Christopher

Sony Japan has released their first ever LCD TV with built-in hard disk drive. The piano black monolithic design inspired BRAVIA BX series of LCD TV’s is known in the USA as the BX300 and is available in 32″ and 22″ models. However, the BX series recently debuted in Japan as the BX30H – available in 22″, 26″, and 32″ sizes. And just because Japan is so awesome, these variants also have a whopping 500GB HDD and is also available in white. The cost-effective BX series is rather average with a 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, CCFL backlighting, 720p HD resolution (all you really need at those screen sizes), 60hz, 24p True Cinema,

Sony Japan recently revealed some updates to their all-in-one home theater systems. Some of you may remember the popular HT-CT100, which is Sony’s “home theater in a box” (HTIB), decorated with rich connectivity and overall respectable sound for the price. It has been a while since that model was released and Sony is refreshing the line with the HDMI 1.4 capable HT-CT150 and HT-CT350 (CT350 pictured above). These will both be released in Japan on April 30th, but they are coming to the USA probably in the Summer or Fall. The HT-CT350 will cost Y50,000 ($550USD), while the CT150 will be about ten thousand less. What new features do they bring? One of the biggest additions is 3D support, which allows 3D displays and source devices to communicate through an HDMI link. It’s a major milestone on the path to bringing true 3D gaming and 3D home theater to the mass market, supporting resolutions up to 1080p in 3D. There’s also the addition of ARC, which stands for Audio Return Channel. This basically enables a TV, via a single HDMI cable, to send audio data “upstream” to an A/V receiver or surround audio controller, increasing user flexibility and eliminating the need for any separate S/PDIF audio connection. Format support includes Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic Ⅱ, MPEG-2 AAC, Linear PCM (2ch/5.1ch/7.1ch). The usual S-Force PRO front surround sound technology is back again, as well as a S-Master digital amplifier, Deep Color and x.v. Color modes. Both models are the usual beautiful black, minimalistic monolithic design we have seen elsewhere with Sony’s 2010 home theater lineup. And like last year, both HTIB’s have a soundbar and subwoofer – the HT-CT150 has a fairly average 280W maximum output, while the CT350 hits in at 320W. Last year’s HT-CT100 came in at 250W. There are three HDMI inputs, one HDMI output, two SPDIF’s, and digital coax input. There is also two analog audio inputs, a DMPORT (for Walkman, iPod connectors), and the CT350 has a FM tuner. There is also a new widget you can use on your BRAVIA TV in conjunction with these new home theater systems that allows you to control certain characteristics such as audio output and sound mode. Related Posts:Sony BX Series BRAVIA TV Reborn In Japan With Built-In 500GB HDDEver Heard of Sony’s 3D AV Receiver STR-DN1010?Sony’s HT-FS1 2.1 Home Theater Speaker PackageMore On The Sony HT-CT500 3.1ch Sound Bar/SubwooferPictorial: Sony Store Nagoya Opens Today In Japan View the full article

Sony announced at GDC2010 that the Playstation 3 motion controller is officially called the Playstation Move and will be available this Fall. The new controller, combined with the PlayStation Eye camera, can detect the natural and intuitive movement of the hand and reflect the precise movement within the game, and delivers a whole new entertainment experience on PS3. They also announced a smaller additional device called the Playstation Move sub-controller, which doesn’t have a LED ball and is for more finely tuned movements. This would be more appropriate for FPS games, and Zipper Interactive has promised that SOCOM 4 can be played completely through with the Playstation Move. Every major publisher is going to make compatible games. Sony will sell the Playstation Move controller individually and also include it in a PS3 bundle. Sony will also sell bundles in the Fall for less than $100 that includes the PlayStation Eye camera, PlayStation Move controller, and a game. You will be able to use two Motion Controllers at once. Sony showed off several motion controller demos during GDC 2010 that looked remarkably accurate, in game genres and games such as sports (archery, ping pong, tennis), FPS combat, family, and more. A new game called Move Party was demonstrated that gives players certain challenges they must complete on screen, such as painting a certain area. They also showed off how the motion controller would work with the game LittleBigPlanet, which allows a player to use the DualShock controller and the Playstation Move together. The Playstation Move allowed someone to highlight an object and move or slingshot it to assist the Sackboy in progressing through the level. The Playstation Move features an orb at the end which can glow in any of a full range of colors according to the RGB color model using light-emitting diodes (LEDs). As with the standard PlayStation 3 controllers, the Motion Controller will use Bluetooth 2.0 wireless radio communication, and a rechargeable internal lithium-ion battery. It will feature buttons on the controller, an analog trigger, and vibration-based haptic technology. In addition to providing a tracking reference, the controller’s orb light can be used to simulate aesthetic effects, such as the muzzle flash of a gun, or the paint on a brush. Images courtesy of engadget’s “Live from Sony’s ‘PlayStationMove’ motion controller event” post. Related Posts:Sony Playstation 3 Motion Controller Delayed Until FallKotaku Reveals New PS3 Motion Controller DetailsSony’s Incredibly Accurate PS3 Motion Controller Coming In 2010PS3 Motion Controller set for Spring 2010Sony To Reveal New Playstation 3 Information At GDC2010 Press Conference View the full article

The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the largest annual gathering of professional video game developers, focusing on learning, inspiration, and networking. The event comprises an expo, networking events, awards shows such as the Independent Games Festival and the Game Developers Choice Awards, and a variety of tutorials, lectures, and roundtables by industry professionals on game-related topics covering programming, design, audio, production, business and management, and visual arts. There are several GDC’s held in various locations around the world every year (five in total for 2010), but right now there is one occurring in San Francisco from March 9-13. Sony is due to make reveal some interesting PlayStation information in their annual press conference at this event today around 7PM, specifically regarding the upcoming motion controller. There are already rumors they will be announcing the name of the motion controller as the Playstation Move. You can watch the presentation at 7PM EST/4PM PST on G4TV. If you don’t have that network on your TV, just watch the live stream below: Related Posts:Playstation Home USA Update Includes New Stores, Items, AreasSony Ericsson To Reveal Android XPERIA Phone On November 3rdSony VAIO X Gets a Hot Promo VideoSony VAIO X Series Designer Interview (Video)Phone Arena Shows Off Sony Ericsson’s Satio View the full article

