Big news for Sony PS3 owners who also have Netflix subscriptions – the two companies have announced a partnership to bring Netflix streaming to the PlayStation 3 platform. Due to arrive next month, Netflix streaming will be available to all Netflix members in the U.S. who also own a PS3 console.

Enabling Netflix streaming on your PS3 will be an interesting affair especially if you’re used to other means of activating Netflix-enabled devices. You’ll need to reserve a free instant streaming Blu-ray disc from Netflix which  leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3. Of course, your PS3 console needs to be connected to the Internet in order for the activation to occur (or any streaming for that matter).

Once enabled, Netflix subscribers will be able to view movies and TV shows that can be watched instantly with titles organized into categories such as members’ personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals, and members’ individual Instant Queues. You’ll also be able to add movies and TV shows to their Queues, read synopses, and rate movies on the PS3.

You can reserve the free instant streaming disc for the PS3 by going to www.netflix.com/ps3.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony, Netflix, PlayStation 3, Netflix Streaming

That 120GB hard drive on the Sony PS3 Slim not large enough for ya? Well get ready for a larger capacity version as Sony announced a new 250GB PS3 Slim on Thursday set to debut on November 3rd. The new console will maintain the same slim profile as the 120GB version and will retail for $349.99. Sony will continue to offer the 120GB version at the current price point (which was reduced just last month).

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony PS3 Slim, 250GB PS3 Slim

For those of you that have been waiting on the new social networking features of the Xbox 360 to arrive, you’ll want to check out the hands-on overview of the new apps over at News.com. The new features are due to arrive on the Xbox 360 at some point in November and will feature integrations with Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm. Expect the Xbox Live Video Marketplace to also receive a slight overhaul as it will be called the Zune Marketplace. According to News.com, this follows Microsoft’s desire to make “Zune” their music and video brand.

Of the three social-networking features due to arrive on the Xbox 360, I have to say that the Last.fm one is the app with most functional appeal. Have a social function to hold at home or need some music playing in the background? Seems that Last.fm would be the perfect solution for those needs – simply start it up and let the music stream through to your Xbox 360 from the Net.

Don’t get me wrong of course – the Twitter and Facebook integrations are certainly interesting.. but if I want to check on my friend’s status, I’m more likely to do so on my iPhone or PC than on the Xbox 360. And yes.. Twitter/FB folks – expect many more useless status updates to hit the web once the Xbox 360 integration rolls out because clearly we all need to know that so-and-so is playing Call of Duty 4 right now on some particular map.

Joy..

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Xbox 360, Social Networking, News.com

Final Fantasy fans will be thrilled to hear that Sony has announced a new Final Fantasy XIII Lightning Edition PS3 at the Tokyo Game Show. The white PS3 features Lightning herself printed on the top of the console and comes bundled with Final Fantasy XIII.  The Limited Edition PS3 will be available in the middle of December in Japan for a price of 41,600 yen (or around $459 dollars). No word on when the new version will be available in the U.S.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony Final Fantasy XIII Lightning Edition PS3

It’s really no great surprise by now but Sony has finally lifted the covers off of their new slimmer PlayStation 3 console with a new reduced price of $300 dollars. The new PlayStation 3 Slim will come with a 120GB hard drive, will be 33 percent smaller and 36% lighter than the current brick available in retail stores. Current PS3s will also have their prices dropped and based on these KMart ads – we’re guessing these PS3s will also be priced at umm.. $299?? Expect the new slimmer PS3 during the 1st week of September.

At $300 dollars, I’d consider the PS3 slim as a second Blu-ray player for the bedroom.. though not as a gaming console.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony PlayStation 3 Slim,

Microsoft is set to release the next major software update for the Xbox 360 console starting on August 11th. Known as the Summer 2009 update, this is the first official update after the much heralded New Xbox Experience (NXE) update last November.

If you can’t wait for August 11th, you can always sign up at the Microsoft Connect website to be considered for the Xbox LIVE Update Preview Program. If you’re accepted, you’ll be able to check out the update before it actually comes out across Xbox LIVE on the 11th of August.

