Christopher

Sony has detailed an all-in-one Surround Sound System (with built-in subwoofer) for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) system in fall 2010 in Japan, North America, Europe/PAL territories, and Asian countries/regions at a recommended retail price of 19,800 yen (including tax), US$199, and euro 199 respectively. Users will be able to enjoy immersive audio on the PlayStation 3 system, including upcoming games supporting PlayStation Move motion controllers, Blu-ray movies, as well as stereoscopic 3D content by simply placing the speaker in front of the television and connecting it to the PS3 system with the optical digital cable. The Surround Sound System, model name CECH-ZVS1, utilizes cutting-edge technologies, including Sony’s S-Force PRO Front Surround Sound that generates rich realistic surround sound over one front speaker. Delivering a dynamic sound environment with audio virtually coming from all directions, the Surround Sound System will immerse users into a cinema-like experience in the living room, making them feel like they are actually in the game or movie itself. Bringing in SCE’s expertise in both entertainment and technology acquired from developing games, four sound fields of the speaker system have been designed with the help of SCE’s expert game sound designers, to optimize the cinematic experience of all forms of entertainment. The Surround Sound System comes with two audio inputs – an optical audio input for connecting high-end entertainment systems including PS3, and an analog audio input for connecting portable devices like the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system to enjoy listening to music in the living room. It’s compatible with the Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG-2 AAC, Linear PCM formats. The form factor of the system features a sleek and casual design that matches perfectly with the PS3 system, and delivers dynamic sound without the physical space required by a traditional home theater system. The amplifier has 10W per channel, and 15W + 15W for the subwoofer. View the full article

Sony has detailed an all-in-one Surround Sound System (with built-in subwoofer) for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) system in fall 2010 in Japan, North America, Europe/PAL territories, and Asian countries/regions at a recommended retail price of 19,800 yen (including tax), US$199, and euro 199 respectively. Users will be able to enjoy immersive audio on the PlayStation 3 system, including upcoming games supporting PlayStation Move motion controllers, Blu-ray movies, as well as stereoscopic 3D content by simply placing the speaker in front of the television and connecting it to the PS3 system with the optical digital cable. The Surround Sound System, model name CECH-ZVS1, utilizes cutting-edge technologies, including Sony’s S-Force PRO Front Surround Sound that generates rich realistic surround sound over one front speaker. Delivering a dynamic sound environment with audio virtually coming from all directions, the Surround Sound System will immerse users into a cinema-like experience in the living room, making them feel like they are actually in the game or movie itself. Bringing in SCE’s expertise in both entertainment and technology acquired from developing games, four sound fields of the speaker system have been designed with the help of SCE’s expert game sound designers, to optimize the cinematic experience of all forms of entertainment. The Surround Sound System comes with two audio inputs – an optical audio input for connecting high-end entertainment systems including PS3, and an analog audio input for connecting portable devices like the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system to enjoy listening to music in the living room. It’s compatible with the Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG-2 AAC, Linear PCM formats. The form factor of the system features a sleek and casual design that matches perfectly with the PS3 system, and delivers dynamic sound without the physical space required by a traditional home theater system. The amplifier has 10W per channel, and 15W + 15W for the subwoofer. View the full article