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution will offer high definition (HD) movies for purchase and rental on the PlayStation Network video delivery service in the United States. PlayStation Network is the first to offer high definition movies for purchase from all of the major movie studios, further establishing PlayStation 3 (PS3) as the preeminent home entertainment platform for this year’s most popular and critically acclaimed high definition movies. “Securing high definition content from these studios is another significant milestone further validating PlayStation Network as a complete entertainment network in the home. PlayStation Network is the first and only service to deliver high definition home entertainment from all six major studios, directly to consumers for download,” said Peter Dille, senior vice president, marketing and PlayStation Network, SCEA. “PlayStation Network continues to offer the most comprehensive catalog of HD movies to PlayStation Network members that realize the wide-ranging entertainment power of the PS3 system.” The PS3 system is the most complete home entertainment solution on the market today, enabling consumers to enjoy high-definition games and movies, as well as listen to music, view photos, browse the Internet and more. Today’s announcement joins one of the industry’s strongest home entertainment brands with the major media companies that produce and distribute a substantial number of films. At launch, the content will be available in the U.S. only, with plans to launch soon in the U.K., France, Germany, and Spain. New titles available today on PlayStation Network include: 20th Century Fox – “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian”, “Jennifer’s Body” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (on March 23) Walt Disney Pictures – Disney Pixar’s “Up”, Jerry Bruckheimer’s “G-Force” and Disney’s “Earth” Paramount Pictures – “Star Trek”, “Paranormal Activity” and “Zoolander” Sony Pictures – “This Is It”, “2012″, “District 9″ and “Zombieland” Universal – “Inglourious Basterds”, “Couples Retreat” and “Public Enemies” Warner Bros. Digital Distribution – “The Hangover”, “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” and “The Wizard of Oz” Related Posts:The Evolution Of The Playstation Network – Sony Network Entertainment, Inc.Studios Agressively Marketing Blu-ray This Holiday With Tru Blu CampaignPlaystation Network Comes To AmazonSony Bringing Fee-based Subscription To Playstation NetworkSony Officially Starts Selling Playstation Products In Vietnam View the full article

Experience Hendrix and Sony Music Entertainment’s Legacy Recordings have released the monumental Valleys of Neptune, a newly curated album of 12 fully realized Jimi Hendrix studio recordings. Neptune features more than 60 minutes of music never commercially available on a Jimi Hendrix album, from the artist Rolling Stone magazine called the greatest guitarist of all time. Centered around tracks recorded during a pivotal and turbulent four-month period in 1969, Valleys of Neptune unveils the original Jimi Hendrix Experience’s final studio recordings, as the group lays down the foundation for its follow-up to Electric Ladyland, alongside the guitar superhero’s first sessions with bassist Billy Cox, an old army buddy he’d recruited into his new ensemble. Valleys of Neptune provides an essential, compelling, and up-til-now largely unseen view of what Jimi Hendrix was up to musically in the critical period between the release of Electric Ladyland in October 1968 and the 1970 opening of his own Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village, the state of the art facility where he would begin his final project, the ambitious double album First Rays of the New Rising Sun. Janie Hendrix, CEO of Experience Hendrix LLC, the Hendrix family-owned company entrusted with preserving and protecting the legacy of Jimi Hendrix, noted, “My brother Jimi was at home in the studio. Valleys of Neptune offers deep insight into his mastery of the recording process and demonstrates the fact that he was as unparalleled a recording innovator as he was a guitarist. His brilliance shines through on every one of these precious tracks.” Valleys of Neptune is originality electrified, offering more than 60 minutes of previously unreleased Jimi Hendrix music, originally recorded, and newly mixed for this historic release, by Hendrix’s longtime engineer Eddie Kramer, who first worked with the guitarist on Are You Experienced? in 1967. Valleys of Neptune is produced by Janie Hendrix, John McDermott (who contributes detailed liner notes to the album) and Eddie Kramer. “Valleys of Neptune” has long been one of the most sought after of any commercially unavailable Jimi Hendrix recording. The song was released as a single globally on February 2, 2010, nearly forty years after Jimi finished recording the track at New York’s Record Plant in May of 1970. Other highlights on Valleys of Neptune include blazing studio covers of Elmore James’ classic “Bleeding Heart” and Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” as well as premier performances of original Hendrix compositions like “Ships Passing Through The Night,” “Lullaby For The Summer” and the original un-dubbed Jimi Hendrix Experience rendition of “Hear My Train A Comin’.” Also included in Valleys of Neptune is “Mr. Bad Luck,” a Jimi Hendrix Experience track, produced by Chas Chandler during the 1967 Axis: Bold as Love sessions. Here is the full tracklisting and information for Valleys of Neptune: Stone Free Recorded: Record Plant, New York, April 7, 9, 14, May 17,1969 Producer: Jimi Hendrix Vocal, Guitar: Jimi Hendrix Bass: Billy Cox Drums: Mitch Mitchell Backing Vocals: Roger Chapman, Andy Fairweather Low Valleys Of Neptune Recorded: Record Plant, New York, September 23, 1969, May 15, 1970 Producer: Jimi Hendrix Vocal, Guitar: Jimi Hendrix Drums: Mitch Mitchell Bass: Billy Cox Percussion: Juma Sultan Bleeding Heart Recorded: Record Plant, New York, April 24, 1969 Producer: Jimi Hendrix Vocal, Guitar: Jimi Hendrix Bass: Billy Cox Drums: Rocky Isaac Tambourine: Chris Grimes Maracas: Al Marks Hear My Train A Comin’ Recorded: Record Plant, New York, April 7, 1969 Producer: Jimi Hendrix Vocal, Guitar: Jimi Hendrix Bass: Noel Redding Drums: Mitch Mitchell Mr. Bad Luck Recorded: Olympic Studios, London, May 5, 1967 Producer: Chas Chandler Additional bass and drum recording, Air Studios, London, June 5, 1987 Vocal, Guitar: Jimi Hendrix Bass: Noel Redding Drums: Mitch Mitchell Sunshine Of Your Love Recorded: Olympic Studios, London, February 16, 1969 Producer: Jimi Hendrix Guitar: Jimi Hendrix Bass: Noel Redding Drums: Mitch Mitchell Percussion: Rocki Dzidzornu Lover Man Recorded: Olympic Studios, London, February 16, 1969 Producer: Jimi Hendrix Vocal, Guitar: Jimi Hendrix Bass: Noel Redding Drums: Mitch Mitchell Ships Passing Through The Night Recorded: Record Plant, New York, April 14, 1969 Producer: Jimi Hendrix Guitar, Vocals: Jimi Hendrix Bass: Noel Redding Drums: Mitch Mitchell Fire Recorded: Olympic Studios, London, February 17, 1969 Producer: Jimi Hendrix Vocal, Guitar: Jimi Hendrix Bass, Backing Vocal: Noel Redding Drums: Mitch Mitchell Red House Recorded: Olympic Studios, London, February 17, 1969 Producer: Jimi Hendrix Vocal, Guitar: Jimi Hendrix Bass: Noel Redding Drums: Mitch Mitchell Lullaby For The Summer Recorded: Record Plant, New York, April 7, 1969 Producer: Jimi Hendrix Mixed By Eddie Kramer Guitar: Jimi Hendrix Bass: Noel Redding Drums: Mitch Mitchell Crying Blue Rain Recorded: Olympic Studios, London, February 16, 1969 Producer: Jimi Hendrix Additional bass and drum recording, Air Studios, London, June 5, 1987 Vocal, Guitar: Jimi Hendrix Percussion: Rocki Dzidzornu Bass: Noel Redding Drums: Mitch Mitchell Related Posts:Playstation Network Update – November 13thSony Providing HD Video Cameras For Duke City Shootout FilmmakersSony Music Artists Win Big At 52nd Grammy AwardsMichael Jackson’s “This Is It” Trailer In HDUsher Performs ‘Here I Stand’ Live At Sony’s 2009 CES Keynote View the full article

