Sony PlayStation3

It’s what the world (the video gamers world, that is) has been waiting for: a release date for Sony’s PlayStation3. The PS3 will be released in North America and Europe on November 17th, 2006, and released November 11th, 2006 in Japan. PS3 will run on combined Cell and RSX processors and comes pre-loaded with giga-bit Ethernet and a hard disc drive, allowing users to access, play, and download online games and services.

The PS3 is also compatible with the new Blu-ray technology, playing Blu-ray discs at a bit rate of multiplex 48Mbps—which is the highest of Blu-ray standards. This is perfect for users who want to watch High-Definition movies at home.

The PlayStation3 controller is spectacular in and of itself: it is a motion-sensing controller, which allows users to move onscreen characters up, down, left, right, and side-to-side with its six-axis sensing system, eliminating the need to use buttons to move characters.

In addition, the PlayStation3 uses basic input and output ports, meaning that the PS3 is compatible with virtually every single TV, from the traditional models, to the new flat-screen, widescreen, and HDTVs. The PS3, despite its slightly larger size, has the same (very low) noise level as the current slim-design PlayStation2. Heat reduction was also a priority in creating the PS3.

The 20GB (hard drive) PlayStation3 will sell for a retail price of $499. The 60GB PlayStation3 will be priced at $599.

http://www.us.playstation.com