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Tetsuya Nomura? is a busy man, and it’s not going to stop anytime soon. , Nomura-san gives us some details on what his plans are after Final Fantasy Versus XIII. In short, if you are a Kingdom Hearts fan, it’s not going to end anytime soon In the Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Ultimania, in an interview Nomura-san revealed that Kingdom Hearts III, along with two other titles that are part of the same universe are planned for release. Kingdom Hearts III can’t move forward until after Versus XIII, but there is one title in planning that he hopes to release this year, and then the following year. What’s also surprising is that, KH III is described as concluding the Xehanort saga, but that the main character’s story would continue. With E3 right around the corner, let’s hope we get some sort of reveal with more details. source: Heartstation Related Posts:DC Universe Online – No Subscription FeeTokyo Game Show PS3/PSP Software Release ListTokyo Game Show 2009 DetailedSony Insider’s Most Anticipated PS3 Games For The Rest Of 2009Sony Brings New PSP Value Packs To Japan View the full article

This is one of many posts you will see from me based on what I call ” Six Degrees of Sony (shamelessly stolen from Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, or The Oracle of Bacon take your pick). Since Sony as an entity is so large and it’s reach extends so far, if it touches the Sony multiverse, in a logical way it will be covered. Don’t worry, I won’t cover a bagel shop in CA because, a friend of a guy heard from a dude that Jack Tretton ate there once…well not unless Jack asked me to personally And now back to your regularly scheduled article. Netflix Watch Instantly has become what I call a “virtual video appliance”

SonyStyle Canada has finally posted the long awaited 3D Bravias for Pre-Orders and in a way beat SonyStyle USA in that sense. However it is not the pre-orders we have been wondering about, but the pricing of Bravia HX and LX series. Just a reminder Bravia HX is the high end, sorta what the XBR line used to be. The HX900 is built to deliver a cinema quality viewing experience in your home. Sit back, relax and let the high performance Full LED picture technology amaze you as films, games or favorite TV shows become epic entertainment. Before we dive into pricing, here are a few things you want to know about it: HX900 series is the higher high end model and will be available in two screen flavors of 46 and 52 inches, also the LCD technology used in those two models will feature Intelligent Dynamic LED backlight. It’s interesting to note a small but unannounced discrepancy in its Motionflow offering (the tech behind ultra-smooth frame rate). Get this: Sony USA and Japan list this model with Motionflow Pro 240 Hz, however Sony Latvia boasts it with Motionflow Pro 400 Hz, and if you think there was a typo there, you can see an actual pic used to promote Motionflow. If you are interested to learn more about this link on AVS has some discussion about it, and a document specs list Motionflow 480 Hz for the US market. 2.

As promised, more on the PlayStation Move. At The Engadget Show which aired this past weekend, Dr. Peter Marks and Anton Mikhailov arrived to chat and show off the move. From the show, you really get a sense for all of the different applications that the hardware can be used for, and why Sony chose to bring it to market now. One of the most amazing tech demos shown is hard to describe. Imagine a 3D environment comprised of live video, photos and a map that you can bend, move, resize and place almost anywhere you want in this virtual space. Creation of images, shapes, and screens are all done using gesture based control converging on the same screen (think John Anderton). I can’t honestly see augmented reality ever getting old. Now imagine being able to use the Move controller to manipulate the camera, looking up, down, left, right and being able to zoom in on any part of this virtual room/display. It sounds out there, but it’s not. And it all runs amazingly well on what are just tech demos. It’s easy to see a future where, instead of just a virtual tour of the U.S. Supreme Court, you actually walk through it, interact with it, and pick up items and read them. The multitouch demo was easily one of the most impressive things I have seen in a long time. To see it all in action, check out the replay of the show and fast forward to about the 43:34 second mark: Dr. Marks also addresses why, from the time he started working on this type of tech back in 2004 until now, it finally arrived on the scene. Of all the factors involved, one of which was CPU consumption. Apparently the PS2 Eyetoy consumed aproximately 25% of the consoles power right off the top, making it more difficult to present this as viable option to developers, when the accessories market was a tough one to compete in. He also explains that Sony investigated the same type of tech Microsoft is using for Natal, but chose to go a different route because it was felt that to offer the type of experience they wanted, hand and body based gestures only would be too limited. During the conversation the subject of lag came up (at round the 1:03:34 mark), and Dr. Marks commented on the latency delay

The Playstation Portable (officially abbreviated PSP) is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on May 11, 2003 at a Sony press conference before E3 2004. The system was released in Japan on December 12, 2004, in North America on March 24, 2005, and in the PAL region on September 1, 2005. 17 million units of the PSP system have been sold in the U.S. to-date. The PlayStation Portable is the first handheld video game console to use an optical disc format, Universal Media Disc (UMD), as its primary storage medium. Since 2005, more than 245 developers have created software titles for the platform since launch. To date, users can choose from more than 520 software titles available in the U.S. on UMD and more than 300 titles on the PlayStation Network. With award-winning first-party software titles including God of War: Chains of Olympus, Gran Turismo, LittleBigPlanet, Resistance: Retribution, and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo, and triple-A third-party franchises such as FINAL FANTASY (Square Enix, Inc.) and Grand Theft Auto (RockStar Games), the PSP software library features a variety of titles from every major publisher. Access to PlayStation Store was introduced to PSP owners in 2007 and has since helped to establish PlayStation Network as the premier destination for downloadable gaming and entertainment content. Today, PlayStation Network offers PSP owners tens of thousands of digital entertainment choices, including over 20,000 movies and TV episodes, “minis,” digital comics, original programming, as well as more than 300 games, many of which are exclusive. PSP hardware has continued to evolve from the original PSP-1000 system, which boasted a best-in-class, 4.3 inch high-resolution LCD display, more than 125 games at launch, and built-in wireless communications. In 2007, SCE released the PSP-2000 system, which was 33 percent lighter than the original model. In 2008, the PSP-3000 system debuted, which featured an enhanced LCD screen with five times the color contrast ratio of previous models. In fall 2009, the PSP go system was made available in North America, becoming the first and only all-digital, full-game handheld entertainment system on the market. Sales of the PSP have (with cyclical exceptions) lagged behind its main competitor, the Nintendo DS. Nevertheless, the console is “the most successful non-Nintendo handheld game system ever sold.” Related Posts:Sony Sells 50 Million PlayStation 2 Consoles, 500 Million GamesSony Sells 10 Million PSP’s in JapanSony Officially Starts Selling Playstation Products In VietnamSony’s Playstation Brand Turns 15PS3 Motion Controller set for Spring 2010 View the full article