At long last, we are finally starting to get an official indication from Sony as to how much their active shutter 3D glasses and emitter will cost. Sony’s upcoming 3D capable BRAVIA TV’s for 2010 include the LX900, HX700, HX800, HX900 and NX900 series – however the LX900 is the only model that comes with the glasses (two, specifically) and emitter. Learn more about the Sony 3D TV experience. Available in June, the TDG-BR100 (above) and TDG-BR50 active shutter 3D glasses will be available to purchase in Japan for about Y12,000, which is roughly $133USD. The glasses’ width can be adjusted for those with larger faces or if you wear glasses. I was initially expecting these accessories to cost around $199, but if Sony can keep it around $125 or lower that would far better. Here are the glasses in blue and pink: Sony Japan also detailed how much the 3D infrared emitter (below) would cost that you will need to have for your active shutter 3D glasses – it will be about Y5,000, which is roughly $55USD. The BRAVIA LX900 series already has the emitter built-in. Related Posts:The Final Version of Sony’s Active Shutter 3D GlassesSony Will Use RealD’s 3D Technology In Its Consumer Electronics StrategyMeet The BRAVIA XBR HX Series – Sony’s New LED Backlit LCD HDTVSony’s Total Package HD 3D TV Experience Coming Summer 2010 With The BRAVIA XBR LX SeriesHands On With RealD’s CrystalEyes 4 Active Shutter 3D Glasses, And The Framework For Sony’s 3D Movement View the full article

Final Fantasy XIII? is a console role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix and is the thirteenth installment in the Final Fantasy series. It was released for the PlayStation 3 in Japan on December 17, 2009 and is due for release very soon in North America and PAL regions on March 9, 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Final Fantasy XIII is the flagship title of the Fabula Nova Crystallis collection of Final Fantasy games and is the first game to utilize Square-Enix’s Crystal Tools engine. The game features both futuristic and natural elements; it is set between a land of wilderness and the high-tech world above it. Following the story of Lightning, Square-Enix describes the theme of the game as “those who resist the world.” The game sold in excess of one million units on its first day of sale in Japan, and had sold 1,698,256 copies there at the end of 2009. Universal praise was given to the technical milestone for the series achieved by the game’s graphics and presentation. Electronic Theatre remarked that “there are very few moments when the visual and aural superiority fails to astound”, and Edge Magazine felt that Cocoon in particular was an “inspired setting [...] blessed with a vibrancy and vivid color that often leaves you open-mouthed”. Art design also added to the positive reception of the graphics, being described as “magnificent”. Further praise was given to the CGI cutscenes, and the almost seamless transition of visual quality between these and the realtime gameplay. Many also appreciated the game’s soundtrack, with Masashi Hamauzu providing “a score with catchy hooks and blood-pumping battle melodies” " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> The game’s new battle system also received near-universal praise. The increased pace of battles was appreciated, several reviews describing it as “thrilling”; Edge Magazine’s description of the battle system summarized it as “among the genre’s finest”. The roles provided by the Paradigm Shift feature also added depth to the battle system and contributed to the fast pace, and having the AI automate the other two party members’ actions meant battles in the game “may be the most involving the series has ever seen”. The story, characters and voice acting were mostly received well. Wired remarked that the story was “a little more human and less esoteric than in previous games”. 1UP felt that the story was “hardly world-class writing”, but that the writers clearly knew the medium well and had attempted to avoid clich

Every year International Forum selects a number of manufacturer’s products for design and this year Sony scored 9 awards, out of which I am a proud owner of 3 – Bravia ZX1, Cybershot TX1 and VAIO X. If you never heard of iF, here is a little history about it: Since their introduction in the year 1953, the International Forum (iF) design awards have been a reliable indicator of outstanding quality in design. The iF logo, awarded by international experts, is trusted the world over and denotes proven design quality. 1,016 companies from 39 different nations competed for an iF product design award 2010, submitting a total of 2,486 products for adjudication by an international panel of experts. 778 products merited an iF product design award 2010, with 50 of them also selected to receive an iF gold award. iF Gold Awards BRAVIA ZX1 Series, ‘Ultra-thin LCD television Owing to the extruded aluminum frame, which doubles as both chassis and housing, the ZX1 is the world’s lightest 40V-format LCD TV at 12.2 kg. By thinning the edges to an acute angle (9.9mm at its thinnest point) the designer has created an exquisitely light look suggestive of a piece of paper floating in mid-air. Its wireless functionality provides flexibility when placing the TV in any interior. The product’s minimalist design has been perfected to minute detail: sleek back panel, discretely hidden wires and connectors, and the arm of the stand. This is a truly inspiring design evocative of new lifestyles built around the TV. Cyber-shot DSC-TX1, Digital still camera While maintaining the slimness of previous models, the DSC-TX1 achieves improved image quality and a movie recording function. Continuing the T series’ characteristic aluminum lens cover and stainless steel body, the model now features improved contour tapering on both ends, and a sleek front surface that curves up toward the lens, adding softness and appeal to the previous model’s thin, solid body. Available in five colors, the lens cover features a lustrous finish to beautifully enhance its distinctive smooth curved surface. The gold model in particular offers a metallic polish that shimmers along the curved surface. iF Product Awards X Series VAIO notebook PC P Series VAIO mini notebook PC CMT-DH70SWR / DH50R Micro Audio System BDV-Z7 Blu-ray Disc Home Theatre System HDR-CX520/CX505/CX500 Series

The WSJ is reporting (via engadget) that Sony is working on several new devices in a bold direction for their mobile device line. Apple has dominated mobile products as of late and with the upcoming iPad, Sony must create that “hit” item they’ve been seeking for a while. There were two products mentioned in the article – a Playstation Phone and a tablet based device. Apparently Sony is on target to release a smart phone capable of playing Playstation games. I would imagine that this phone would have Android, 16m color LCD (would be incredible with OLED, but pricey) and 1Ghz processor (at least), as they have used that in other Sony Ericsson devices such as the XPERIA X10. That’s not all, however – apparently a possible tablet device of some sort is in the works. The WSJ specifically refers to another product “as a portable device that shares characteristics of netbooks, electronic-book readers and handheld-game machines.” This leads me to speculate. What will it be based upon? What is the form factor? Tablet? Thin, ten inch screen size, minimalist appearance and metal build? High quality plastic for cost? What about OS – Android? If it’s Windows 7, that would be great. Now when they say it could also play games, what does that mean? To me, it sounds like games off the PSN that run beautifully on the high resolution display? That could be pretty nice. WSJ also reports that Sony will finally reveal to the world later this month about their new online services, which include Qriocity and some other bold initiatives. Why does it feel like things are going to be so different in six months? Related Posts:Sony Tablet? Not a Bad Idea.Three Operating Systems A Charm – Sony Ericsson And AndroidNext SE XPERIA to Run on AndroidSony Quickly Moving Towards Playstation PhoneGoogle Android And The Upcoming Sony Walkman Product Strategy View the full article

