Sony Release PS3 2.41 Firmware.

When Sony released PS3 firmware update v2.40 last week, they ended up taking it down again because the XMB wouldn’t display after the update was installed on a few boxes. Sony have fixed the issue and released the 2.41 update today.

Sony's 2.4 Firmware Bricking PS3's

Sony have pulled their newest firmware update due to reports of it bricking a number of PS3's. No news on when this will be fixed or updated. Sony indicated "As has been reported on many gaming blogs and websites, we have temporarily taken Firmware v2.40 offline. We've received a limited number of calls from consumers experiencing an issue with installing the system software update on their PS3. ... We are working diligently to isolate the problem for those few consumers and to identify a solution before we put the firmware back up."

Sony Reveals Upcoming First Line Titles for PS3 and PSP

Sony has revealed the list of titles they have planned for the PS3 and PSP for this year and early 2009. I've excerpt the list from their press release below. SCEA's first party line up for PS3 includes the original and imaginative LittleBigPlanet from Media Molecule, along with heavy hitting sequels to some of SCEA's most popular franchises including Resistance 2 from Insomniac Games, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation from Slant Six Games, and the officially titled MotorStorm(TM) Pacific Rift from Evolution Studios. Available in February 2009 will be Killzone 2, the highly anticipated first-person shooter from Guerrilla Games. Through the PLAYSTATION Network, PS3 owners will see an assortment of unique and original titles such as Elefunk(TM), Pixel Junk(TM) Eden, and wipEout(R) HD. For PSP, franchise favorites such as Secret Agent Clank(TM) and Hot Shots Golf(R): Open Tee 2 will make their return to the portable screen. With a line up like that it looks like it's going to be an exciting line-up. I for one cant wait for Killzone 2.

Sony Alpha A900 Slated For Fall Release.

Sony are showing their new 25 megapixel Alpha A900 at Photo Imaging Expo 2008 in Japan. The new camera is not slated for released until this Autumn but folks are already speculating on how Canon and Nikon will respond. Myself, I'm interested only in finding out more on the cameras performance which includes features like a full frame sensor, Liveview and a HDMI port. Visit the MasterChong blog where there is some excellent coverage and photos.

Death Of HD-DVD?

Many tech sites are reporting/speculating on the expected death of HD-DVD .. with recent developments such as many retailers opting for Blu-ray and content suppliers throwing their weight behind the format from Sony, it seems inevitable that Toshiba should throw in the towel. However I'm not so sure it will be an easy decision for them with millions invested in the format. I'm sure of one thing, before the dust settles, both camps are going to be sorry that they didn't listen to the lessons that could have been learned from past format wars.

Mobile World Congress Underway In Barcelona

The mobile tech junkies show of the year has been one of many surprises and cool new gadgets for lovers of mobile communication and entertainment devices. One of this biggest has been the unveiling of Sonys new The XPERIA X1 mobile internet device which looks really cool and features a cool user interface with some very interesting interactivity. Also cool is the new Mobile TV ready Nokia N96. The N96 sports a large 2.8in display and features a stand, so that you can enjoy hands-free viewing of your videos and TV shows. The quad-band phone also features a micro USB 2.0 port, supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HSDPA.

Sony Xperia X1 Revealed

A video is doing the rounds featuring the new Xperia X1 from Sony. This Windows Mobile based device features a full QWERTY, a 3-inch wide 800 x 480 touchscreen VGA display, 3.2 megapixel camera with photo light, A2DP compliant Bluetooth, aGPS, WiFi, and microSD. It only comes with 400MB of on board memory. The phone sports quad-band GSM/EDGE, and 900/1700/1900/2100MHz UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA with 850/1700/1900/2100MHz in the US Centric model. Navigation is accomplished via touch, arc-sliding QWERTY, 4-way key and optical joystick. It will begin shipping in some regions in the third quarter of 2008. No news on price yet.

Sony PS3 Rumours

Rumours are circulating all over the tech blog world regarding the possible demise of the 80GB Playstation 3. According to several sources the 80 GB model will most likely be replace by a 120GB or possibly 160GB models. This certainly makes sense when you look at whats being included these days in desktop pc's and laptops. I'm still torn over buying one because I'm really impressed with the graphics, however I really can't see where I'm going to get the time to play any of those great games. As far as usng the Blu-ray on the unit is concerned, I'm more interested in the capabilities of the new GGW-H2LI and GGC-H2LI, combined HD-DVD and Blu-ray players from LG.

Sony Promise Blu-ray Update for PS3

Sony are promising a new firmware update for their PS3 which will update the units Blu-ray functionality. Although many sites are speculating on what the improvements will be, but I'm guessing that it won't improve the much need deregionalisation of the standard.

Sony Reduce UK Pricing Of PS3

Sony have announced a price frop for the existing 60GB PS3 to £349 and have also announced the introduction of a £299 40GB model which features no memory card readers and only two USB ports. The new model is "no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation 2 titles", which means no support at all ... how confusing is that going to be to parents looking to buy a PS3 for Christmas. When is a PS3 not a PS3 ... I smell lots of product returns after christmas.

Sony Ships Vaio TP1 MPC

Sony have finally shipped the first units of their Living Room PC. The cool white unit looks like a supersized battery and with no hd based drive in it it might as well be ... OK I'm being a bit harsh, but I've come to expect more from Sony expecially with the fact that you can get the PS3 with a Blu-ray as standard. The TP1 is basically a nicely packaged Core 2 Duo machine for your living room. It comes equipped with 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 300GB 7,200RPM SATA hard drive, dual-layer DVD writer, ATSC / NTSC TV tuner, GMA 950 integrated graphics set, and HDMI / DVI / VGA outputs. Sony have also provided an integrated 4-pin FireWire connector, audio in/out, four USB 2.0 ports, Memory Stick/SD slots, 802.11b/g, and Vista Home Premium. The TP1 starts at $1,599.99, and for that price They'd better rethink the lack of a HD Drive.

PS3 Firmware Upgrade Adds New Features

Sony have added a plethora of new features to the PS3. For a list of whats possibly in the upgrade visit the playstation boards. some of the new features include security and personalisation features.

Sony Give Away 100 46" HDTVs

Sony Launched the PS3 in London, by giving away 46" Sony Bravia HDTV's to the first 100 buyers in line at the Virgin Megastore. Lucky so and so's...

Sony Put Rumble Back Into Gaming

After settling a lawsuit with Immersion, Sony have been slow to get this favoured feature back into their JoySticks. Now it appears they are ready to talk Rumble or Force Feedback for the upcoming God of War 3 game. I don really care, but i do have 3 or maybe 5 nephews, who soon want this for Christmas. Did I really say soon? I guess it really isn't that far away.