Sony is partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to bolster the global fight to end poverty by 2015, with a special focus on the campaign to reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS. Stopping the rise of HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases is one of eight key Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) UN member nations are striving to achieve within the next five years. The other goals are to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; to establish universal primary education; to promote gender equality; to reduce child mortality; to improve maternal health; to ensure environmental sustainability. The partnership’s AIDS-awareness campaign in Africa, called “Public Viewing in Africa,” will focus on bringing health information to vulnerable communities in Cameroon and Ghana. This summer, Sony will set up large screens to broadcast live, for free, approximately 20 FIFA World Cup matches, allowing people in areas where TVs are scarce to see the matches. Throughout the games, UNDP, JICA and local partners will also be offering the viewers HIV and AIDS counseling, and advocacy materials. Both countries’ national football teams will be participating in the World Cup, to be held in South Africa this June and July. “I am delighted that Sony can contribute to the prevention of HIV and AIDS through our partnership with JICA and UNDP, while also delivering great football experiences to the people of Cameroon and Ghana through our cutting-edge technology and sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation. “Sony will continue to support the UN’s efforts to achieve the MDGs, as a central part of our ongoing CSR activities.” UNDP and Sony will be working together on several global initiatives throughout the year to advocate for the Millennium Development Goals through the use of Sony’s advanced technology, and its worldwide presence. Sony has also launched an innovative website and effort called “Earth F.C.” that we will be detailing in a future post. “The World Cup brings people together, both as teams, and as nations cheering on their players. The same can be true for the Millennium Development Goals,” said UNDP Administrator Helen Clark. “There can be no spectators in the fight against poverty. Everyone has a role to play in scoring the 8 Millennium Development Goals, which if reached would improve the quantity and quality of life for many hundreds of millions of people across developing countries.” This year, by conducting the joint project during the biggest sporting event of the year, the World Cup, the partners aim to attract approximately 13,000 participants, and ensure there are approximately 1,800 recipients of HIV tests. “FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa is a wonderful opportunity to reaffirm the world’s solidarity with Africa,” said JICA President, Sadako Ogata. “Sony, UNDP and JICA together will take a step forward to open the door to be closer to Africa. Collaborative efforts between people in Africa and all over the world are indispensable to bring about global peace and prosperity.” Although football is the most popular and closely followed sport in Cameroon and Ghana, the countries are characterized by low rates of household TV penetration (22 percent in Cameroon, and 21 percent in Ghana) with many people unable to watch football matches on TV and support their home country. Some of you may also remember our previous story in late 2009 about this matter, called “Sony And JICA Team Up To Combat HIV/AIDS.” Related Posts:Sony And JICA Team Up To Combat HIV/AIDSSony Ericsson Launches Extra Man Campaign For 2010 FIFA World CupFIFA World Cup To Be Shown For Free In 3DSE becomes Official Mobile Handset of 2010 FIFA World CupSony Malaysia And UNICEF Join Forces Through Football View the full article

Eat, Pray, Love is the title of an upcoming film based on the memoir of the same name by American author Elizabeth Gilbert, co-written and directed by Ryan Murphy. It began filming in August 2009 and will be released in the USA courtesy of Sony Pictures on August 13th, 2010. Filming locations for the film include New York, Naples (Italy), Pataudi (India), and Bali (Indonesia). Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having — a husband, a house, a successful career — yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self—discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali. Based upon the bestselling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love proves that there really is more than one way to let yourself go and see the world. Here’s the movie trailer: Related Posts:The Hottest Sony Playstation 3 Games Of E3 2009Sony At CEDIA 2009 Round Up“Dear John” From Author Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook) Coming February 5th“Grown Ups” Coming Summer 2010 With All Star CastPS3’s New Ad Campaign – “It Does Everything” View the full article