The WSJ is reporting (via engadget) that Sony is working on several new devices in a bold direction for their mobile device line. Apple has dominated mobile products as of late and with the upcoming iPad, Sony must create that “hit” item they’ve been seeking for a while. There were two products mentioned in the article – a Playstation Phone and a tablet based device. Apparently Sony is on target to release a smart phone capable of playing Playstation games. I would imagine that this phone would have Android, 16m color LCD (would be incredible with OLED, but pricey) and 1Ghz processor (at least), as they have used that in other Sony Ericsson devices such as the XPERIA X10. That’s not all, however – apparently a possible tablet device of some sort is in the works. The WSJ specifically refers to another product “as a portable device that shares characteristics of netbooks, electronic-book readers and handheld-game machines.” This leads me to speculate. What will it be based upon? What is the form factor? Tablet? Thin, ten inch screen size, minimalist appearance and metal build? High quality plastic for cost? What about OS – Android? If it’s Windows 7, that would be great. Now when they say it could also play games, what does that mean? To me, it sounds like games off the PSN that run beautifully on the high resolution display? That could be pretty nice. WSJ also reports that Sony will finally reveal to the world later this month about their new online services, which include Qriocity and some other bold initiatives. Why does it feel like things are going to be so different in six months? Related Posts:Sony Tablet? Not a Bad Idea.Three Operating Systems A Charm – Sony Ericsson And AndroidNext SE XPERIA to Run on AndroidSony Quickly Moving Towards Playstation PhoneGoogle Android And The Upcoming Sony Walkman Product Strategy View the full article

If you have not yet been confused with VAIO model naming scheme, here is a new one for you – VAIO EC. Just a few weeks ago Sony let out their colorful VAIO EB notebook, another one pops up but with just 2 color options for now, no more rainbow joy there. But a customer can find their joy in the specs: VAIO EB sports a 17.3 incc 16:9 wide, scratch resistant HD LCD display to play your latest Blu-ray flicks; speed through multiple tasks using the might of new Intel

Chloe is an upcoming erotic thriller/drama movie directed by Atom Egoyan, and starring Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Nina Dobrev, and Max Thieriot. The screenplay was written by Erin Cressida Wilson, based on the film, Nathalie…, written by Anne Fontaine. The release of this film in the United States will occur theatrically through Sony Pictures Classics on March 26. Liam Neeson’s wife, Natasha Richardson, had a skiing accident during filming, so Neeson decided to leave the set to take care his wife (and his wife unfortunately died a few days later). The filmmakers changed the script accordingly for Neeson’s absence. But just a few days after his wife’s death, Neeson himself decided to return to the set; he eventually finished his performance in two days. As for the story, when David (Liam Neeson) misses his flight home from New York and, as a result, the surprise party his wife Catherine (Julianne Moore) has planned for him, Catherine is forced to swallow her disappointment and any suspicions and return to the waiting guests. Reading a text message sent to David‘s phone the following morning from one of his female students, Catherine‘s fear grows. When David (Liam Neeson) misses his flight home from New York and, as a result, the surprise party his wife Catherine (Julianne Moore) has planned for him, Catherine is forced to swallow her disappointment and any suspicions and return to the waiting guests. Reading a text message sent to David‘s phone the following morning from one of his female students, Catherine‘s fear grows. The successful couple, Catherine, a doctor, and David a professor of music, have a 17—year—old son, Michael (Max Thieriot), and to an outsider, they have everything. But their careers and raising a child have put strains on the marriage; their relationship is suffering greatly from loss of communication and intimacy. Two weeks after the surprise party, Catherine and David are at dinner with friends when Catherine excuses herself to use the restroom. There she meets an alluring young woman who, in those brief moments, connects with Catherine—it is Chloe (Amanda Seyfried). Returning to the table where they‘re now playing “spot the hooker,” Catherine watches with interest as Chloe approaches an older businessman. On the drive home Catherine finally asks David if he intentionally missed his flight from New York to stay for drinks. When he claims he did not, she knows she has caught him in a lie. Now more suspicious than ever that David is having an affair, Catherine seeks out Chloe, an escort, hiring her to test David‘s fidelity. Meeting regularly, Catherine absorbs the explicit details Chloe shares of her encounters with David, igniting Catherine‘s jealousy and awakening long—dormant sensations. Soon caught in a web of sexual desire, Catherine finds herself on a journey that places her family in great danger – is it too late to stop Chloe? Related Posts:“Dear John” From Author Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook) Coming February 5thWhatever Works, A New Woody Allen Film Distributed By SonyMichael Jackson’s Thriller Costume For The “This Is It” Tour“Grown Ups” Coming Summer 2010 With All Star CastSony Ericsson To Reveal Android XPERIA Phone On November 3rd View the full article

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Remember we reported about new addition to the VAIO family – VAIO M? Well, our good friends from Notebookreview.com were able to uncover some interesting details about it and it looks like it is going to be another netbook from Sony. We are not sure whether it will replace the W netbook series or sit alongside, but my guess is, it will replace the W, judging by how similar VAIO M is looks-wise. Here are some specs for ya to expect: Intel Atom Processor N450 1.66GHz 1GB DDR2 SDRAM 250GB 5400rpm 10.1 1024×600 16:10 LED backlight Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth standard Ver. 2.1+EDR Built-in Camera Not too shabby, but it will be pretty affordable and portable. Like we reported before expect white and black netbooks to show up for pre-orders soon.

Sony Computer Entertainment has acquired leading game developer Media Molecule, which will join as part of SCE’s global development operation, SCE Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS).Media Molecule, based in Surrey, England, is the award-winning developer of LittleBigPlanet, one of the best-selling titles for PS3, a game that introduced gamers to the unique ethos of Play, Create and Share. Having seen over 2m user generated levels created for the community to download and play for free, LittleBigPlanet has completely changed the way people interact with games, whilst revolutionizing the longevity of game play. Having won over 90 awards for , including 2 BAFTAs and 8 AIAS Interactive Achievement Awards, Media Molecule brings a wealth of experience and a highly talented staff into the SCE WWS family that will further strengthen the PlayStation first party studio. “Since they burst onto the gaming scene, Media Molecule have proved to be a truly exciting and innovative studio, who have proved their world-class credentials with the creation of the incredible LittleBigPlanet,” said Shuhei Yoshida, President, SCE Worldwide Studios. “SCE WWS is all about creating ambitious, innovative and ground breaking games, traits that Media Molecule clearly have. To bring them into our family proves our dedication to creating fantastic new experiences that we believe will cement our position as industry leaders.” “Since Media Molecule’s inception, we’ve had a uniquely close relationship with SCE. Over the years they have consistently shown their dedication to Creative Gaming and Media Molecule, not only through their support of the company, but their willingness to take risks and embrace our often unusual approach and ideas,” said Alex Evans, co-founder of Media Molecule. “What we’ve achieved already with LittleBigPlanet has proved this to us and we’re excited by this new chapter of innovation and creative gaming, for all involved.” Studios across SCE WWS share technology, production methodology and creative goals to build the best possible experiences for users to enjoy the most from the PlayStation family of hardware platforms and network services. With over 2,500 employees, SCE WWS combines the talents of 15 game development studios in Japan, the USA, the UK and The Netherlands. Related Posts:Meet Alex Evans, Creator of LittleBigPlanetLittleBigPlanet Trickling To Retailers; Servers Now LiveUncharted 2: Among Thieves Wins Big At 13th Annual Interactive Achievement AwardsSingstar Genius Paulina Bozek Leaves Sony For AtariIGN Interviews Shuhei Yoshida View the full article

