Some of you may remember that last week we posted a screenshot which was supposedly from the PS3 website but had been leaked unintentionally. It depicted a Facebook logo on the PS3 Home screen indicating that Facebook was coming to the popular gaming console. Now, we can confirm that story.
In an update for the PS3 is out and ready for download. Along with outer features, Facebook is included. Here is what Sony said in an official press release:
Showcase Trophies: Instantly share trophies you earn in PS3 games in your Facebook stream. Simply sync your PS3 system and easily show off your accomplishments to friends and family.
PlayStation Store Purchase Log Publishing: Let friends and family on Facebook instantly know which PlayStation 3 games you’ve purchased. The PlayStation Store, available to PS3 and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system owners through PlayStation Network, features over 200 downloadable games, many of which are exclusive to PS3 or PSP system owners, in addition to over 4,000 pieces of add-on game content.
Game Event: With a few quick clicks of the controller sharing select game events, progress and statistics is now easier than ever with the Facebook integration.
The PS3 is an all round entertainment machine which in many regards it can act as a fully functioning PC for internet, movie and music usage. When it first came out all you could hear was how “it’s not just a console. It’s and entertainment centre” and all that lark. So now we’ve got our hands on an apparent screenshot of a Facebook client running on a PlayStation 3. interesting.
I mean all it is is a logo and a bit of detail which I guess could have been done by a skilled Photoshop user but here’s the interesting part:
TechCrunch claim that the image can be traced back to the official Sony website.
So was this an image uploaded too soon? A test gone wrong? Well we don’t really know for sure but I do have a gut feeling this is straight up. After all, the PS3 is essentially a computer in its own right so if anything, social networking is overdue.
Here is a screenshot of what it might be similar too. This is a screenshot of the Facebook client currently in testing for the XBOX 360 (we’re also waiting on Twitter for that console). It doesn’t look to bad indeed although a bit of cleaning up wouldn’t go amiss.
I must admit that Im not much of a Playstation 3 person, more of a Wii person. However, this product is really making me want to buy a Playstation 3 and deck out my living room.
Stephane Perruchon is the designer of this glass topped table, with the base made up of two gigantic PS3 controllers. It’ll make your place look like the classiest dorm room ever! Which would be awesome if you actually still live in a dorm room, but otherwise, I’m not so sure.
For a few months, I’ve been feeling that all the current PS3 games didn’t get me all that excited to actually go out there and buy them as soon as they are released. Metal Gear 4, GTA IV, FIFA 09 and just a couple more are my favorites and, in different ways, I think they represent just the edge that Play Station has over other similar consoles.
This list represents, in my perception, which are the games that are the most expected yet to come for Play Station 3:
Number 5 – FIFA 10
FIFA 09 made an incredible revolution among sports games in PS3, functionality, features, online gaming, realism were the main aspects that made FIFA 09 the best soccer game released for PS3 (and I think the best in any console).
Among the new features that will be included are: Virtual Pro (use your player with your own photo and see how the games adapts the photo with new face recognition software); new online types of games; several improvements in game play (new type of tactics can be implemented, defensive urgency, more physical play, 360 dribbles, etc etc).
Release Date: October 20, 2009.
Number 4 – Assassin’s Creed 2
It just stays in N° 4 because the first game released in 2007 was not actually all that I expected. It was not bad, don’t get me wrong, I just didn’t enjoy the missions in this games: all the same. Ubisoft seems that received most of the feedback and adds more excitement in this 2nd part.
The main story will be placed in Venice in the XV century and seems that will contain over 16 type of different missions. New weapons and movements, you will be able to swim and throw people to the water, new places to hide, etc etc.
Release Date: November 17, 2009.
Number 3 – Batman Arkham Asylum
This story starts with Batman that just has captured The Joker, and takes him to Arkham Asylum to acts as his prison. But of course, things go bad and The Joker gets loose and frees other members of the asylum.
To capture him back, Batman will use tons of gadgets and also the “detective mode” to get rid of all the bad guys. You will find awesome battle scenes with great video and motion, including “take down” options to use with your enemies, you will also get improvements in your weapons by gaining experience points.
Release Date: August 25, 2009.