Violinist Ray Chen, who captivated the classical music scene with his consecutive victories at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2009 (video below) and the Yehudi Menuhin Competition in 2008, has signed an exclusive multi-year recording contract with Sony Classical. In February of this year, Mr. Chen signed a worldwide general management contract with CAMI Music. His first album on Sony Classical, slated to be released at the end of 2010, will feature a selection of pieces – from Bach to Sarasate – that reflect the scope of Mr. Chen’s talent as well as his compelling personality. An orchestral recording dedicated to late 19th century virtuoso repertoire is planned for 2011. Born in Taiwan and raised in Australia, Ray Chen made his solo orchestral debut at the age of 8. He was accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music at the age of 15, where he continues to work with Aaron Rosand on expanding his repertoire. Mr. Chen plays the “Huggins” Stradivarius, on loan from The Nippon Music Foundation, and the 1721 Stradivarius known as “The Macmillan”, provided as part of the award for winning the 2008-09 Young Concert Artists International Auditions in New York. His recent performances, including debut recitals at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and the Merkin Hall in New York, have enraptured both the audiences and the critics. “Ray Chen can do pretty much anything he wants on the violin” (Anne Midgette, The Washington Post). “From the first notes there was no doubt of being in the presence of something very special” (Dennis Rooney, The Strad). Mr. Chen’s rendition of Bach’s Double Violin Concerto became the much-discussed highlight of the 2009 Aspen Music Festival. Maxim Vengerov, who met Mr. Chen while serving on the jury of the Menuhin Competition in Cardiff, immediately engaged him to perform with the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra in St. Petersburg as well as at the opening concert of the next Menuhin Competition in April 2010 in Oslo. “I have had the pleasure of knowing Ray Chen since his triumph at the Yehudi Menuhin Competition,” says Maxim Vengerov. “Ray has proven himself to be a very pure musician with great qualities such as a beautiful youthful tone, vitality and lightness. He has all the skills of a truly musical interpreter.” Ray Chen said: “I am very excited to become a Sony Classical artist and I am looking forward to this wonderful collaboration. Our joint mission is to capture the excitement, passion, and life in a performance of the finest quality and to bring them to the audiences worldwide”. Bogdan Roscic, President of Sony Classical, said: “For me, experiencing the musicianship of Ray Chen for the first time was as exciting and the decision to sign him as immediate as with Gustavo Dudamel a few years ago. I was absolutely convinced only minutes into the very first piece I ever heard from him. Since then, I have become acquainted with a young musician who seems to have it all: an amazing, instantly recognizable tone; a charismatic personality and a musical authority quite unusual for someone his age. He is at the beginning of a major recording career and it is a privilege to be able to build it with him.” Related Posts:Pianist Lang Lang Signs Deal With Sony Music EntertainmentThe Hottest Sony Playstation 3 Games Of E3 2009Sony At CEDIA 2009 Round UpVideo: Taylor Swift Performs “Love Story” At Sony’s CES 2010 Press ConferencePS3’s New Ad Campaign – “It Does Everything” View the full article

The first rocket to reach the moon had less computing power than the latest Sony VAIO series notebooks. Can a new Sony VAIO design, operate and launch a rocket? Find out at The Rocket Project. Over the course of the next few months, eight students assisted by Tom Atchison and the Rocket Mavericks team will attempt to design, launch and operate a rocket using new Sony VAIO CW, F, and Z series notebooks. These computers will be essential in the design stage, facilitating all Computer-Aided Engineering – CAD, aerodynamic simulation, computational fluid dynamics, dispersion analysis and Monte Carlo simulation. VAIO computers will also power the flight simulation software – ASTOS, RS-Pro, and Rocksim – and facilitate calculations for dispersion analysis, gas dynamics, aerodynamic stability, dynamic stability, structural loading, thermal heat transfer flux, fin flutter stability and much, much more. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> On April 12, 2010, the Rocket Project students will travel to the famous Black Rock Desert in Nevada to put their experiment to the ultimate test by launching their rocket as high as possible into the atmosphere. A VAIO computer will operate GPS tracking, telemetry, avionics monitoring, video and anything else the team can imagine. Be sure to check out the constantly updated Rocket Project page, flickr stream and YouTube videos of the project. As part of the Rocket Project powered by Sony and Intel, Sony Electronics has pledged to donate $1 to ReadySetLaunch, Inc. for every new fan of the Sony Electronics Facebook page leading up to the April 2010 conclusion of the Rocket Project, up to $25,000. Related Posts:Sony VAIO X Series Designer Interview (Video)Sony At CEDIA 2009 Round UpThe Hottest Sony Playstation 3 Games Of E3 2009Sony Ericsson To Reveal Android XPERIA Phone On November 3rdSony VAIO X Gets a Hot Promo Video View the full article

Designed to create a remarkable sense of space, the BRAVIA NX800 HDTV features a stunning monolithic design and innovative six-degree tilt, so you can position your TV at lower levels for a more comfortable and enjoyable viewing experience. An Edge LED backlight and BRAVIA Engine 3 video processor delivers superior, life-like image with amazing contrast and color. Fast moving images will never look smoother either with incredible 240hz Motion Flow technology, which delivers an unbelievably smooth, crisp and fluid picture. Furthermore, break away from the norm with attractive features such as integrated BRAVIA Internet Video and widgets, built-in Wi-Fi, a USB input, LightSensor technology and Energy Saving Switch round out the feature set. There are three NX800 models available – 46″ BRAVIA KDL-46NX800, 52″ BRAVIA KDL-52NX800, and the mammoth 60″ BRAVIA KDL-60NX800. Unfortunately, the metallic stand is sold separately and seems to be only available for the 46″ and 52″ NX800 models – we think they should have just included it in the package. The NX800 will also be 3D capable with the upcoming TMR-BR100 3D emitter for active shutter glasses. Featuring a stunning monolithic design with a unique six-degree tilt option, the Edge LED backlit BRAVIA NX700 Series HDTV creates a remarkable sense of space by allowing you to position the TV at lower levels for a more comfortable viewing experience. Motionflow 120Hz refresh rate technology delivers smooth motion detail in fast-paced scenes while BRAVIA Engine 3 video processor produces superior, life-like image with amazing contrast and color. Integrated BRAVIA Internet Video and Widgets, built-in Wi-Fi, a USB input and LightSensor technology round out the feature set. There are two NX700 models available – 40″ BRAVIA KDL-40NX700 and the 46″ BRAVIA KDL-46NX700. The metallic stand is sold separately and is available for both models. Here is a video of Sony USA President/COO Stan Glasgow introducing the BRAVIA NX series at CES 2010: " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> Related Posts:Sony’s Random $5,399 Dream Setup At CEDIA Expo 2009Say Hello To Sony Bravia NX SeriesSonyStyle Supports Breast Cancer Awareness MonthKDL-65W5100 Bravia Quietly Lands at SonyStyleAino Debuts To US Market On SonyStyle At $600 Unlocked View the full article