As 3D technology and content continue to change the way consumers experience their entertainment, Sony Electronics and CBS today unveiled “The Sony 3D Experience.” This research center and screening facility will focus on consumer preferences and perceptions toward 3D programming, as well as how broadcasters and studios can best deliver 3D content for viewing both in and out of the home. The Sony 3D Experience will be located within the expanded CBS Television City research facility at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The new center is also being supported by RealD, which is providing its advanced 3D filters and eyewear to help complete the 3D experience. “Just as Sony and CBS led the way to establishing some of the most compelling HD programming for consumers, the time is right for a dedicated resource devoted to studying 3D in all its forms,” said Mike Fasulo, Sony Electronics’ executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “3D is a reality, as shown by the success of 3D movies and alternative programming like live events and sports, and we expect more 3D content and delivery options to emerge.” The facility is divided into two primary zones: 3D theatrical entertainment; which will preview and promote the latest 3D motion picture releases; and 3D home entertainment, which will highlight and demonstrate the newest trends for 3D in the home, including 3D compatible HDTVs, PlayStation3 systems and upcoming Blu-ray 3D players and titles. Additionally, consumers will be able to learn about the latest 3D developments, such as the upcoming launch of the ESPN 3D Network and the new 3D channel resulting from a joint venture among Discovery Communications, IMAX and Sony. “This new extension of our research facility in Las Vegas was designed to provide visitors with hands-on access to the most cutting-edge home entertainment technology available and while doing so, offer content and technology providers continuous user-feedback and research,” said David Poltrack, Chief Research Officer and President of CBS Vision. “We are pleased that a company as distinguished as Sony has stepped up to be the first player not only because the company has long been a leading innovator but also because it is focusing on the most exciting and talked-about new technology which is 3D.” CBS Television City at MGM Grand is a well-established research facility that incorporates traditional qualitative and quantitative methods like focus groups and surveys, as well as advanced bio-metric techniques such as eye tracking and brain scanning using NeuroFocus technology, in a transparent research environment. The facility provides singular, organic access to more than 1.1 million visitors annually, representing a geographic, demographic and psychographic cross-section of the US consumer population. As a result, highly specific consumer samples can be easily recruited from a visitor population that has historically been highly inclined to participate in media, entertainment and advertising research efforts. The Sony 3D Experience is one of several recent Sony initiatives in the 3D arena. The company also just unveiled its new 3D Technology Center on the Sony Pictures Entertainment lot in Culver City, Calif., which will offer industry professionals the opportunity to learn more about the techniques and equipment for 3D production and content creation. Related Posts:Sony, Discovery And IMAX To Create 24/7 3D TV NetworkSony To Deliver 2009 BCS In Gorgeous 3DSony 3D Technology Center Opens At Sony Pictures StudiosSony Wonder Technology Lab In NYC Gets Multi-Million Dollar FaceliftBuy a Sony Blu-Ray Player, Get a Blu-Ray Discovery Sampler Disc View the full article

After being announced at CES 2010, the bloggie camcorder/camera has been relatively successful for Sony but there are still many out there who don’t know about it yet. It’s basically the second generation Webbie, but with a new name and some new features. We think the bloggie is pretty great for the price and most certainly outperforms the Flip MinoHD in several aspects. There are two bloggie models, the MHS-CM5 and the MHS-PM5, and both offer 1920×1080i (at 30fps) and 1280×720p (at 60fps) HD video recording, which are modes not found in the Flip MinoHD nor the UltraHD. Both models have a super quick startup time and built-in USB sticks that extend and allow you to connect it to a standard USB port. It is important to clarify that the PM5 has a 4x digital zoom, while the CM5 has a 5x optical zoom and 20x digital zoom. Furthermore, each model has the ability to take 5 megapixel photos, which is something most competitors don’t have either. We were also impressed with the large 2.4 inch LCD, removable battery and great storage card flexibility (Memory Stick Duo and SD – so awesome). Here is our video hands-on: " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> The bloggie can also shoot video in nearly every shade of MP4 (H.264) possible, including additional 720p at 30fps, and SD at 480p at 30fps as well as the other modes listed above. The five megapixel CMOS sensor is about average in performance, but suffers in low light conditions and has seemingly slow exposure correction. We noticed that the MiniHD is much quicker at correcting exposure in frame by frame analysis and focus to light situations. The addition of SteadyShot image stabilization is nice, but is limited to certain modes (it doesn’t work on 1080p and 720p at 60 fps). Another thoughtful feature of the bloggie that is seldom discussed is the embedded Picture Motion Browser Portable software that can automatically load whenever you connect the bloggie to a computer via USB. This small and handy software allows you to instantly upload your creations to popular websites such as YouTube, Photobucket, Twitter, Facebook, Picasa, etc. However, we were pretty disappointed that 64-bit Windows isn’t supported by this software. There’s no question this is the best sub-$200 camcorder on the market – the quality is exceptional for the price. The bloggie’s auto focus is quick, colors are rich and accurate, and the built-in mono mic is actually decent. Face detection is solid, and the 5X optical zoom on the PM5 is a great touch and quite smooth. The build quality felt like it could last a while, very solid, not metal solid, but solid for its plastic construction. Battery life is a little low in our experiences. The bloggie has no hardware lens open/close, and you must use a lens cap which is probably something I would lose over time. There is no manual focus, either. The view screen is a little hard to see unless it’s angled right at you. I found it okay to hold until I wanted to use my thumb to press a button. There is just no way to hold this camera with one hand and operate the zoom or the record button without a lot of shaking going on. This is just a poor design, especially for the zoom. If you want a stable shot while zooming, you’ll need to put two hands on the camera. The same can be said when you want to snap a picture. If you want to video your kids’ sporting events, it better be a bright day or a bright gym. The low-light performance of this camera is terrible. I really hope the next version of this device has a Exmor R type lens that performs exceptionally well in those situations. You can see aliasing artifacts when recording in 720p that are not present in 1080p mode. This seems to be because Sony is digitally scaling the video in the camera at something other than a multiple of the pixel size. Another gripe is that charging the camera depends on USB, and Sony doesn’t include a USB to Wall/AC adapter. You have to connect it to your computer and leave it on, which is a little eco-unfriendly. One other thing I wanted to discuss was the 360 degree attachment that you get if you purchase the MHS-PM5K. The 360 attachment is actually called the VCL-BPP1. It’s a brand new accessory that Sony has never done before but I think it is pretty cool in theory, but there are several limitations that make it somewhat lackluster. As soon as you plug it into the bloggie, the resolution automatically switches to 720P at 30 fps; it doesn’t support 1080p nor the 720p at 60fps. It records 720p at 30 fps 360 degree doughnut movies (click on the videos with the circle thumbnail), and within the built-in software you can warp the doughnut movie to that is rather odd looking. Unfortunately, when you look at the 360 degree videos the reflections from the lens housing are a bit distracting. It’s seemingly zooming to fill the frame with the mirror, but because the zoom is digital you end up with these aliasing artifacts. The unwarping software then compounds the problem by using a poor sampling method against the aliased video. If the camera could be convinced not to do this digital zoom thing the artifacts might go away and the picture could be usable. Cutting away the clear plastic cover from around the 360 lens greatly improves the image quality and removes the bad reflection problem. This does cause another problem though, stray light inters the lens without the flat black top on the clear plastic cover to block it. Shooting with the lens pointing down seem to take care of the stray light problem and the view is actually better this way. The clear lens cover was removed in this 360 degree video of Camels and a Zebra I found at India VR Tours. You can also see how the image is cropped at this setting, and how dramatically better it looks than the norm. Related Posts:Sony Re-Embraces Social Media Aficionados With Bloggie Camera/CamcorderSony Ericsson Reveals Vivaz Cell Phone With 720P HD Video RecordingSony Ericsson Vivaz Plus Keyboard Equals Vivaz ProSony Updates Cyber-shot W-Series Compact Point & Shoot Digital Camera LineSony Adds Another To H Line Of Cyber-Shot High Zoom Cameras With DSC-H55 View the full article