Portal 2 is an upcoming first-person action/puzzle video game, developed by Valve Corporation. Though initially expected to be released in the last quarter of 2010, Portal 2 has been pushed back for a 2011 release on nearly every major platform. Portal 2 will continue to challenge the player by solving puzzles in test chambers within the Aperture Science Enrichment Center using the portal gun (the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device), a device that can create two portals connecting two surfaces across space. Players solve puzzles by using these portals to move unconventionally between rooms or to use the ability to fling objects or themselves across a distance. The functionality of the gun has not changed between the games, but within Portal 2, players can take advantage of the bleeding of other physical effects through the portals. Game Informer identified two examples of this: one was the ability to use air currents created by a series of transport pneumatic tubes through a set of portal openings to push a turret over or to draw objects into the suction. The second example was to use the power of tractor beams through portals to bring Chell or other objects to otherwise inaccessible areas. The game also introduces special paint that can be used to impart certain physical effects to a surface (for example, one identified by Game Informer is an orange paint that when stepped on will impart high speed to the player). The player will be required to determine how to transport that paint to appropriate surfaces using portals in order to progress. This paint can also be applied to objects, such as the Weighted Storage Cube crates that affect their own physical nature. In addition to the Storage Cube, there are new types of portable objects that assist the player, including Redirection Cubes with mirrored, reflective surfaces, Aerial Faith Plates that can launch objects placed on them, and spherical Weighted Storage Balls, which made a brief appearance in the original game in one of the advanced chambers. While most of the single-player game will take place in the test chambers created by GLaDOS or her personality cores, there will be times where the player will need to move behind-the-scenes in areas beyond the test chambers as they are reconfigured, leaving the player free of GLaDOS’s observation and control. The game will include a two-player co-operative mode in addition to the single player mode. Both players control separate portal guns and can use the other player’s portals as necessary; the second player’s portals will be of a different color to help distinguish between the two sets. Because of the number of possible portal combinations, the test chambers that the players proceed through are much more difficult than the single-player campaign, encouraging the two players to work together. This includes complicated laser redirections using both series of portals, or working in two separate chambers, performing actions in their side of the chamber to allow the other player to progress in theirs. The game includes voice communication between players for this mode as well as split-screen for players playing locally. Online players will have the ability to temporarily enter a split-screen view to help coordinate actions. Players have the ability to place icons on the game’s levels as a means of informing the other player what they need to do. As part of the Sony press conference at E3 (seen in the above video), Portal 2 was revealed by Gabe Newell, co-founder and managing director of video game development at Valve, that Portal 2 will be available for the PlayStation 3; the game will include some features of Steamworks used in the PC and Mac versions and will be the only console version of the game to do so, making the game in Gabe’s words “the best console version”. The news came as a surprise to many journalists, as previously, Newell has made negative comments about the system, calling it “a total disaster on so many levels”; Newell jokingly referred to these comments by thanking Sony for “their gracious hospitality and not repeatedly punching me in the face”. View the full article

Sorcery is an upcoming 2011 video game developed and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3 utilizing the PlayStation Move. The game was first announced at the E3 2010 and will be released in Q2 2011. Players take the role of a young sorcerer’s apprentice and must master the arcane arts in order to protect her homeland. The Nightmare Queen has broken the ancient pact with mankind and threatens to cover the land in eternal night, sending her foul minions across the land. Players must travel through the dark Faerie Kingdoms to save the land from the darkness that has enshrouded it. The world is based on Irish mythology and tradition. The game features over 12 upgradeable spells, hundreds of potions and numerous items to collect. Players must defeat numerous enemies, solve puzzles and craft new spells as they progress through the game. Players can use the PlayStation Move to cast magic spells to attack enemies and brew elixirs. Players must take on various quests and journey throughout Faerie Kingdom, rescue kidnapped children, recover ancient knowledge from the City of the Drowned and aid the local townsfolk. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> View the full article

The first complete DC Universe Online Trailer has been released as part of E3 week. DC Universe Online has been in development for quite some time. To date, we have seen small clips, images, but never an official trailer until now. Combining footage that we have already seen, it also adds quite a bit of new footage that gives you the overall feel of just how big this game really is and how epic it?s going to be with you in the center of it. Some of the locales in the game have never been fully fleshed out in the comics, such as Gotham City. Gamers will have an opportunity to see what some of these areas truly look like. It?s also nice to see the pain staking work that the legendary Jim Lee devoted to character models such as The Flash are being accurately rendered on screen. The ability to choose sides, and become a legend next to your favorite heroes or villains is going to make this MMO unique among all others. No firm date yet, just sometime in November. View the full article

The “shooting attachment,” designed to place the PlayStation Move motion controller horizontally, will allow players to hold the motion controller as if they are holding a gun and to easily aim at an in-game target. The trigger on the attachment is interlocked with the motion controller T button and will enable users to intuitively play the game, not only limited to shooting games but also on games that may require precise button input and control. It will deliver immersive gameplay and will work perfectly with software titles like The Shoot! by SCE and Time Crises: Razing Storm by Bandai Namco Games Inc. which is expected to support the attachment. The “shooting attachment” will become available starting this fall in each region at a RRP of euro 14.99, US $19.99 and 1,480 yen (including tax), respectively. View the full article

Sony introduced the highly rumored PlayStation Plus premium subscription plan at E3 2010. The features included are relatively good for in its inital offering. Major features include free full game trials so you can try games before you buy them for up to one hour. Also, Playstation Plus members can have priority access to demos and betas before everyone else and its all topped off with exclusive discounts (up to 50%), free games and content from the Playstation Store. PlaystationPlus members also will receive downloads of select demos, patches, and firmware updates automatically. They’ll also have access to select avatars, themes and other items that regular Playstation Network members cannot access, until long after you’ve seen it. The first month of available free software to PlaystationPlus members will beWipeout HD, the PSN 1 classic Rally Cross, and other downloadable content. The service will include new features such as a streaming music application, which can play music while playing your favorite titles. Subscribers will also be able to receive one free PSN title a month. We also believe you will get access to movie content. This is just the beginning of PlaystationPlus, which we think is fairly priced at $49 per year or $19 for three months of service. Plus, if you buy one year of PlaystationPlus you’ll get three months for free. However, once your subscription ends, premium content cannot be played; the content is tied to your subscription. Picture of PlaystationPlus announcement at E3 2010 courtesy of engadget. View the full article