We’ve spoken to a high level Sony representative about some specifics regarding their upcoming 3D strategy as there are still many questions out there. One of the most important aspects of the upcoming 3D home theater experience is the active shutter glasses that you must wear to enjoy the experience. Active shutter technology is far different than the plastic polarized glasses one may have used at a movie theater – click here to learn more. Sony Japan recently gave us an idea about how much this necessary accessory would cost, but we were still unsure about a very important fact: battery life. Sony expects the battery life for the TDG-BR100 and TDG-BR50 active shutter 3D glasses to be 100 hours of use. The glasses are only in use when they receive the 3D sync signal from the TV, otherwise they go into standby mode with no drain on the battery. At launch time Sony will only offer battery powered glasses, and have not detailed induction-based (e.g. Powermat) models. We were pleased to learn that you can also use as many glasses as you want as long as they can receive the IR signal. Related Posts:Sony Japan Reveals Active Shutter 3D TV Glasses And Emitter PricingSony Will Use RealD’s 3D Technology In Its Consumer Electronics StrategyHands On With RealD’s CrystalEyes 4 Active Shutter 3D Glasses, And The Framework For Sony’s 3D MovementThe Final Version of Sony’s Active Shutter 3D GlassesMeet The BRAVIA XBR HX Series – Sony’s New LED Backlit LCD HDTV View the full article

Venezuela’s Electricidad de Caracas CA, which provides electricity to the capital Caracas, will suspend power to 80 businesses tomorrow for 24 hours. The businesses, including Sony’s local unit, Sony de Venezuela SA, failed to reduce electricity consumption by 20 percent or more as ordered by President Hugo Chavez. He issued the decree to avoid a collapse of the power grid as a severe drought shrinks hydroelectric production that provides more than 66 percent of Venezuela’s electricity, according to a statement published today in the Ultimas Noticias newspaper. Those losing supply mostly include restaurants in Caracas along with the Caraballeda Yacht Club, several hotels and the state-run Fondo Unico Social which handles financing for Chavez’s social programs, the statement said. The businesses may lose power for as long as three days or face an indefinite cut if they fail to reduce power consumption in coming weeks, the statement said. “We have to cut power to a group of nearly 100 high consumers,” Chavez said today on his “Alo Presidente” on state television. “Others are on a waiting list because they continue to waste electricity. If they continue like this they’ll lose power indefinitely.” Danish food maker East Asiatic Co.’s local unit Plumrose Latinoamericana CA, Mexican food maker Grupo Bimbo SAB’s local unit, China’s Huawei Technologies de Venezuela, Canadian oil field servicing company Eveready de Venezuela CA and state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA were all recognized for complying with the energy decree, according to the statement. Related Posts:Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Calls PlayStation Games ‘Poison’ To ChildrenSony Is Green – Reduces 100,000 Tons Of CO2 & Other InitiativesSony’s New CycleEnergy USB Portable Power SupplyUnderstanding The Features Of Sony’s Greenest Television: The Bravia WE5Sony Details New RGB Laser Light Source Module For Projectors View the full article

The launch of what Sony describes as their new ?virtual platform? continues to gain steam: The PlayStation Move. Since the announcement at GDC 2010, it?s clear Sony is placing itself squarely in the versus position against the motion rivals of Nintendo and Microsoft. Adding to the ?It Only Does Everything? marketing slogan since the launch of the PS3 Slim, a whole new segment of users seeking a motion experience are now looking at the PS3 as a viable option. And the existing install base has yet another to reason to be happy about their PS3 investment. With news updates, and changes always constant, this will be more of a follow up, hitting the high points, and defining what we know and what we don?t. If you are considering a motion gaming solution, or have questions about if the Move is for you, this should help. I will try to aggregate as many links as possible, to give our casual readers a high level overview of what this is all about. In a Nutshell what is the PlayStation Move? The Move is Sony?s entrance into what is being defined as the ?motion gaming? category. This allows having a players actions made with the controller to be analyzed, and then translated into gameplay on screen. Interactive titles such as tennis, bowling and racquetball can now be carried out (as they are on the Wii) by performing movements similar to the actual action. As the underlying technology is much different than that of the Wii, it allows movements to be more accurately translated in the gaming space.

Sony’s Backstage service, which launched in the USA a while ago, is Sony’s support service for consumers that provides personalized care primarily for VAIO computers. Backstage offers a general range of support that is aimed towards those who aren’t familiar with procedures such as PC orientation and customization, memory/external hardware installation, data migration/recovery, etc. Sony Japan has recently launched their version of Backstage, which is very similar to the American version except it offers support for more products. Sony Japan has created unboxing and setup videos for nearly all of their current products, for example. Sony’s Backstage service in Japan emphasizes on the personal interaction one would typically get at an Apple store. When you purchase a product at Sony Store Nagoya, yo can bring the product up to one of the counters and the helpful staff will help you with initial configuration and basic usage. Digital camera owners (e.g. DSLR) can use Backstage to learn about how to use the media card, battery installation, proper ways to use the strap and other configuration options within. There is also a special part of Sony Store Nagoya that has a little Backstage office with a windows so you can see your VAIO PC being worked on. Sony offers services such as OS upgrade, memory installation, virus removal, and so forth. Sony can also come to you in their Backstage three-wheeled scooter. How rad! Related Posts:Pictorial: Sony Store Nagoya Opens Today In JapanSony Offers New Backstage Remote Computer ServiceSony Japan And Disney Dress Up The S-Series Walkman With Mickey And MinnieSony BX Series BRAVIA TV Reborn In Japan With Built-In 500GB HDDSony Shows Off New 3D Capable Home Theater Audio Systems View the full article