The Playstation Network is encountering an unplanned outage that is affecting certain PS3 owners around the world. Those trying to sign in encounter the error code 8001050F, and are unable to sign in, play games, use dynamic themes, view/sync trophies, and so forth. The strange part is the problem only resides within the 1st through 3rd generation glossy PS3 units while the PS3 Slim is completely unaffected. I turned on my 3rd generation 40GB PS3 and noticed that my time was reset to 12/31/1999 and I was unable to sign in to the PSN. Sony has confirmed there is an issue, and as of publish they have essentially stated that “We’re narrowing down the issue and continue to work to restore service to all.” The going theory is that the PS3 is storing some form of date in GMT, then modifying that to get whatever you see in the on-screen clock. That modification process seems to be fine; the system can take 2/28/2010, 9PM GMT, add four hours, and get 3/1/2010, 1AM random time zone. What’s apparently wrong, as speculation goes, is when the internal GMT-tracking rolls over to 3/1. It’s either not rolling, or rolling to 2/29, at which point a system tries to add/subtract from 2/29, which it can’t do because the front-end calendar doesn’t have a 2/29/2010. Everything started to collapse around 4PM PDT, which I think is 12AM GMT. And the PS3 launched in 2006; it’s hit four 2/28s so far. 2007 and 2009 were odd-numbered years; 2008 was an even, and a leap year. 2010 is the first even non-leap-year the system’s been around for. If some sort of base-level math is choking on itself, it may have ruled out the odd 2007 and 2009 successfully, but is convinced the even 2010 is a leap year (this part I’m less sure of, but is why leap year could theoretically come into play at some point). Fortunately for most of you experiencing this issue, the save data, games, DLC, themes are okay. There are reports that some have lost data, but I haven’t seen anything consistent. It’s not clear if unsynced trophies will be saved. Related Posts:New Sony VAIO F Series Encountering Buzzing Or High Pitched Whine Issue?No Worries – The Sony VAIO F Laptop Is Okay And Back On SaleSony’s Playstation Brand Turns 15Sony PlayStation Sales Finish Strongly In 2009, But Crippling $1.3 Billion Drop In Revenues RemainFirmware 3.0 For Playstation 3 Confirmed View the full article

Sony announced it will be moving any DVD production efforts occurring at its DADC Pitman plant to Terre Haute, Indiana, where a majority of DVD manufacturing is taking place already. The move means 160 of the plant’s 570 employees will be losing their jobs, though the plant will remain open in other manufacturing capacities, continuing to produce CDs and video games. Sony can produce up to 15 million DVDs and 18 million CDs per month at the facility. The plant’s last DVD rolled off the line Thursday. Profits from disc-based operations have been steadily declining for most major CE manufacturers in the wake of on-demand methods, downloadable content and other instant services. The Pitman facility will still continue to manufacture Music CD’s and Playstation game discs. Lisa Gephardt, Sony’s Senior Director of Communications, said the decision was made to “take advantage of operating efficiency and lower costs.” “We have very little manufacturing in Gloucester County and to lose even more jobs is devastating,” said Michael Batten, mayor of Pitman. “I think about single parents, people who need to put food on the table, and I wonder where they will turn next.” In a written statement released by Sony, “economic hardships and the current competitive landscape,” made the move a necessity. Related Posts:Sony DADC To Expand Indiana Blu-Ray FacilitySony DADC Celebrates 25 Years In Terre Haute, IndianaWith Television Plant At Death’s Door, Sony Hosts Job FairSony Closing Dothan, Alabama Operations After 33 YearsSony Opens Lithium-ion Battery Plant in Singapore View the full article