At E3 Sony announced that the long awaited Gran Turismo 5 will hit retail shelves on 11/02/2010. Image: After what seemed like an eternity, GT5 will be released before year?s end. In grand fashion, Sony showed a new trailer showcasing it in all it?s glory at E3: To celebrate the release, a collector?s edition bundle was announced as well. The bundle includes a 1:43 scale collectible diecast car, a 300-page guide to cars and racing techniques, a GT-branded key chain, a voucher for five (5) DLC cars, and a numbered certificate of authenticity, in a premium package. Collector’s Edition Content Details: Gran Turismo

Pricing and details were just released for the PlayStation Move at Sony’s E3 Press Conference. Here are the facts: PlayStation Move Controller – Stand alone retail $49.99 PlayStation Move Bundle – Includes PlayStation Move controller, PlayStation Eye Camera, Sports Champions

If you live in the Los Angeles area, Sony will be a three different Best Buy locations with the PlayStation Move tonight. Tonight from 6 ? 9 p.m. Sony will give gamers a chance to play the PlayStation Move first hand and try out titles set for release this fall. If your one of the first 125 people in attendance at each location, you can score a $5 giftcard according to the Official PlayStation Blog to Subway as you will no doubt be tired after all that moving Locations are below: Best Buy ? Culver City 10799 Washington Blvd Culver City, CA 90232 Best Buy ? Westfield Mall 6000 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230 Best Buy ? Burbank 1501 N Victory Pl Burbank, CA 91504 View the full article

The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010 (aka E3 2010) takes place on June 14-17 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. E3 is an annual trade show for the computer and video games industry presented by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). It is used by many video game developers to present their upcoming games and game-related hardware. Sony’s press conference is today at 12PM PDT and will be hosted by Playstation USA President/CEO Jack Tretton. If you’d rather watch the press conference in HD, please check out the live stream of Sony’s E3 2010 Press Conference at Game Trailers, Gamespot, IGN, and G4TV. Here is our live chat that will update you with the latest information during the press conference: Sony’s E3 2010 Press Conference Sony plans to further showcase the PlayStation Move and its compatible games as well as announce the worldwide release of firmware for the PS3 to fully support stereo 3D gaming and movies. President of Sony Computer Entertainment, Jack Tretton, has said that they “will absolutely bring the heat, there’s a lot to talk about.” Sony is also set to reveal new hardware at E3. View the full article

Sony will have their E3 Press Conference at 12:00PM PDT. A few of the things we can expect are listed below: Sony Infamous 2 Killzone 3 Little Big Planet 2 Gran Turismo 5 Motorstorm 3 Apocalypse SOCOM 4 Move Party The Shoot Sports Champions Square Enix The Tales of Bearsworth Manor: Puzzling Pages FRONT MISSION EVOLVED DUNGEON SIEGE 3 Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light The Tales of Bearsworth Manor: Chaotic Conflicts Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days Deus Ex: Human Revolution FINAL FANTASY XIV The 3rd Birthday KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep And of course a big spotlight on PlayStation Move. Even with a few leaks here and there leading up to E3, Sony always has a big surprise or two up their sleeve and hopefully today is no exception.With Microsoft pushing a new console redesign and their camera peripheral Kinect, and with who knows what Nintendo has in store this morning, all eyes will be on Sony to see if they can steal some of the other companies thunder. View the full article