In a rather sensational story posted yesterday by the New York Times, apparently Google has courted Intel and Sony and they are actively working on a new platform called Google TV. The main goal here is to finally bring a cohesive web experience to the living room through next generation TV’s and set-top boxes. While this type of technology exists already, and has existed for a while, the whole scene is very fragmented. In terms of TV’s, nearly every major CE manufacturer has Internet video and content functionality, but it isn’t intuitive for many consumers to use. The play is great for Google and Intel as they try to diversify their portfolio away from computing, and a total win for Sony who has had a roller coaster ride for the last few years with their TV strategy. NYT believes that this will enable Sony to get a “leg up on its competitors” by allowing them to have the first accessories and TV’s with this new system – it may even inspire a new sub-brand. However, I remain skeptical. Is this WebTV 2.0? Or the first real attempt at unionizing the best of the Internet on TV? The partners envision technology that will make it as easy for TV users to navigate Web applications, like the Twitter social network and the Picasa photo site, as it is to change the channel. Some existing televisions and set-top boxes offer access to Web content, but the choice of sites is limited. Google intends to open its TV platform, which is based on its Android operating system for smartphones, to software developers. The company hopes the move will spur the same outpouring of creativity that consumers have seen in applications for cellphones. Google is expected to deliver a toolkit to outside programmers within the next couple of months, and products based on the software could appear as soon as this summer. The three companies have tapped Logitech, which specializes in remote controls and computer speakers, for peripheral devices, including a remote with a tiny keyboard. The project, which has been under way for several months, was described by people with knowledge of it. They requested anonymity because the partners were not allowed to speak publicly at this point, and details remained under negotiation. Spokesmen for Google, Intel and Logitech declined to comment. A Sony spokesman said he was not familiar with the project. The companies appear to be hiring for Android-related jobs. Intel, for example, has listed jobs for senior application engineers with Android programming experience who can help extend Intel’s technology “from PC screen to mobile screen and TV screen.” Logitech also has several job listings for Android developers, including a position for an “embedded software engineer” with experience building “audio and video products based on the Android platform.” Jacob Hsu, chief executive of Symbio, a contract engineering firm that does work for consumer electronics companies, said there was rising interest in set-top box technology among the traditional computing players. “The boxes are just getting more and more powerful, so there’s more you can do with them,” he said. For Google, the project is a pre-emptive move to get a foothold in the living room as more consumers start exploring ways to bring Web content to their television sets. Google wants to aggressively ensure that its services, in particular its search and advertising systems, play a central role. “Google wants to be everywhere the Internet is so they can put ads there,” said one of the people with knowledge of the project. Based on Google’s Android operating system, the TV technology runs on Intel’s Atom chips. Google has built a prototype set-top box, but the technology may be incorporated directly into TVs or other devices. The Google TV software will present users with a new interface for TVs that lets them perform Internet functions like search while also pulling down Web programming like YouTube videos or TV shows from Hulu.com. The technology will also allow downloadable Web applications, like games and social networks, to run on the devices. A person with knowledge of the project said that Google TV would use a version of Google’s Chrome Web browser, which currently does not work on Android phones. A person with knowledge of the Google TV project said that the set-top box technology was advanced enough that Google had begun a limited test with Dish Network, one of Google’s partners in the TV Ads program. A spokeswoman for Dish Network declined to comment. This month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Google and Dish were testing a TV program search service. Related Posts:PSP v4 Update Will Include XMB Google SearchGoogle Android And The Upcoming Sony Walkman Product StrategySony Ericsson “XPERIA X10” vs. Apple “iPhone 3G S” Specs ComparisonVAIO to Include Google Chrome as a Default BrowserSony Music Catalog Included In Google China Free Music Service View the full article

Sony Style and Intel invite you to visit an “Experience Station” while you are shopping and unwind with Sony’s line of new VAIO PCs for 2010 (powered with the faster, smarter Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors), play MLB10 on PS3, or simply take a moment to enter for a chance to win a new VAIO E Series notebook (VPCEB1KGX/B) and a Webbie HD camera in Sony’s Intel i5 powered Sweepstakes. To enter, just visit a participating Sony Style Retail Store location and complete the entry form, available while supplies last, and deposit it in the designated entry box. All in-store entries must be received by close of business on 3/21/10 to be eligible for the applicable drawing. Limit one (1) entry per person and per household. The best part about this contest is that the prizes are individual to each store, and it is not a mass drawing amongst all stores. This means you have a very good chance to win! The giveaway begins on 3/18/10 and ends on 3/21/10 for each of the following participating Sony Style Retail Stores: Sony Plaza, 550 Madison Ave., NY, NY Copley Plaza, 100 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA Houston Galleria, 5015 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX Stanford Shopping Center, 359 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA Fashion Valley, 7007 Friars Road, San Diego, CA Fashion Center at Pentagon City, 1100 South Hayes Street, Arlington, VA Town Center at Boca Raton, 6000 West Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL Roosevelt Field Mall, 630 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta, GA Aventura Mall, 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, FL Related Posts:Sony Style To Offer Backstage ServicesSonyStyle’s “My Style” To Offer Exclusive Products & ServicesWin a VAIO and Tickets to the Tonight ShowCheck Out Oprah’s Word A Day GiveawaySony Needs To Add Intel Core i7 Options To Vaio Desktop Line View the full article

