PlayStation 3 leapfrogs Xbox 360 in January US console sales

Nary a fortnight after EA proclaimed that Sony's PlayStation 3 would best the Xbox 360 in sales during 2008, said prophecy is already starting to come true. Granted, we're only talking one month so far, but according to new US sales data from NPD Group, Microsoft's console actually slipped to third in the numbers race. Unsurprisingly, Nintendo's darling took home the gold (again) with 274,000 units sold in January, while the PS3 slipped in just 5,000 units below with 269,000. As for Redmond, it only moved 230,000 units last month, but spokesman David Dennis boldly stated that the firm believes its third-place finish to be "an anomaly." Considering that the Grim Reaper is well on its way to claiming the life of the 360s HD DVD add-on while Sony relishes the decision to cram BD drives within the PS3, we're not so sure these figures won't become a trend.

via engadget

Sony’s Apple Remote Control

Is there any place for innovation when it comes to the design of remote controls? Apparently, there is. This Sony’s”apple” allows users to perform basic functions like changing channels, volume etc. with simple motion gestures (see image below). Once “apples” are placed on the bowl, the remote control is being recharged. Neither price nor production dates are known.

via (smashing magazine and techeblog)

Sony Ericsson New gadget 2008

Sony Ericsson are very focused on the web, and how the web has changed the way in which we work and play. The web has now become a way of life to many consumers, and with this in mind they are launching new web based phone and a new PC communications device.

The K660i

Aimed at the youth market, the Sony Ericsson K660i is designed for using the web, with HSDPA. It also comes with four 1-touch illuminated shortcuts for web browsing. You can view the web in landscape or portrait and the central navigation key becomes they mouse when in web mode. Sony have also for the first time on a generic Sony Ericsson handset enabled Google maps. It comes in two colours, Lime on White and Wine on Black. It comes enabled with instant messaging, RSS feed reader and desktop, Email Client, 2MP camera with 4x digital zoom, Bluetooth, and a music player complete with FM Radio, TrackID, PlayNow and MegaBass.

MD300 USB Modem

Sony Ericsson also launched their first USB Mobile Broadband Modem. It has quad band EDGE and tri band HSDPA. It can operate on Mac-OS X and Windows 2000, XP and Vista. It also has a 128MB internal memory for storing files on it. It has Sony Ericsson wireless manager on it and comes with auto-installation and auto-configuration making it quick and easy to get up and running.

W380i

August 2005 is an important date in many consumers’ lives; it was the date when the first walkman phones went on sale. Since then over 45 million walkman phones have been shipped. The walkman phone is a phone which combines more storage, better battery life and different accessories. However, Sony Ericsson have now realised that the consumer expects more; more music, more ways of playing the music and more ways to share music. With this in mind, they launched two new walkman phones.

The Sony W380 is the successor to the W300 and comes in a clamshell design. Aimed at the youth market, it comes complete with many unique and original features such as gesture control, which mutes calls or silences the alarm with a wave of your hand. It also has the walkman controls on top of the phone, so that you can easily manage your music. The slogan for this handset is ‘ hear, see and feel music’ which is accurate, as the handset comes with a media manager, that means you can easily share and transfer music, photos and videos between your computer and phone. The W380 comes with TrackID, PlayNow, FM Radio, 512MB memory stick, Bluetooth, MegaBass, 1.3MP Camera with 4x digital zoom, RSS reader, Web, GSM, GPRS, EDGE and comes in Electric Purple, Magnetic Grey and Champagne Black.

Sony W890i

The W890 comes with the slogan ‘Design for music’ which is exactly what this phone is, complete with a 2 GB memory stick that can store up to 1800 tracks, you will never run out of songs to listen to. The handset itself is really slim and stylish, and is as thin as a CD case. It comes in three colours, Espresso Black, Mocha Brown and Sparkling Silver. It comes with a headset in the same colour to keep the style flowing. It comes complete with FM Radio, PlayNow, TrackID and MeagBass, along with many of Sony Ericsson’s other music features.
The 3.2 MP camera comes with a digital zoom, and is also enabled for video recording, and picture and video blogging. It also comes with an RSS feed reader, the web, email, Bluetooth, HSDPA, EDGE and GSM.

via app4mobile

New Slim Black Sony PSP 2000

the new piano black slim Sony PSP ships. Until now only the silver Daxter PSP bundle was shipping. Since yesterday Amazon.com ships the new Sony PSP for $169.99.

The thickness of the new PSP is 18.6mm, where as the original PSP measures 23mm. The three new features are the TV Out, the improved load time of UMD games and the ability to charge the PSP via USB ports of PCs or PS3 consoles.

Cnet Review :

The good: Lighter, slimmer, and sleeker update of the original PSP; AV output for video and game playback on TVs; improved load times for games; retains all of the impressive media and online features of the original PSP; deep lineup of great game titles that offer better graphics than Nintendo DS games.

The bad: Despite improvements, problems and annoyances remain: UMD load times still poky compared to Flash-based DS games; volume levels still less than optimal; limited gameplay options via video output; USB charging option is cumbersome; screen is still too reflective and a magnet for fingerprints; subtle redesign missed the opportunity to add even more features.