We are on the precipice of a major transformation in technology and entertainment. Perhaps one could call this moment the calm before the storm. We know now that in the early years of the twenty-first century this world became truly connected and the ability to rapidly advance our intelligence became possible. We know now that as human beings busied themselves about their various concerns that consumer electronics companies gave us an option to escape in immerse worlds in high definition. With infinite complacence, people went to and fro over the earth about their little affairs, and achieved a serene existence by placing high definition equipment in their domains. The universe was no longer a dark mystery; even the minute elements within the small spinning fragment of solar driftwood that man inherited was now defined in stunning clarity. Despite an immense effort to transform and catalog the world in HD, minds that to our minds as ours are the creators of this technological utopia – their intellects vast, cool and unsympathetic – regarded this earth with envious eyes and slowly and surely drew their ultimate plans for the consumer. In the tenth year of the twenty first century came the most extensive integration of the third dimension in our lives. Sony is launching a 3D invasion upon us. If you visit an electronics store you will see products that we have grown accustomed to for nearly a decade – products such as LCD TV’s, point and shoot cameras, video players, notebooks, and movies/video games on disc. Change is coming. In hindsight, the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show was ground zero for 3D – it was the point on the Earth’s surface where an explosion occurred. Nearly every major consumer electronics manufacturer who has a presence in television showed off 3D capable displays. The world was surprised by such a massive tour de force. Yet for some strange reason, many attendants were kind of underwhelmed by the sudden shift in industry focus; those people were too comfortable with HD and the lull of product evolution that has existed for the last five years. The 3D invasion is not only an effort to make movies, pictures and games feel truly immersive, but it is also an enormous gamble to galvanize multiple industries that have either gone unchanged for eons, or were lost in an endless cycle of incremental upgrades. 3D is also a powerful angle from companies who have suffered profit losses from pirated content. If you think about it, the profits are back in the hand of the creator; to enjoy 3D you have to buy it. I believe those who choose to truly open their eyes and minds are becoming inspired by the exceptional collective achievement of releasing 3D from its prison of theater. At first, I didn’t believe it was worth the effort. And I’ll be honest with you, I have spent a fair amount of time with Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG and other 3D TV’s throughout their evolution at trade shows and the finalized versions at retail. I’ve seen all the different types of active shutter glasses and marketing terminology that assures the consumer that their interpretation of 3D is the best option. And after my observations my eyes made the decision what companies I liked best – Sony and Panasonic. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> Several days ago, I visited Los Angeles, California to participate in a 3D launch event Sony hosted at the historic Sony Pictures Studios. The event was not just a simple effort by the company to showcase a few televisions, but rather a real attempt to convince those who were still skeptical about whether or not 3D could really be the “next big thing.” The event also served the purpose of showing off the latest innovative 3D content. Sony also wanted the consumer to identify the company is leading 3D with strong content partnerships and education offerings. 3D, whose momentum has been subdued by economic woes and skepticism, is finally starting to accelerate forward. Sony held no reservations about how important this strategy has become for the struggling company, as CEO of Sony Sir Howard Stringer, President and COO Stan Glasgow, CMO Mike Fasulo, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Michael Lynton, and President/CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Jack Tretton were all on hand to talk 3D, and how it will influence their respective businesses. We will have separate articles about their marketing and movie efforts; we wanted to focus on the consumer electronics portion of the presentation for this post. Sony is playing a solid hand for the first generation of 3D home theater. There are seven 3D ready (and built-in 3D) televisions Sony will deal to consumers this Summer, starting at $2,099. Let’s take a look at the models: As you can see, Sony has attractive 3D TV options in screen sizes ranging from 40″ to 60″. The LX900 (52″ and 60″) series is the most feature rich option of out of the box, as it includes built-in 3D capabilities, MotionFlow Pro 240Hz, a vast array of online video, included active shutter 3D glasses and built-in Wi-Fi. Picture-wise, most consumers will find the ultra-thin LCD panel (with side-lit LED) of the LX900 to offer excellent quality. I sat down with the 60″ LX900 and played several Playstation 3 games in 3D, including Super Star Dust, Wipeout, and Motorstorm. I peeped around on the Playstation 3 and the firmware was 3.30, but it was a special build that had developer options I’d never seen before, allowing the ability to install items and other features. Super Star Dust 3D was quite impressive, and the game looked fantastic in 3D as my ship flew around dodging asteroids, creating explosions and upgrading its weapons. The neon guns and explosions shined in 3D, creating a rather amazing effect that made such an ordinary game quite extraordinary. I noticed the game had an option to intensify or lessen the 3D effect, which was helpful addition that I actually found useful. Motorstorm 3D was better than the original, and the smoothest looking game of the three but still left something to desired. And finally, I felt Wipeout 3D was the king of the games available to sample, clearly demonstrating that high-speed games did not suffer in 3D, but rather complimented them greatly. I was worried that the high speed element of the vehicles would be