Sony Style and Intel invite you to visit an “Experience Station” while you are shopping and unwind with Sony’s line of new VAIO PCs for 2010 (powered with the faster, smarter Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors), play MLB10 on PS3, or simply take a moment to enter for a chance to win a new VAIO E Series notebook (VPCEB1KGX/B) and a Webbie HD camera in Sony’s Intel i5 powered Sweepstakes. To enter, just visit a participating Sony Style Retail Store location and complete the entry form, available while supplies last, and deposit it in the designated entry box. All in-store entries must be received by close of business on 3/21/10 to be eligible for the applicable drawing. Limit one (1) entry per person and per household. The best part about this contest is that the prizes are individual to each store, and it is not a mass drawing amongst all stores. This means you have a very good chance to win! The giveaway begins on 3/18/10 and ends on 3/21/10 for each of the following participating Sony Style Retail Stores: Sony Plaza, 550 Madison Ave., NY, NY Copley Plaza, 100 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA Houston Galleria, 5015 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX Stanford Shopping Center, 359 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA Fashion Valley, 7007 Friars Road, San Diego, CA Fashion Center at Pentagon City, 1100 South Hayes Street, Arlington, VA Town Center at Boca Raton, 6000 West Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL Roosevelt Field Mall, 630 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta, GA Aventura Mall, 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, FL Related Posts:Sony Style To Offer Backstage ServicesSonyStyle’s “My Style” To Offer Exclusive Products & ServicesWin a VAIO and Tickets to the Tonight ShowCheck Out Oprah’s Word A Day GiveawaySony Needs To Add Intel Core i7 Options To Vaio Desktop Line View the full article

SCEA has revealed the North American version of the Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker PSP Entertainment Pack, combining Konami’s award-winning METAL GEAR SOLID franchise with the PSP-3000 system. To coincide with the launch of the stand-alone game, this exclusive package will be offered at major retail locations in the United States and Canada for $199. Available on June 8, 2010, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is a complete Metal Gear Solid game on UMD and features an extensive amount of gameplay that will revolutionize previous notions of a handheld game experience. The limited-edition package will debut a “Spirited Green” PSP-3000 system, marking the first time the color will be available in North America. It’s the same green PSP that we saw Sony release in Japan at the beginning of 2009. In addition, special in-game content will also be included: an exclusive Camouflage Uniform with FOX logos and Stealth Gun feature, both of which will be unlocked early in the game; a PlayStation Network downloadable movie voucher (U.S. residents only; title to be announced); and a 2GB Memory Stick Pro Duo will complete this ultimate portable entertainment package. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> “Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker takes tactical-espionage to a whole new level and the PSP system is the only handheld entertainment system on the market powerful enough to support its rich graphics and extreme gameplay,” said Shinji Hirano, President, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “We’ve seen the Metal Gear Solid franchise perform exceptionally well on the PSP platform. SCEA has long been an industry leader and a valuable partner and we look forward to many more collaborations with SCEA in the future.” I think I’d rather take the official Konami Japan Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker PSP bundle that was announced this past January. Much better looking than this – why can’t we get some of that sweet action in the USA? Related Posts:The Hottest Sony Playstation 3 Games Of E3 2009Limited Edition PS3 Bundle Featuring Michael Jackson “This is It”The $249 Sony PSP Go Does Not Have A TouchscreenSony Ericsson To Reveal Android XPERIA Phone On November 3rdSony At CEDIA 2009 Round Up View the full article

LOVEFiLM is a British DVD rental company which provides online DVD rentals and resale, console game rental and film online viewing in the UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Germany. It operates the LoveFilm website and delivery infrastructure for an array of branded services in partnership with other British companies. LoveFilm has over 1 million members, over 65,000 titles, and over 4 million rentals per month across five countries. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the latest being the Amazon DVD rental activities, LoveFilm has in a few years become the dominant online DVD rental outlet in the UK, forcing most of the smaller independent companies to close down. You can see the similarities between LOVEFiLM and Netflix. If you live in the aforementioned countries, now you can access thousands of movies from LOVEFiLM’s catalog on your BRAVIA Internet enabled TV, which includes nearly all of the 2010 models and quite a few from the past. Thankfully Sony is including Wi-Fi adapters with many of their newer TV’s making this a sweet addition for some of you out there. The best part is that more services are coming soon as Sony looks to expand its BRAVIA Internet Video offerings, as well as revealing Qriocity to the public for the first time. Images courtesy Electricpig and Crave UK. Related Posts:Meet The BRAVIA XBR HX Series – Sony’s New LED Backlit LCD HDTVNetflix Coming to BRAVIA TV setsCNET Seems Disappointed With Bravia Internet Video Link (DMX-NV1)Gizmodo Reviews Entire Bravia Link Home Theater SystemSony Bravia KDL-40EX40B with Integrated Blu-ray Player View the full article

Michael Jackson has secured the largest recording deal in the history of the business and there are two winners in the equation. Michael Jackson’s estate will net easily $200 million out of the deal, and Sony wins because they will get nine albums out of the deal. The Washington Post thinks its ten albums, which is simply astounding. Despite already having around a dozen albums to his name, MJ kept writing and recording songs during all of the legal, financial and medical matters during the last years of his life. You must remember he hadn’t released an album since Invincible (aside from This Is It) so it will be interesting to see what happens. This will also mean he will eventually have 20 albums to his name. Sony has noted that a new record is scheduled to be released this November. Related Posts:Michael Jackson’s Thriller Costume For The “This Is It” TourMichael Jackson Leaves This WorldSony Pictures Aggressively Bidding For Michael Jackson FilmNew Michael Jackson Album and Song set for ReleaseOasis Brokers Long-Term Deal With Sony View the full article

