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

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,

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

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

Now here’s an interesting take on the whole rhythm gaming genre. The game is called “Scratch: The Ultimate DJ” and it’s basically a game that lets you pretend to be a DJ – allowing you to whip out beats and scratches using a new hardware controller called the Scratch Deck. The Scratch Deck, designed by Numark Industries, combines two elements of DJ and “hip-hop experiences” – a free spinning, touch sensitive turntable with a crossfader and 5 Akai Pro MPC-style drum pads. I know.. sweet huh?

Here’s what Numark and Genius Inc have to say about the Scratch Deck:

“The turntable allows players to add their own style and manipulate the songs in real time, while the MPC-style drum pads give players the opportunity to perform and customize tracks by triggering samples using the very same pads that are the cornerstone of professional hip-hop beat production. Samples can either be pre-loaded into the game using 60 unique battle records that will ship with the software, or players can record and upload their own samples using a compatible USB microphone.

In addition to the features created by Numark, SCRATCH DECK also contains standard game controls found in music rhythm games. The turntable features a realistic surface that feels remarkably similar to a vinyl record. The drum pads and the crossfader also deliver an authentic and realistic music production experience. Left-handed DJs will appreciate that SCRATCH DECK is designed for use in right or left-handed configurations. “

The new Scratch Deck controller and the game “Scratch: The Ultimate DJ” will be showcased for hands-on play at the upcoming E3. Expect both in the fall of this year for the Xbox 360 and PS3 game consoles.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Numark Industries, Genius Products, Scratch The Ultimate DJ, Scratch Deck DJ Controller

Could there really be some truth to a slimmer PlayStation 3 console? Images of a supposed redesigned PS3 console have popped up on Chinese message boards (and yes.. we all trust Chinese message boards don’t we?) and they’re now making the waves here in the U.S.

Yeah I know.. this one’s a bit of a yawner. Does anyone really care about a slimmer PS3 without a reduction in price? Heck.. at least with the current model, I feel like I’m buying something hefty enough to warrant $400 dollars.

Anyhow, back to the matter at hand – would you really buy the PS3 if it was thinner than it was now? Would this alone cause you to go out and pick one up? Somehow I don’t think so.

However, we do have some good ideas that might help spur on sales:

• Lower pricing?
• Better content?
• Easier development environment?

Then again, with Sony in the red for the year, cutting the price of the PS3 is probably not a good idea for Sony.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony PlayStation 3 slim

If I had one complaint with Logitech Harmony Remote Controls over the last few years it would its inability to control the Sony PlayStation 3 console thanks to the lack of built-in Bluetooth wireless connectivity. It’s a pain I tell ya – if I want to watch a Blu-ray movie, the Sony PS3 controller needs to be accessible in order for me to control the console.

HOWEVER, it appears this problem is now remedied thanks to the availability of the new Logitech Harmony Adapter for the PlayStation 3 console. Think of this adapter as basically a proxy between a Harmony Universal Remote Control and the Sony PS3 console – receiving and transforming commands from the Harmony remote into Bluetooth wireless commands for the PS3. All I can say is – it’s about time.

Features include:

• Works with all Logitech Harmony Remotes
• Supports all 51 PS3 commands
• Compact low-profile design
• Guided online setup
• Always-on wireless link to PS3

The Harmony Adapter for the PS3 is currently available at Amazon.com for $59.99.

[Check it out via SlashGear]

Technorati Tags: Logitech Harmony Adapter for Sony PlayStation 3

Unleash that rock star inside of you with the new Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller for the Sony PS2 and PlayStation 3 consoles. This new “Black Edition” guitar is officially licensed for Guitar Hero and is made out of authentic materials such as a wood neck and body, a rosewood fingerboard, and metal frets. The guitar works with Guitar Hero games for the PS3, and with Guitar Hero World Tour games on the PS2 platform. 

Other features include:

• One-piece contoured wood body
• Reduced button noise
• Rubber dome technology on the fret board controls
• Touch-sensitive slider located on the neck of the guitar
• Wireless range of up to 30 feet from the console
• Hundreds of hours of battery life

The Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller will be available in a pristine black finish along with a glossy black pick guard for a retail price of $199.99. Expect the guitar to be available this month in the U.S. and in June for Europe.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller, Sony PS2, Sony PlayStation 3, Guitar Hero