too challenging to enjoy in 3D, but it was rather a surprisingly great experience that was truly fun. A well made 3D first person shooter on the PS3 will be a “killer app.” For more thoughts on Sony’s Playstation 3D efforts at this event, please check out this informative post I helped put together – “PlayStation CEO Talks PS3 And Its 3D Future.” The HX909 series (46″ and 52″) is for the true picture enthusiast, as it offers a LCD panel with direct LED back lighting, and offers picture quality on par or above the famous BRAVIA XBR8. The HX909 also has incredible other features pointed out in the above comparison chart (and this HX909 SonyStyle info page). However, the HX909 is only 3D and Wi-Fi ready, meaning you will have to pony up the extra money for those accessories in order to gain that functionality. So that $3,999 52″ HX909 will be much more expensive if you add on the cost of 3D transmitter and 3D active shutter glasses. I watched Alice in Wonderland in 3D in a dark room on the 52″ HX909 and it was clearly the best 3D presentation out of all the Sony 3D TV’s currently available. Colors were truly lush, and the black levels were exceptional. The HX909 series truly shines because of the Intelligent Dynamic LED backlighting and the innovative OptiContrast panel. I started to realize after watching the movie for an extended period of time that a set like this could convince nearly anyone that 3D for the home is the real deal. There was also a brief opportunity for me to see several 3D panoramic pictures on the HX909 taken with the upcoming NEX-5 camera. It was not a gimmick – I felt like I was witnessing the future of photo viewing. Images looked fantastic and detail was very crisp. The sense of dimension was quite noticeable, especially in a group shot of about three dozen people standing together. You are also able to zoom in on the 3D panoramic photo with the remote control. Incredible stuff. And finally, there is the workhorse HX800 series (40″, 46″, and 55″) which is very similar to the LX900 series as they both have a dynamic edge-lit LED LCD. Read more about the HX800 series at SonyStyle. However, like the HX909, the HX800 series it doesn’t include the 3D emitter, active shutter 3D glasses, or integrated Wi-Fi but can support them. Sony had the LX900 next to a Panasonic 3D TV, which was quite straightforward for Sony to do at an event like this but it demonstrated how hungry they are to convince the media they are serious about dominating 3D TV at home, as many have considered Panasonic Plasmas to be some of the best first generation 3D TV’s. Yet somehow, in this demonstration, when viewing the LX900 and Panasonic 3D TV next to each other, the LX900 looked better. I found it hard to believe that an edge-lit LED LCD panel could be on par with a Plasma, but it was. The LX900 was very bright, and seemed to solve that “whites aren’t white enough” problem the Panasonic exhibited. I also noticed the colors were not as lush on the Plasma as the LX900, and the power consumption of the Panasonic was nearly double the LX900 (as seen above). Troubling. Here are some comparison pictures of the 3D glasses for Panasonic and Sony: The 3D Launch event wasn’t just about the newest hardware, though – it was also about how Sony has released a free firmware update that enables 3D functionality in existing 2010 Blu-ray disc players and home theater systems, such as the BDP-S470 and BDP-S570 players and BDV-E570 and BDV-E770W home-theater systems. The firmware update can be directly downloaded and installed over the Internet, or through a USB port. Nice. Also, after purchasing and registering a 3D BRAVIA TV, you will receive a copy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s Blu-ray 3D title “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” as well as Blu-ray 3D title “Deep Sea.” There is also an included PlayStation Network voucher enabling purchasers to download stereoscopic 3D gaming experiences on the PS3. There was also a great exposition of 3D content at the event, ranging from sports (golf, basketball, extreme, both types of football), nature clips, action movies, and so much more. Over the last year of trade shows, it seems the quality of the 3D clips have evolved dramatically. Sony is investing incredible energy into creating tools that shoot great 3D and educating others how to use them effectively, and the content is truly starting to reflect that. There were two clips that impressed me the most throughout the presentations. The first clip was in conjunction with the announcement that the next X-Games (ESPN) would be shot and presented in 3D, and they proceeded to show some dirt bikes flying in the air off ramps – it was truly jaw-dropping. Imagine the motorcycle and rider doing a trick in the air, fifty feet off the ground; the moving image just looked so stunning. The rider was perfectly separated from the crowd behind it in vivid 3D; it was like the third dimension is what has been missing from making extreme sports truly exhilarating to watch. Another clip that grasped the audience was the slow-motion clip from Discovery Channel of an enormous shark capturing a fish in its mouth while jumping high in the water. The near freeze-frame effect of the slow motion perfectly complimented the 3D effect; the rise of the mammoth shark felt so real, and with it being in 3D the true intensity of the moment helped create the most brilliant piece of nature footage I’d ever seen. Naturally, Sony and the other consumer electronic manufacturers will face hardship trying to convince consumers to spend large amounts of money on a 3D TV. To make matters worse, if you have an old home theater system you will have to buy a 3D compatible receiver. Then there is the matter of accessories – only two of Sony’s 3DTVs come with the 3D emitter and active shutter 3D glasses, adding more cost to the equation if you buy a model that doesn’t include those items. It’s still unclear how much content will really cost. It’s like the beginning of HD all over again, essentially, but this non-believer has been converted. The content looks so amazing. Despite the fact there will only be two 3D channels available for consumers – ESPN 3D and Discovery/IMAX 3D – I feel that live sports and video gaming in 3D will play the biggest role in attracting consumers to the 3D revolution. View the full article

