Japan.

Also available on the PLAYSTATION®Network will be brainteasers such as Go! Sudoku and Go! Puzzle, and innovative games such as Blast Factor™ and flOw™, designed exclusively for PLAYSTATION 3 and delivering on the promise to provide original content created by non-traditional developers and publishers.

Concurrent with the European launch, a new System Update to further enhance the entertainment potential of PS3 will be issued.

Announcing the launch details, Ray Maguire, SVP and MD of SCEUK said, "Following the hugely successful launches of PS3 in Japan and North America, we are absolutely delighted to be able to bring significant numbers of PS3 to the UK. To be able to launch with over 30 titles including retail versions and great downloadable gaming experiences across every genre shows that this is our strongest launch line-up in the history of PlayStation, and is what PlayStation fans in the UK have been crying out for."

PLAYSTATION 3 LAUNCH TITLE LINE-UP
Resistance: Fall of Man™ - SCEE - Disc
MotorStorm™ - SCEE - Disc
Genji™: Days of the Blade - SCEE - Disc
FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION - SCEE - Disc
Ridge Racer™ 7 - SCEE - Disc
Tekken®: Dark Resurrection - SCEE - Network
Lemmings™ - SCEE - Network
Go! Sudoku - SCEE - Network
Go! Puzzle - SCEE - Network
Blast Factor™ - SCEE - Network
flOw™ - SCEE - Network
Super Rub'a'Dub - SCEE - Network
Call of Duty 3 - Activision UK Ltd - Disc
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - Activision UK Ltd - Disc
Tony Hawk's Project 8 - Activision UK Ltd - Disc
Gundam - Target in Sight - Namco Bandai Games - Disc
Full Auto™ 2: Battle Lines - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
Sonic the Hedgehog™ - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
Virtua Fighter™ 5 - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
Virtua Tennis™ 3 - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
World Snooker Championship 2007 - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
NBA 2K7 - Take 2 International SA - Disc
NHL 2K7 - Take 2 International SA - Disc
Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWll - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc
Enchanted Arms - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc
The Elder Scrolls lV: Oblivion - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc
Def Jam: Icon - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
Fight Night Round 3 - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
NBA Street 4 Homecourt 2007 - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
Need for Speed Carbon - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
The Godfather: The Don's Edition - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007 - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
F.E.A.R. Vivendi - Universal Games Intl SA - Disc
Gripshift - Sony Online Entertainment - Network

PLAYSTATION 3 Peripherals Available at Launch
Peripheral - RRP in £ Sterling
SIXAXIS™ Wireless Controller - £34.99
Blu-ray Disc Remote Control - £17.99
HDMI Cable - £17.99
AV cable - £17.99
Component AV cable - £17.99
S Video cable - £12.99
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Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From gamasutra.com:
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Sony Corp and publisher Namco Bandai have revealed that the two are to partner in forming Cellius Inc, a new company to create games for the PlayStation 3, as well as content for mobile phones and personal computers.

According to a Tokyo-based Bloomberg report, the new venture will be named Cellius Inc. (after the Cell processor), with Sony owning 51 percent of the company and Namco Bandai 49 percent. The new company is to open its doors on March 6th, although specific details of its future plans have not yet been forthcoming.
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Full Story: gamasutra.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From threespeech.com (FYI: 'semi' Official Sony Blog)
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Quick one to say check back in on Three Speech at midnight, when we'll be running all available info on the launch details of the PS3 in the UK/Europe.
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Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From ps3.ign.com:
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The big change this time around seems to be in the form of payment options for the PlayStation Store. While the store has been limited exclusively payment via credit card until now, the PS3 will now be able to accept "Edy" system pre-paid electronic money. You're required to have an IC Reader/Writer attached to your PS3 in order to use this system. Readers are now available for the PC.

Other changes include support for Korean language input via keyboard and updated PlayStation and PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility.
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Full Story: ps3.ign.com and www.jp.playstation.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From edge-online.co.uk:
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We have been advised by a source seeking to remain nameless that PlayStation 3 will "definitely launch in the UK on March 23 at £425".
Not April at £350. Not September at £400. March 23 at £425.
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Full Story: edge-online.co.uk
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From threespeech.com (FYI: 'semi' official Sony Blog):
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...But don't worry - that doesn't mean the launch itself is being delayed! Word from Sony is they're still finalizing a few details, meaning the announcement is more likely to be made Thursday or Friday of this week now. (And we're sticking with the previously mooted March 23 launch date as 99% certain!)
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Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From joystiq.com:
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When asked point blank whether price drops for the PS3 will be "as soon or as drastic as they were for the PlayStation 2," Tretton (Sony Computer Entertainment America chief) responded with a curt, "No."
Using this data and Tretton's above answer, we can expect that the PS3 won't come down in price until at least June 4, 2008.

The reason for the shallower pricing curve? According to Tretton, the increased investment in R & D and hardware makes the system "a lot more difficult to cost reduce" than the PS2. "There's a heck of a lot more under the hood and it costs us more money to make it," Tretton told Game Informer.
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Full Story: joystiq.com
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

From kotaku.com:
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PS3 sales in Japan haven't cooled off, they've frozen. Consoles sit on shelves as gamers wait it out: Waiting for actual games to appear or prices to drop. Retailers, on the other hand, are an impatient lot. Retailers are also buying "used" PS3s at much lower prices than previously, paying well under the original sticker price. Just look at how the Don Quijote in Akihabara is slicing 20 percent off the 20GB PLAYSTATION 3. The 20GB version originally books at 49,980 yen (US $412), but is being offered for 39,980 yen ($329) in a sale ending February.
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Full Story: kotaku.com and akibablog.net
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com

Dragon Electronics announced 2 new products for the PlayStation3:
[QUOTE]
* PS2 Controller to PS3/PC System Convert Cable
This easy to use, easy to install converter let you use your PS2 Dual Shock 2 or even PS1 Dual Shock on Playstation 3 and PC. 4 Dual Shock/2 can be used at the same time!
Specifications:
- No batteries required
- Supports most PC games
- Plug and play on PC and Playstation 3
- Supports most PS3 games with PS2/PS1 Dual Shock type controllers
- 4 pieces of PS2/PSone Dual Shock controller can be used simultaneously