God of War III is an action-adventure video game for PlayStation 3, developed by Sony Santa Monica, and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was released today in North America and will be released soon after in other territories. It is the fifth and final chapter in the current story arc, chronologically after God of War: Chains of Olympus, God of War, God of War: Betrayal, and God of War II. The storyline will be told in a way that is true to traditionalist roots in Greek mythology, from moral consequences to brutal battles against the Gods. However, there has been some concern that the true impact of the game might be minimized as there have been various reports of PS3 shortages around North America. GOWIII is a single player game that allows players to take on the climatic role of the ex-Spartan warrior, Kratos, as he scales through the intimidating heights of Mount Olympus and the dark depths of Hell to seek revenge on those who have betrayed him. Armed with double-chained blades, and an array of new weapons and magic for this iteration of the trilogy, Kratos must take on mythology?s darkest creatures while solving intricate puzzles throughout his merciless quest to destroy Olympus. Check out all the great God of War III guides at Playstation Lifestyle. Utilizing a new game engine built from the ground up and state-of-the-art visual technologies, the development team behind God of War III has made standard-setting strides in giving players the realistic feel of actually being on the battlegrounds. With texture resolutions quadrupling since God of War II on PlayStation, God of War III will features fluid, lifelike characters, as well as dynamic lighting effects, a robust weapon system, and world-changing scenarios that will truly bring unmistakable realism to Kratos? fateful quest. Players will have a chance to join battles on a grand scale that is four times larger than its predecessor. There are more realistic muscle striations, detailed facial expressions, and new heightened levels of brutality and gore. Several of the menacing creatures of Greek mythology in God of War III can now be manipulated against their will, as Kratos uses them to cross chasms, inflict blind rage against enemies, reveal puzzles and secrets, and as tools of complete annihilation. New deadly weapons such as the Cestus – powerful metal gauntlets with devastating strength – and other brutal instruments of war that will allow Kratos to learn ruthless new techniques such as grappling with enemies and launching explosive wall-to-ground attacks. The dynamic lighting solution employed in GOW III is only feasible through the computing power provided by the Cell SPUs. For example, using the High Dynamic Range Lighting (HDRL) technology, the camera ? when using Kratos? sight line ? will emulate the human retina, causing players to feel a sharp brightness when Kratos exits a dark area and enters a sunlit area, similar to how the human eye would need to adjust. Destructoid gave the game a perfect 10 saying that “it’s a game that redefines scale in action games, one of the few titles that truly hammers home the meaning of ‘last-gen.’ God of War III is like nothing you’ve ever seen or experienced in gaming.” They continue to say, “without question, God of War III sets the new gold standard for action games, clearing and then raising the near-impossible bar that was set by its previous installments. For many years to come, this will be the game by which all others in the genre are compared, and I suspect we won’t see anything like it for quite some time. If God of War III was the reason you bought a PS3, your purchase has been justified and then some.” 1UP.com gave the game an A saying that “while the new ideas and variety prevent God of War 3 from feeling stale and provide loads of fun, the story and boss fights stand out as the most memorable parts of the game.” They also commented that the leviathan fight at the beginning of the game is “one of the most impressive fights” they’ve seen in a game. They even went on to say that “the animation and camera angles make the cut-scenes better than you see in most movies.” GameInformer went on to say that the cinematic camera work is even more impressive than Naughty Dog?s feats with Uncharted 2. They also praised the gameplay, however, they said that the only area that God of War III didn’t blow them away was with the story. “The plot isn?t bad or difficult to follow, but it also doesn?t have any standout revelations or developments; Kratos hunts down the gods, kills them, and steps over the corpse to reach his next target until Olympus is in shambles. It isn?t a major problem, however, because the real joy isn?t in the events themselves, but rather in the astonishing ways those events unfold.” GameInformer gave the game a perfect 10/10. IGN, giving the game a 9.3/10, praised the game saying that “God of War III practically redefines what the word ’scale’ means with regards to videogames, as it throws you into scenes with Titans that are larger than entire levels in some other games.” The only complaint the IGN reviewer had was “that two of the three additional weapons that you’ll earn are extremely similar to your blades. They have unique powers and slightly different moves, but by and large, they’re more of the same.” In terms of visuals, the reviewer said that “God of War III presents some of the most impressive visuals that I’ve ever seen in a game. Kratos in particular looks phenomenal, and is perhaps the single most impressive-looking character ever in videogames.” Related Posts:Details Emerge For The $99 God of War III Ultimate EditionGod Of War III Gameplay Video From GDC 2009Blockbuster PS3 256-Player In A Server FPS MAG On Sale TomorrowSony Online Entertainment And Wizards Of The Coast Announce Magic: The Gathering – TacticsPictorial/Video: Scenes From Sony?s Booth At CES 2010 View the full article

Sony Europe is showing off a new digital wireless RF headphone called the MDR-RF4000 with 30 meter range and high quality sound. These piano black headphones are rather large, but are quite comfortable thanks in part to the swivel circumaural cushions and a parallel-link self-adjusting headband. This ensures comfort for your listening experience, even for long durations of time. However, they seem a little heavy at 300g, which is .6 pounds. There is also a handy volume control on the headphone so you don’t have to bother reaching for the remote. Digital RF transmission ensures clear, secure signal reception over a range of up to 30m. The headphone’s closed-type design cuts sound spillage, so there’s no need to disturb others while you’re enjoying the action packed finale of a favorite movie. The MDR-RF4000K also comes with a stylish storage/charging dock that goes along well with their usual minimalistic design principles. The slim, convenient storage case doubles as a cable-free battery charger. After use, just fold the ear cups flat and the MDR-RF4000K stows neatly away while the battery recharges. The power-efficient design allows up to 7 hours continuous listening time between charges of the NiMH battery. Alternatively, slip in a single AAA alkaline battery and enjoy up to 10 hours listening without a break. An auto power-save feature switches off the headphone when it’s not being used, extending listening time still further. Related Posts:Sony DR-BT21IK/B Bluetooth Headset Pictorial/Mini-ReviewSony Confirms S-Series Walkman Update With Built-In SpeakersNEW Sony VAIO Notebooks Emerge at CES 2010Picture Surfaces Of Blue DR-BT101 Stereo Bluetooth HeadphonesSony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Battery Life Revealed View the full article