In another unfortunate turn of economic events for Alabama, Sony announced last week that they are closing down their Dothan-based Sony Magnetic Products, Inc. after 33 years of being in business. Established in 1977, the facility manufactures Sony’s professional, consumer and data storage magnetic tapes, print media products, as well as coating material for optical disks. The closure wasn’t really a surprise to the 320 full time employees working there. Workers have been flexible with their schedules in recent times to keep the plant viable. The company runs some departments 24 hour a day, but operations had declined from seven days a week to four or five over the last several years. Operations will be phased out starting in April 2010, with the closure planned to be completed by September 2010. Spokesperson Elizabeth Boukis, Public Relations Manager for Sony USA, said “this strategic business decision is designed to strengthen Sony’s cost-competitiveness by consolidating production.” Boukis said employees will receive severance and other benefits as the operation of the plant ceases. In regards to job transfers, she said all employees who have been given notice “are encouraged to find out about job openings within Sony Electronics and at other Sony companies by reviewing current internal and external job openings.” I found a great historical perspective of the plant, courtesy of the Dothan Eagle, which describes how the Mayor (Grant) of Dothan, Alabama at the time convinced Sony to put the plant in his state instead of Florida: Grant was instrumental in getting the electronics giant to re-evaluate its decision to open a plant in Florida, after reading about Sony’s plans in the newspaper. “We found out they were looking to locate in Tallahassee, but they were having trouble with the property rezoning in their location,” Grant said. “We called Sony and they said they were not interested in going anywhere but Tallahassee. We begged them to come up here.” Grant said Sony officials did come and he took his personal motor home and loaded it up with city officials representing utilities, engineering, fire, police – virtually every city department – to answer any questions Sony representatives had. But none of the properties officials showed was acceptable to Sony, Grant said. “I realize we needed something stronger. I called Governor Wallace and asked him to call the president of Sony in Japan and ask him to locate in Dothan. We knew they were having a hard time in Tallahassee.” George Wallace made that call, at 3 a.m. local time. Sony officials from Japan came in the spring of the year in 1974 or 1975. “They flew in here and we picked them up in the motor home. We couldn’t speak Japanese and they couldn’t speak English. As we rode down the road, the president asked me through an interpreter what people do after work, on weekends and for vacations. I answered him what I thought people did, and then he asked to go to a golf course.” The motor home turned from Montgomery Highway down Cherokee to the Dothan Country Club. “We walked over to the ninth green and he saw all the azaleas and dogwoods in bloom and he said, ‘We come to Dothan.’ We went back to the motor home, took him back to the airport and he went to Naples to play golf.” Sony officials wanted the plant located “in a nice neighborhood” with lots of trees, so they built the plant adjacent to Chapelwood. The plant opened at its current location on West Main Street in 1977 with an anticipated 1,200 employees, but by the time it was set to open, Jimmy Grant, who was mayor at the time, said Sony had already expanded and had 2,000 employees on the payroll. The plant has had multi-million dollar expansions twice in the past 11 years. In 1999, Sony completed a $34 million expansion, involving a new metal evaporation process for producing computer date storage products. In 2003, the Dothan plant invested $8.8 million and planned to add about 80 jobs over a three-year period as part of company requirements to produce two new products – a data storage LTO (linear tape open) and a digital video cassette media. The workforce has declined steadily since the ‘90s and the company has reconfigured itself as consumer interest has driven market changes. According to an official statement, the Dothan plant currently manufactures professional, consumer and data storage magnetic tapes, print media products, as well as coating material for optical disks. The Dothan plant just started its print media component in January, as a 30-day trial. Related Posts:Sony Adding 1,500 Jobs To TijuanaSony Opens Lithium-ion Battery Plant in SingaporeSony Sheds 160 DVD Manufacturing Jobs In Pitman, New JerseySony DADC Celebrates 25 Years In Terre Haute, IndianaSony And Samsung In Talks To Build New Production Line View the full article

Sony is finally turning around in the US LCD TV market after falling behind throughout most of 2009, according to iSuppli. In the fourth quarter of last year, Sony was the best performer with a 13.2% market share, a dramatic rise from 7.7% a quarter earlier. As we all know, price erosion in the LCD market has been rampant and Sony responded with great promotions and pricing schemes. As you may recall from the recent Executive Roundtable, Sony stated that in collaboration with Best Buy, they sold 12,000 BRAVIA TV bundles that included a PS3, one game and a Blu-ray movie late last year. It was the best bundle deal Best Buy has ever done and that Sony has ever done. Sony also mentioned one day record sales with another bundle during Fall of last year, where they sold a BRAVIA TV and a PS3 at SonyStyle for a great price, which helped Sony move three times more TV’s than the prior year. Despite these initiatives and growth from the previous quarters, Sony ranked in third place based on sell-in numbers throughout 2009. Vizio was the leading LCD TV brand in the US in 2009 – their shipments nearly doubled throughout the year at 5.9 million units, up 92.1% from 3.1 million in 2008. They were third place in overall sales ranking in 2008, and is Sony’s strongest competitor in the USA. During the US recession, Vizio has established itself as a price leader in the market for LCD TVs, and continues to offer attractive promotions that hurt the higher priced premium brands. Another strength for Vizio is the fact that they are incorporating premium features in their products, such as LED backlighting, high framerate (120hz, 240hz, etc) technology, and Internet connectivity. When a consumer compares specifications between a Vizio and a Sony, and sees that the lower-priced Vizio has many of the same features, suddenly the word “premium” becomes a blur. Vizio also is preparing a very strong line-up of affordable 3D TVs that will most certainly disrupt pricing strategies for Sony and other premium brands later this year. Samsung was the overall US flat-panel leader in 2009, which is a segment that includes LCD’s and Plasma sets. Samsung’s overall shipments were 6.6 million units in 2009, which is a 22.6% increase from the 5.4 million units in 2008. This contributed to a steady 18.4% market share, virtually unchanged from the year prior. We must note that iSuppli bases their information on sell-in information, which is not point of sale information. Technically, “sell-in” isn’t even shipped. It’s any TV that Sony has taken an order for, including the ones still sitting in their own warehouse. The only source of POS information is the NPD, but Walmart, Costco and other major retailers do not report to them so their numbers are skewed as well. Related Posts:Vizio Passes Sony In LCD TV Sales During 4QVizio Is #1 In North American LCD TV MarketSony Finally Posts A Quarterly Profit In Q3 FY09 ResultsVizio and Sony Settle Patent Issues, Grant Licences To One AnotherSony Latin America Aims For 1 Million VAIO sales by 2010 View the full article