PC Magazine got a hold of the update and published a hands-on look over on their website here. Here’s a quick summary of some of the new features in the summer update.

• Netflix functionality gets expanded. You’ll finally be able to add titles to the Instant queue directly on your Xbox 360 console (yup – no more heading to the PC to add titles). You’ll also be able to view titles by genre, or from Netflix recommendations
• There’s also supposedly improved Netflix playback experience and support for the virtual theater allowing you to watch a movie with seven other friends
• Avatar Marketplace allows you to dress up your Xbox 360 avatar (tho you’ll need to spend money to do so)
• Games On Demand – purchase and download full Xbox games directly to your hard drive. Available titles include older titles such as Grand  Theft Auto, and Splinter cell.
• User ratings for games
• Streamlined updates for Xbox LIVE Parties

Check out the PC Mag hands-on for more info and pictures. Head over to Major Nelson for more info on how to sign up for the Preview Program.

Technorati Tags: Xbox 360 Summer 2009 update

I’ve been playing an outrageous amount of Call of Duty World at War recently on Xbox LIVE so you can imagine how psyched I am at the upcoming Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 title slated for November. While you’re waiting for the title to be released, here’s additional multiplayer footage of the game (many thanks  to @xboxmattyb89 on twitter for tweeting this one).

Can’t wait..

[Check it out via Stick Skills]

Technorati Tags: Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

Guitar Hero World Tour fans on the PS3 will love this one. Logitech announces the new Logitech Wireless Drum Controller for the PlayStation 3 platform today – complete with three premium fully adjustable drum heads and two cymbal pads.

The key features of the Wireless Drum Controller include:

• Quiet controls – you’ll hear less of the controls while making sweet music (ha)
• A durable bass pedal with a stainless steel surface
• Comes with a 2.4GHz wireless USB receiver for the PS3 and PS2 platform
• Sets up quickly and folds flat in seconds
• Uses two AA batteries
• Wireless range up to 30 feet

The Logitech Wireless Drum Controller is available in the US starting this month and in Europe starting in August for a price of $199.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Logitech, Wireless Drum Controller, Guitar Hero, PlayStation 3

Ah the lucky folks at the New York Times. They managed to get an “advanced look” at the upcoming Sony PSP Go and published their early findings up on their Gadgetwise blog here. I love their opening paragraph:

“If you want to quickly understand Sony’s PSP Go ($250, coming Oct. 1), just think of the rule of two. Compared with the regular PSP, it is 50 percent smaller, but it costs costs twice as much as Nintendo’s DS, which is outselling it by 100 percent. The new form factor is twice as cool as the older, more clunky PSP 3000, meaning you’re also twice as likely to make room for one next to your phone.”

Only Sony would release a new gaming device that’s more expensive than the previous model – while trying to capture back market dominated by their competitor. Go figure.

There’s a good list of strengths and weaknesses in the preview – and after reading them all, one can’t help but wonder if anyone will really care about the PSP Go in light of the Apple iPod touch and the dominant Nintendo DS and DSi.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony PSP Go, NY Times review

Looks like new PlayStation 3 bundles are starting to appear at Blockbuster and Best Buy.

According to Joystiq.com, Blockbuster’s bundle varies from store to store (if your local store even carries it that is). One store had a bundle featuring a 40GB PS3 console, Transformers: The Game, Spider-Man 3 on Blu-ray, a PS3 remote, an HDMI cable, and a 12 week rental card for $359.99. Another store had an 80GB PS3 console, Transformers: The Game, a PS3 remote, HDMI cable, and a 12 week rental card for $499.99.

Meanwhile, Best Buy’s bundle is far more concrete. For $399.99, you’ll get the 80GB PS3, LittleBigPlanet game, and Wall-E on Blu-ray.

It’s not clear if these bundles are temporary holiday related bundles or a sign of things to come for the PS3.

via SonyInsider.com

Technorati Tags: Sony PlayStation 3 bundle, Blockbuster, Best Buy