Sony Europe has revealed several new smart clock radios with an iPod/iPhone charging/playback dock that will be available this Spring. The new ICF-DS11iP and ICF-C05iP are another evolution of Sony’s commitment to bringing quality, inexpensive solutions that enhance your first moments of the day. I have always thought that Sony made great devices in this category for a long time – I think that most of the modern world has seen a Sony alarm clock (or Dream Machine) somewhere. Here’s some more information: The ICF-C05iP is extremely lightweight, simple, and reminds me of something I would see in a hotel room or office. I believe the price for this dock will be fairly low which could be great for those out there not wanting to pony up a bunch for this type of device. Aside from its iPod/iPhone dock with charging functionalities, the ICF-C05iP has an alarm like the DS11iP, FM tuner with 20 presets, brightness control and sleep timer. The ICF-DS11iP is a great addition to their similarly styled docks I’ve seen before, and I think its smarter this generation with the enhanced green LCD display. It looks great, and works really anywhere in the house. Dual alarm function works for many people that is flexible by having the option to play music and videos from the iPod or iPhone, AM/FM radio, or buzzer. It would have been nice to add some nature sounds, though. The quality of the speakers are about as what you would imagine from a device like this, but can definitely get loud if necessary with a larger speaker cone and 3.5W + 3.5W power as well as MEGA BASS to color the sound. A remote is included and sleep timer is also an option that will turn your music off and allow you a silent sleep. Related Posts:Sony’s ICF-CD3iP iPod/iPhone Dock, CD, and Alarm ClockSony’s Upcoming ICF-CL75iP Is An Alarm Clock, Digital Frame, And Dock For Your iPod/iPhoneSony Offers Four New iTouch/iPhone DocksSony’s ICF-CL75iP Multi-function Clock Radio for iPod + iPhone Now Available For Pre-OrderSony Adds Another iPhone/iPod Dock, This Time With A Subwoofer and USB View the full article

Sony has opened a new store in Japan, and the reason why its newsworthy is because it appears to be a new retail direction for the company altogether. The “Sony Store Nagoya” (press release, official sonystorenagoya twitter) will open in the Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture on March 13th, and is reminiscent of what Apple and Microsoft are doing these days with their brand specific stores. This is a totally different shopping experience than what they offer at normal SonyStyle stores around the world. In an exclusive press only event, AV Watch was able to check out the new store in Nagoya and the new retail execution strategy is really amazing. Will this ever come to the USA? Let’s take a look at the inside – as you can see the store is visible outside through the glass: Near the main entrance in the first floor is a set of iconic stairs that lead up to level 2: A general overview of the first floor: As you can see each product line is clearly labeled above on a black panel and easily accessible on rows of white stands: Sony also exhibitions that show off how various Sony devices can work together: Here we can see a beautiful red Cybershot with a G-Lens and how you can display the images on a digital photo frame: A VAIO exhibition, even demonstrating the special “Owner Made” models: Some more VAIO items, including special covers for their various laptops: The latest E series VAIO with its removable keyboard skins: Here is the Xperia X10, which is only known in Japan as Xperia, which debuted at Nagoya. Alpha and camera accessories all lined up on one wall for easy access: There is of course 3D demonstrations in the Sony Store, such as this one on the first floor. There are other demonstrations you’ll see later on the second floor. Here is the first tier of assistance desks to help visitors: There is escalator access outside to the second floor of Sony Store Nagoya: The second floor entrance: The window of the second floor entrance: The second floor of Sony Store Nagoya really tries to appear like a home. It also houses further support modules for the store, such as consultative services. Here is another 3D demonstration, this time found on the second floor in a glorified home theater setup: Another line of support areas: Backstage support services were recently launched in Japan – here is the little booth that you can watch the technician in while they work on your Sony device: Sony Store Nagoya will also have three vehicles on hand (pretty rad, eh): Related Posts:Sony Japan And Disney Dress Up The S-Series Walkman With Mickey And MinnieSony BX Series BRAVIA TV Reborn In Japan With Built-In 500GB HDDSony To Launch New Retail Strategy With Sony Store NagoyaSony Shows Off New 3D Capable Home Theater Audio SystemsPictorial/Commentary: Sony Daily Reader PRS900 Unboxing View the full article

Sony Japan and Disney are offering free Mickey & Minnie engraving on the S-Series Walkman starting on March 12th for a limited time. Those of you in Japan who purchase the NW-S740/S740K/S640/S640K can get the engraved image of Mickey and/or Minnie for free. The SonyStyle Japan website will start offering this for free soon, as well as the upcoming Sony Nagoya and SonyStyle Osaka stores will offer the engraving service on the spot. They also will engrave a message (up to fifteen characters) of your choice on the back of the Walkman. Here is what the NW-S740/S740K/S640/S640K look like with the three various engravings: ..of course, there are also two Mouse related accessories that Disney and Sony Japan are going to offer: Let’s start with the CC-DW-CCA clear case that has mouse ears, music notes, and pink hearts on the background. Here is another shot of the plastic case on the S-Series Walkman: Another collector’s item is the Mickey Mouse CC-DW-CST Walkman charging stand that has gold mouse ears, pink music notes and hearts on the base. I guess this solidifies the whole Mouse ears association the device got when it was announced months ago. Related Posts:Pictorial: Sony Store Nagoya Opens Today In JapanSony BX Series BRAVIA TV Reborn In Japan With Built-In 500GB HDDSony Japan Reveals Active Shutter 3D TV Glasses And Emitter PricingSony Shows Off New 3D Capable Home Theater Audio SystemsSony’s LCS-THQ Water Repellent Camera Case View the full article