Jack Tretton, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, gets detailed on the future of 3D gaming at a recent Sony 3D TV launch event in Los Angeles. Initially, he began by talking about the strength of the PlayStation brand over the past 15 years. Highlighting the strength of that brand, and how the PS2 is in over 145 million homes to date. He discussed how the PS2 and the decision to use DVD as format assisted in establishing the DVD and that the PS3 has had a major role in establishing

After a long wait and speculation about pricing and availability of 3D TVs in the US, SonyStyle has finally gave in and revealed its pre-ordering site that will help you choose a 3D TV to your liking. It has a couple of online tools that will help you along the process: from picking the form factor, that is its slimness to whether or not you want your TV to be wireless ready with 3D inside or get extra accessories like 3D Sync Transmitter, 3D Active Glasses or the Wi-Fi dongle. To sweeten the deal if you purchased the following 3D TVs – XBR-60LX900, XBR-52LX900, XBR-52HX909, XBR-46HX909, KDL-55HX800, KDL-46HX800, KDL-40HX800, KDL-60NX810, KDL-55NX810, KDL-46NX810, KDL-46NX711 and KDL-40NX711, Sony will thrown in a couple of free 3D movies – Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and an IMAX Deep Sea as well as give you 4 3D games for your PS3: Pain, WipEout HD, Super Stardust HD, MotorStorm Pacific Rift (if you already own those games, you will be prompted to download a patch that will enable the 3D goodness). For more details on obtaining the above movies, go here. An insider note for you who are thinking of purchasing a 3D TV – the stock of certain models is pretty limited, so act accordingly. July 15th is the magic date most models should be shipping by, however check your local SonyStyle Stores and maybe you can score one earlier. View the full article

Men in Black III-D (aka Men in Black 3, MIB3D) will be the third installment of the film’s franchise. It will be released in 3D by Sony Pictures and directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, who directed the first two installments. The third was originally based on a script written by writer Etan Cohen, who has penned popular movies such as Tropic Thunder and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. Sony confirmed that David Koepp would serve as an additional screenwriter, joining Cohen. Koepp is currently rewriting a new draft of the script, which takes place primarily in the year 1969. It was initially announced that Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith would reprise their roles as Agents Kay and Jay, respectively. Both had previously expressed interest in reprising their roles back in 2008. While Smith has officially signed on to return as Agent Jay, Jones is in advanced negotiations to return as Agent Kay. Josh Brolin is also in talks to play the younger (1969) version of Kay. Others rumored to have parts in the film include Sacha Baron Cohen and Jemaine Clement. It was later confirmed that Clement had landed the role of Boris (formerly named “Yaz”). Production of the sequel is tentatively set to begin during the 2010 Fall season and will welcome back producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald. Steven Spielberg is also set to return as executive producer. In a Sony Insider exclusive, we have very short footage of Will Smith (in 3D, hence the blurriness) in his black suit and slick shades teasing us about his upcoming role. The clip debuted at an exclusive Sony 3D TV launch event at Sony Pictures Studios. ">" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"> Men in Black III-D will hit theaters May 25, 2012. View the full article

It looks like VAIO J series is getting a nice bump in specs and also brings your fingers closer to the screen and if you were lasting after VAIO L Touch display, you should have no gripes (unless you wanna have a bigger screen) and get yourself an all in one VAIO J with Touch functionality. It will be available in two color skins in the US as in white and black and Japan gets an additional color – VAIO J in pink! I still feel like that the design in these VAIO is missing something, just does not cut it to the striking VAIO design we are (or at least I am) used to. Check out the full press release below and let us know what you think of this move. Would you rather have a VAIO Touch PC that looks like a slate or an all in one desktop? SAN DIEGO, June 8, 2010 – Sony today unveiled its new, affordable touch-enabled, multi-media machine- the VAIO