The recently released Heavy Rain, a PS3 exclusive, is a video game developed by Quantic Dream that has been in development since 2006. Director David Cage has stated that Heavy Rain would be “a very dark film noir thriller with mature themes”, without any supernatural elements, and that “the real message (of the game) is about how far you’re willing to go to save someone you love.” Back in 2008, David Cage gave a further explanation of his goals for the game by stating, “Heavy Rain is about normal people who have landed in extraordinary situations. I wanted a much more personal story. The first thing that came to my mind, as a father of two little boys, was that the main theme should simply be a father’s love for his son. This is not a game about saving the princess or the world. Its [sic] purely about a father’s love. The main story will revolve around four different characters, and we’re putting the spotlight on their perceptions. The question ‘what is good and what is evil’ is the key here, that will be just a matter of viewpoint…I believe heavily in moral choices, I’m going to use them A LOT. They’re not about being good or bad, but about finding the right balance.” " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> What really separates the game from everything else out there is the unique control style and incredible realism found in each character. Heavy Rain uses a unique control scheme. A trigger button on the PlayStation 3 controller will move the character forward. It will take advantage of the button’s analogue function, allowing the user to control the speed of the character’s movement by pressing harder or softer on the button. The left analogue stick will control the movement of the character’s head and the direction the character moves in relation to where the character is looking. David Cage explains that this frees the movement of the character from the perspective of the camera. The rest of the game is played using a series of context sensitive actions such as picking up a bottle in a grocery store and hitting a robber on the head with it or pressing the “X” button to call the player character’s son, Jason, and quick time events, normally for chase and combat sequences. Players are able to bring up a selection of their character’s current thoughts by holding the L2 button and pressing corresponding buttons to say or do what they’re thinking. These thoughts will sometimes blur, and selecting them at the wrong time will affect the character’s reaction, causing them to say or do something in the wrong way. Action sequences, such as when the player is being attacked, will be played out as quick time events. Players will be presented with various symbols, requiring them to either press buttons, move the right analogue stick in a certain way, or shake or tilt the controller. Failure to execute these commands take the story along a different path, and certain mistakes will lead to a character’s death. For example, in one scene, Norman Jayden is interrogating a suspect named Mad Jack when he starts to suffer from withdrawal symptoms and button prompts will show up. If he fails to take his drugs, he will be taken to a scenario in which he will have to escape from a car before it is thrown into a crusher, killing him. In scenes like these, a ‘timer’ scene (a portion of the screen that is devoted to show the player how long he or she has until their time runs out, or another event is scripted to occur, which is shown through several different camera angles) is shown at the bottom of the screen, indicating how long the player has to escape from his predicament. If a character dies, the game does not end, and play control switches to another character, with the events of the previous character’s death affecting the story. In the event that all four characters die, there is a proper conclusion to the story and the game ends. There are four playable characters. Ethan Mars: Played by French actor Pascal Langdale. Mars is a young architect living on the east coast of America. In 2008, he lost his eldest son in a car accident that left him in a coma. Once a successful and happy family man, Ethan is now grief-stricken and depressed two years later, separated from his wife and distant from his other son, Shaun. Still suffering from the after-effects of the accident, Ethan is thrown into a nightmare when he discovers that Shaun may become the next victim of the Origami Killer. He will be forced to confront just how far he is prepared to go to rescue his son, and in doing so, he may be able to finally find redemption from the guilt and grief he feels. Madison Paige: Played by model Jacqui Ainsley. A twenty-seven-year-old photographer living alone in the city. Suffering from crippling insomnia and nightmares, she often finds herself checking into local motels for the night – seemingly the only place she can rest and relax. Though she has no apparent connection with the Origami Killer case, she will soon find herself unexpectedly drawn into the investigation. When she does, she will show courage and commitment, placing herself in great danger to find out the truth. Norman Jayden: Portrayed by British actor Leon Ockenden. Jayden is a dedicated and thorough FBI profiler sent into this unfamiliar city to support the police force with their investigation into the Origami Killer. Jayden specializes in utilizing an experimental device called ARI, short for ?Added Reality Interface,? which allows him to investigate crime scenes and analyze evidence in a unique way. With the local cops resentful of both of his methods and his very presence, he struggles urgently to piece together the evidence before it is too late and another victim is discovered. Scott Shelby: Played by actor Sam Douglas. A forty-five-year-old cop-turned-private investigator after twenty years with the local police department. Two decades on the streets have left him tough and cynical, but despite his sometimes hard demeanor, he has a sense of honor and compassion that shines through under pressure. Shelby has been hired by the families of previous victims of the Origami Killer and is now conducting a parallel investigation into the case, searching for clues and leads that the authorities may have missed. Early reviews of Heavy Rain have been very positive, and has received very high marks in nearly every major publication and blogs out there. The UK Official PlayStation Magazine scored the game 9 out of 10, with reviewers saying, “I’m convinced it’s one of the freshest, most exciting, and even important games on PS3 so far.” The magazine praised the effective controls of the game, as well as the pacing of the story, which the reviewer described as key, and perfectly designed to create an “exhausting, exhilarating, and, crucially, involving” experience. He concluded by saying that, “Certainly there’s nothing quite like it on PS3, or indeed any other system. Put gaming conventions aside, go in with no expectations other than this is something new and massively good-looking, and you’ll be rewarded with a unique experience that lurches between genius and madness, manages to be genuinely emotional, and that you’ll be bursting to talk about with your friends.” Eurogamer France also gave the game a score of 9 out of 10, saying, “The game of Quantic Dream has touched me, unquestionably, as a player because it symbolizes today the culmination of a genre halfway between cinema and video game that has always seemed interesting in its intentions but rarely conclusive.” The reviewer concludes by saying, “A high score, therefore, to welcome risk-taking that represents this type of production today.” British magazine GamesMaster gave the game a score of 91%, complimenting Heavy Rain for being ‘incredibly original and compelling.’ It adds, “The atmosphere is incredible – full of driving rain (which becomes central to the plot), fizzing neon lights, dank apartments and warehouses. It’s a dark noir game, not a bright adventure.” The title was also given a GamesMaster Gold Award. IGN’s Chris Roper scored the game 9.0/10 commenting specifically on the game’s “fantastic story that’s one of the best in gaming.” However, he pointed out that the game’s beginning is very slow, and might turn off some players. Check out

Many news outlets and bloggers have written about two new PS3 models that have recently shown up on the FCC – the CECH-2101A and CECH-2101B. The new models were filed under the alias “Sand Dollar Enterprise,” which is a name Sony used last Fall to slip the PS3 Slim past eagle-eyed enthusiasts who regularly scour the FCC. When new entries appear under the fake name it’s very natural for people to report on this and start speculating. However, after looking at some of the FCC documents, we’re not really sure how much of a change these two new models will be. In the Class II permissive change letter, Sony asks for the FCC to refer to the Theory of Operation for what exactly changed. This document is obviously confidential and unable to view, but they do mention that the changes do not affect the RF characteristics. This is quite confusing, because a Class II permissive change is usually one of three things: When the antenna gain of the new antenna of the same type as the originally approved antenna is greater than the antenna gain of the originally tested antenna When the emission levels or reported RF safety levels of the same antenna type increases If the antenna is a different type, has a lower gain than the originally approved antenna and tests show that the spurious emission levels or reported RF safety levels have increased What we do know is that there is no addition of 801.11n Wi-Fi. There are many theories out there, some of which I found interesting, such as backwards compatibility, USB 3.0, HDMI 1.4, 45nm GPU, and so forth. However, I have the feeling it may just be a lower-cost PS3 Slim. I guess we’ll see! Related Posts:PS3 Slim Has A Few More Surprises: 45nm Cell Microprocessor, 250GB Version On The WayBERTI + AIBO, A Robot Match Made In HeavenNew Tiny Sony Laptop Appears On FCCSony’s PSP Go True Processor Speed RevealedSony’s HID-C10 Wi-Fi Enabled Television Accessory “Home Information Device” Hits The FCC View the full article

Aside from the new ultra-compact concept cameras with APS-C sensors, Sony also showed off several “alpha” DSLR bodies with new features. These prototype cameras have the new Exmor APS HD MOS sensor, which is a general APS-C sized sensor (24mm x 16mm) that is larger than the usual Micro Four Thirds system. It also will have the ability to take 1080P AVCHD video. Sony representatives were mentioning that one of the models (presumably on the left) would be the successor to the A700. Could this be the A750 we’ve heard murmurs about in the past from the usual rumor mills? It’s hard to tell, but we do know that you should see a a DSLR with these capabilities sometime soon. We were surprised to see another model to the right of the A700 successor (enlarged above), which looks like a more budget-friendly version without several features such as a LCD panel on the top of the camera. Could this be a sub-$750 DSLR with AVCHD capabilities? Hard to tell, but it wouldn’t surprise us. Here are some pictures courtesy of Digital Camera Review of the two new DSLR’s: Related Posts:PMA 2010: Sony Shows Off Ultra-Compact APS-C Camera ConceptSony Fits Transfer Jet, 1080/60i HD Video Recording Into Ultra-Slim DSC-TX7 Point & ShootSony Introduces Waterproof, Freeze-proof, Dust-proof DSC-TX5 CameraSony’s Alpha A450 DSLR Will Probably Be A European-Only ReleaseSony’s Unannounced iPod/iPhone, DVD, USB, SD/MS Card Video Shelf System WHG-SLK1 View the full article