Number 2 – Castlevania The Lord of the Shadows
The Castlevania saga makes an extraordinary comeback with the Lord of the Shadows. Great artistic pictures and looks like a more incredible game play. Here’s the trailer, enjoy:
(Yes, the game narrator is Patrick Stewart, X-Men’s Xavier)
Release Date: TBA 2010
Number 1 – God of War III
Soon as I completed God of War II and watching the game box with the message “God of War III for Play Station 3 – Coming Soon” I knew that the PS3 will be mine and all of my expectations will be on this game.
As for PS2, God of War will be a must for all PS3 gamers. The new features will include: bigger areas and scenarios, more brutal combats, intricate puzzles to solve, new weapons, using a new lighting technology inside the game play (simulates a human retina behavior with brightness and darkness), PS3 exclusive game.
As we’ve been discussing it before, it is finally official, Sony is releasing in this September, the new Play Station 3 console model. Confirming that this is a slim one, including a price cut and with an internal HD 120gb. Not bad uh?
Here are the facts so far about the new PS3:
Available in the first week of september (yes! just a few days more).
120gb internal hard drive.
22% smaller and around 36% lighter.
New refrigeration system. Apparently won’t over heat all that much as the earlier versions.
The processor still is a 45nm Cell model but consumes less energy. Current PS3 owners will know that this is an important feature.
New feature “BRAVIA Sync”. If you also are the owner of a Sony BRAVIA TV you will be able to control the XrossMediaVar using your PS3. Also the sandby feature will let you turn off the console automatically when the TV turns off.
Here are some comparison photos with the previous models:
Yes, I know, you probably didn’t even think about a walkman in a long time; and most likely it’s been a real while since you’ve seen one, but Sony’s is -NOT- celebrating the release of their first Walkman 30 years ago.
Sony is still trying to make a revolutionary product release that they didn’t have particulary since the first portable audio player hit the market. They are having a rough year (first annual loss balance in 14 years) and they don’t have so great expectations for next year either. Most of the hopes are placed in PlayStation 3 (mainly based on two things, the release of the slim version and waiting for the blu-ray to become a real home standard), and also the portable new console PSP Go!
Getting back to the walkman’s story, here’s a quick and funny image that a friend of mine sent me today:
Arvind Bhatia, analyst from Sterne Agee, has an stunning prediction for Play Station 3: it is expected a considerable price drop by $100.
Hard to believe? Here’s his opinion: “Industry sources indicate Sony is planning a $100 price cut on the PS3 in mid-August, just prior the launch of Madden (8/18) and the start of the back to school shopping season. This will naturally be a positive for the industry.”
I’m sure that, if this is happening, will make a very important hit in the market, considering previous reports about Blu-Ray high insertion level among users making this a “here to stay” media format. Adding to the mix, the leaked photos that appeared that, could be, the new slim model for PS3:
How are other consoles going to compete with that? Xbox it’s ready to make a similar price cut and maintain the price difference with PS3?
Mooch has just announced that it has launched its peer-to-peer video game trading website to the public. Mooch provides video game players and owners an affordable and simple way to trade their old and used video games.
Instead of exchanging used titles at retail stores for a fraction of the original price, Mooch subscribers can enter a list of the games they have as well as the games they want, and Mooch’s patent-pending trading engine goes to work. Each step of the trading process is intelligently automated, including finding potential trades, balancing each trade, and even allowing users to print postage directly from the site.
A limited number of free accounts will be available during the beta period. Following the free beta, membership to Mooch will require an annual subscription fee of $19.99.
It has been reported that Grand Theft Auto IV sales have been much higher than expected. In the first week of sales there has been over 6 million copies sold which has reportedly raked in over $500 million in sales. That first week performance blows away the previous record held by “Halo 3″ which sold about 2.6 million units and earned $300 million. First day sales for “Grand Theft Auto IV,” including all pre-orders, totaled 3.6 million copies.
Even those guys at the Pirate Bay got on the Grand Theft Auto bandwagon and posted a nice logo and with some cheeky rips.
Some of you may remember that last week we posted a screenshot which was supposedly from the PS3 website but had been leaked unintentionally. It depicted a Facebook logo on the PS3 Home screen indicating that Facebook was coming to the popular gaming console. Now, we can confirm that story.
Yes, I know, you probably didn’t even think about a walkman in a long time; and most likely it’s been a real while since you’ve seen one, but Sony’s is -NOT- celebrating the release of their first Walkman 30 years ago.
Arvind Bhatia, analyst from 