In the history of technology, 2010 will be remembered as the year that the consumer electronics industry launched 3D TV. All major television manufacturers are pulling their resources together to launch 3D televisions or have launched them already. Despite the fact that Samsung, LG and Panasonic have hit the US market with such products, many are still waiting to see what Sony will bring to the table. One of the best televisions (picture wise) in Sony’s upcoming 2010 3D BRAVIA lineup is most certainly the BRAVIA HX900 (aka HX909) series. How does the HX900 compare to one of the greatest Sony TV’s of all time, the XBR8/XR1/X4500? Before we begin, just know that both televisions mentioned here have the ability to display very bright whites and very dark blacks simultaneously. You see, the XBR8 and HX900 doesn’t depend on a single main backlight that’s always on. Instead, they clusters of LEDs to light the screen. This is far different than most other televisions that use edge-lit LED technology, as found in most TV’s today. The XBR8 and HX900 can turn off the LEDs in an area of shadow, but leave them on for bright sunlight. This incredible contrast allows scenes with both bright and dark areas to be displayed accurately. The HX900 is a full-array white LED backlit panel with local dimming; the number of LED array zones is rumored to be almost identical to the XBR8. The Intelligent Dynamic LED controls individual LED blocks instead of the entire LED backlight. The improved efficiency of this backlight system reduces power consumption but provides incredibly high contrast ratios, delivering unbelievable contrast, the deepest blacks imaginable and brilliant whites. Meanwhile, the OptiContrast panel in the HX900 minimizes the reflection and refraction of external light and internal backlight. With the clear surface treatment, the display produces deeper images with superior levels of blackness even in bright rooms. On top of these impressive technologies, the HX900 also boasts 3D compatibility, meaning it is 3D capable but you will need to buy the glasses and emitter (to make the glasses work) separately. Other notable features that set the HX900 above the XBR8 include 240Hz MotionFlow Pro, Bravia Engine 3, Ambient Sensor, and the ability to add Wi-Fi capability. The HX900 will be available in 46″ and 52″ sizes and most likely have a very competitive price point this summer. These features play a strong role in helping the HX900 series overcome the high standard Sony set for themselves two years ago with the XBR8. In the picture above taken several months ago, we can see the XBR8 on the left and the HX900 on the right – the difference in contrast is quite stunning. Both televisions are using the same feed. The XBR8 was released in 2008; at that time, it was one of the first of its kind that had Triluminos backlit RGB LED with local dimming. It blew the door off black level performance and color reproduction in LCD screens at the time, and is still heralded as one of the best TV’s Sony has made to date. Most other backlighting systems in TV’s rely on a combination of white lights and color filters. But the Triluminos system actually uses pure red, green, and blue LEDs to produce the XBR8’s picture. That’s why XBR8s can produce 100% of the broadcast TV color range, which isn’t something many other HDTVs can do. You’ll see colors that look deeper, purer, and more accurate. The XBR8 falls behind in terms of specification comparison (not talking about PQ here), and it has the best of what 2008 had to offer: 120Hz MotionFlow, Bravia Engine 2 Pro, Live Color, and several other features. The XBR8 does not have 3D compatibility, and came in two sizes – 46″ and 55″. Many reported issues with input lag – making gaming difficult unless the TV was put in gaming mode. However, gaming mode defeats the purpose of the high price of the XBR8 since it disables local dimming. The XBR8 was also a power hog as well at 480W in full use, whereas the HX900 comes in at nearly half at 201W in full usage. The reality of the situation is that Sony no longer produces the XBR8 – certain 55″ models can still be found (as they were produced in 2009) but they are most likely “used” at this point. Even a new in box situation would be suspect given the age of the product. If you are on the fence about these two products, looking forward, the HX900 seems to be the most sound investment. Those of you looking to upgrade from the XBR8 may have a tougher time deciding on the HX900, as the differences between XBR8 and the HX900 may not be strong enough to influence a new purchase, considering how much the XBR8 cost to begin with. However, the HX900 is the clear winner due to its added technologies and nearly identical image performance, despite the fact the XBR8 has backlit RGB LED’s. This is the first version of this post and we strongly encourage you to guide us on how to make this post more authoritative so we can finally lay this argument down to rest. Please leave comments with additions, clarifications and suggestions. View the full article

Pick up God of War III for $36.99. Gaming gets expensive, and a chance to save a few pennies is always welcome, especially when it’s on a signature title. If you haven’t had a chance to play the amazing God of War 3 for the PS3, now is the perfect time. God of War 3 is one of the PS3’s top sellers with over 1.1 million units sold worldwide. Amazon is running one of it’s Gold Box Deals, which let’s you snag the game on the cheap. Only a few hours left so jump on it! View the full article

Sony is releasing a $349 250GB PS3 bundle for Father’s Day. With the standalone price of a 250GB PS3 at $349, the extras included in the bundle add to the value. Included are one of the system’s most popular titles Little Big Planet and an HDMI (yes that’s right) cable. Amazon dates their arrival at June 12th leaving plenty of time before Father’s Day if you plan to pick one up. View the full article