The bottom line: While it may not be a must-have upgrade for existing PSP owners, a host of subtle improvements make the latest Sony PSP (aka the PSP 2000) an even better deal for anyone looking for a solid portable gaming and multimedia device.

more information : via CNET and i4u

White Sony PSP 2000 Star Wars Edition ships

The wait is over, today the new white slim Sony PSP Star Wars Battlefront Renegade Squadron Entertainment Pack is shipping.

Amazon.com sells the new Star Wars PSP for $199.99.

This is the final model of the three new slim Sony PSP consoles that Sony announced earlier this year.
The ceramic white Sony PSP comes bundled with the Star Wars Battlefront Renegade Squadron game. Printed on the backside is a Star Wars Darth Vader mask.
The silver Daxter PSP went on sale first and than came the standard slim black PSP.

CNET Review :

The good: Lighter, slimmer, and sleeker update of the original PSP; AV output for video and game playback on TVs; improved load times for games; retains all of the impressive media and online features of the original PSP; deep lineup of great game titles that offer better graphics than Nintendo DS games.

The bad: Despite improvements, problems and annoyances remain: UMD load times still poky compared to Flash-based DS games; volume levels still less than optimal; limited gameplay options via video output; USB charging option is cumbersome; screen is still too reflective and a magnet for fingerprints; subtle redesign missed the opportunity to add even more features.

The bottom line: While it may not be a must-have upgrade for existing PSP owners, a host of subtle improvements make the latest Sony PSP (aka the PSP 2000) an even better deal for anyone looking for a solid portable gaming and multimedia device.

FEATURES :

What's different: Comparing the updated PSP to the original
If you're already familiar with the PSP, we'll cut right to the chase. The new PSP is an evolutionary upgrade, with the following key changes:

• Thinner and lighter: The new PSP is 19 percent thinner and fully one-third lighter than the original version of the console.
  
• Slightly improved cosmetics and controls: The thinner profile offers a slightly sleeker, more rounded look and feel.
  
• Faster loading times: The new PSP utilizes a system setting called "UMD Cache" that enables faster loading of game discs. The secret is the new PSP's extra RAM--it's got 64MB versus the 32 on the original model, and just like a PC, more memory enables faster performance.
• Video output: The new PSP features an AV output jack (which doubles as a standard headphone connector).

USB charging: The new PSP can be charged via the USB port, but it's more trouble than it's worth. The resulting trickle charge will take about 5 hours to fully juice up the unit, versus about half that using the standard adapter.

Design
Aside from the slimmer dimensions (2.81 inches high by 6.63 inches wide by 0.63 inch deep) and lighter weight (just over 7 ounces--or 200 grams-- with the battery, game disc, and Memory Stick on board), the new Sony PSP doesn't look much different from its predecessor.

more information

Sony Japan's ceramic white PS3 and DualShock 3 announced

DUALSHOCK®3 Wireless Controller which was revealed at Tokyo Game Show, will become available in the Japanese market on November 11th in two colors of “Black” and “Ceramic White” at a recommended retail price of 5,500 yen including tax. Sony Computer Entertainemento (Japanese-English for Entertainment) has officially announced that the New PS3 CECHH00 Series, which is roughly a PS3 with HDMI, and 60GB version which loses 20GB of storage will be sold in Japan for 39980 Yen (243 euro), from 11/11 onwar





more information

Sony Alpha a700 DSLR hands-on

Sony is expanding its a (Alpha) digital SLR system with the introduction of the DSLR-A700 camera, which is aimed at photo enthusiasts or serious photo hobbyists.

The new model features advanced imaging technologies and ultra-responsive operation, as well as a lightweight, dust- and moisture-resistant, magnesium alloy construction common to enthusiast-class D-SLR cameras.

Like Sony’s mainstream DSLR-A100 model, the new A700 unit incorporates Super SteadyShot® Inside image stabilization in the camera body and is compatible with most Minolta Maxxum® mount lenses in addition to Sony lenses.

“Discerning photo enthusiasts will be impressed with the rugged construction and outstanding performance of the A700, said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. “We also expect that this new camera will re-define the post-capture experience with HDMI™ output for high-quality playback of images on high-definition televisions.”

Sony Alpha A700: New features

• 12.2MP CMOS sensor, Sony says sensor is "all-new for this camera"
• More rugged body, magnesium alloy and polycarbonate construction
• Environmental seals
• Continuous 5 fps shooting, no buffer limit in JPEG Fine/Normal mode with sufficiently fast memory card
• All-new shutter, vertical traverse, 1/8,000 max speed, 1/250 or 1/200 x-sync (slower when Super SteadyShot is turned on)
• Viewfinder is glass pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.9x magnification.
• DRO (Dynamic Range Optimization) has been revised to include five user-selectable levels in D-R+ mode
• 922K-pixel LCD, 267 ppi vs 160 ppi for typical 230K-pixel 2.5" monitors
• Dual CompactFlash (type I/II) and Memory Stick Pro Duo card slots
• Lithium-ion battery good for 650 shots
• New lens for high-end kits: 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6
  • Goes wider than any other kit lens, is equivalent of 24mm at wide end, vs 27mm equivalent for others. Doesn't sound like much, but the difference is 83 degree coverage for 16mm vs 76 degrees for 18mm.
• Super Steady-Shot image stabilization enhanced
• