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| Sony Brings Next-Gen Experience to U.S. with PlayStation 3 by Gordon Langley  Sony at last has brought its PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system to North America. In addition to the PlayStation 3 hardware, a software line up of more than 20 first- and third-party titles will be available soon at retailers nationwide. PlayStation 3 is available at the moment in two configurations. One features a 20-GB hard disk drive and carries a suggested retail price of $499, while the second features a 60-GB HDD and built in Wi-Fi adapter and multiple memory card slots for $599. At the heart of PlayStation 3 is the Cell Broadband Engine, that enables massive floating point calculation, and Blu-ray Disc drive, providing a true High Definition (1080p) next-generation gaming and movie experience in the home, as well as up to 50 GB of data capacity for video game developers to store content – five times the capacity of DVD.Additionally, the PlayStation 3 system's new SIXAXIS wireless controller allows gamers to physically turn, twist, and bank their controllers to command the on-screen action. Every PlayStation 3 also comes equipped with an HDMI output for the best connection possible to high-definition displays, supporting Full-HD resolution up to 1080p for both games and movies. Built-in network capability means that all PlayStation 3 owners can enjoy online game play and services, such as Web browsing through the PlayStation Network and downloadable content through the PlayStation Store, immediately. Additionally, the first half million PlayStation 3 systems shipped in North America will include one of this summer's biggest blockbuster hits from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, "Talladega Nights : The Ballad of Ricky Bobby", starring Will Ferrell, on high-definition BD format. Sales of PlayStation 3 began in the early morning on November 17 across the country, with consumers waiting in line to be the first to purchase the system. At the Sony Style retail outlet in New York City and the PlayStation store in San Francisco, thousands of fans lined the streets on November 16 waiting to be among the first owners of PlayStation 3 as it went on sale at midnight. Celebrity appearances by Grammy Award-winner Ludacris and Chapelle Show's Charlie Murphy entertained the New York crowds, while musical act Angels and Airwaves rocked throughout the night in San Francisco. Beyond the standard PlayStation 3 system package, PlayStation 3 peripherals in North America will include additional SIXAXIS wireless controllers, a Memory Card Adaptor for transferring game save information from PlayStation and PlayStation 2 Memory Cards onto the HDD of PlayStation 3, and, coming soon, a BD remote control. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Computing News :: home page |