A new video featuring the ability superspeed has been released by SOE. Jens Andersen Creative Director of DC Universe Online spotlights superspeed. As mentioned previously, players will have the ability to select superspeed as an ability, using the Flash as their base character and then expanding from there. In the brief clip, we are able to see it being focused as a weapon as well as being used to accomplish various actions such as running up buildings. " />"> One can only hope that as you level up you can tap in to the ?speed force? and have the godlike powers of speed Wally West and Barry Allen have. Overall based on that brief clip, it appears that superspeed is being implemented in an intuitive way, true to both the comics and Jim Lee?s character designs. I really felt a

Sucker Punch who produced the PS3 hit InFamous, are following it up with InFamous 2. E3 pre-release info just keeps coming. Game Informer released their July cover and Cole MacGrath is front and center, only this the time the game is InFamous 2. Sucker Punch didn’t rest on their laurels, but have added a new city, new powers, and Cole will face a new foe that will be revealed in their July issue. Cole also appears to have grown up some, changed his style from the original game, and is running for his life on the cover. Expect a full walk through in their exclusive 10 page story in their July issue. Take a look at the cover, and the character redesign below: Personally I like it, but as always, speak your mind in the comments. View the full article

About a month ago Sony USA did a soft release on the new PIIQ headphones and earphones, and it has now moved on to something international as confirmed by Sony Japan. The PIIQ family, officially known as Marqii, Giiq, Triqii, Qlasp, and Exhale are most certainly exotic and colorful. This new line is a bold experiment for Sony, and was made in collaboration with Japanese designer Rui Morisawa. Sony has played this smart by keeping prices fairly reasonable for the line, with options all the way to $99. There’s also the matter that these will definitely give you attention if you wear them out and about. Let’s get acquainted, shall we? First, we have the top of the PIIQ line headphone called Marqii (MDR-PQ1) at $99. The posh closed, dynamic (supra-aural) headphones feature 40mm drivers (1000mW capacity) and tout “powerful bass and supreme sound.” The pink padded headband keeps comfort in check while an adjustable headband ensures a comfortable fit. Another cool aspect is that the Marqii has a smooth, flat detachable 3.9 foot cord. Real life photos of the PIIQ line courtesy of AV Watch. View the full article

Killzone 3 is an upcoming 2011 first-person shooter for the PlayStation 3, developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the fourth installment in the Killzone series and the first game in the series to be presented in 3D. The game picks up immediately after the ending of Killzone 2 and follows the previous games’ main protagonist, Sev, a Special Forces operative fighting for the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance against the Helghast Empire. The game’s story has been referred to being similar to the story of David and Goliath. The game continues shortly after Sev successfully defeated Radec and Rico having killed Visari, the Helghast dictator who leaves them to a fleet of Helghast ships approaching them destroying ISA vessels. The death of their dictator has left the Helghast Empire in a state of internal struggles with political scheming against each other gripping the Helghast Empire. Now, Sev and his comrade Rico are trapped in the cross-fire between the various political factions in the Helghast Empire without any reinforcements and are left to fight alone in order to escape as the ISA struggles to regroup its forces. The game will also give players a deeper look in to Helghan culture such as their language and showcase whatever humanity they have left within them. Killzone 3’s story will also be a lot more light-hearted as compared to its predecessor which Guerrilla felt suffered from an overly serious and dark story which was one of the major complaints of the original, though they mentioned that it would not be too light-hearted as it is still a war. In addition, Guerrilla Games has also hired an external writer to focus on only writing the story-line so as to give a fresh perspective to the story as well as hiring a lot more Hollywood actors to elevate the level of storytelling within the dialogue of the game. Guerrilla Games has also mentioned that the game’s story will be an integral part of the game with dialogue and character development being greatly improved from its 2009 predecessor. In addition, Guerrilla Games has also said that they are curtailing the swearing in Killzone 3, which many felt were unnecessary in the dialogue of Killzone 2. They mentioned that the dialogue in the game should be focused on advancing the story rather than “gratuitous” off the scale swearing without reason. The gameplay will strongly resemble that of Killzone 2 albeit with several tweaks and changes. Unlike previous games in the series, the game will take place in various harsh environments such as Arctic landscapes, a lethal alien jungle, nuclear wastelands as well as space battles rather than only the city-scape environment which were present in its predecessors. Another notable new feature is the ability to use jet packs in the game, which were seen in Killzone: Liberation, however, these new jet packs will be used in a different manner than that of those that appeared in Killzone: Liberation. The game will also feature a revamped close combat melee system which include new brutal melee attacks as well as the ability to string together multiple attacks in a combo. Unlike its predecessor, Killzone 3 will feature fully destructible environments which is an improvement from its predecessor which featured only partially destructible environments in limited areas. A new weapon called the Wasp has also been revealed, which acts as a multi-firing Rocket Launcher. View the full article

Sony announced that it will discontinue production at its Hungarian manufacturing site in G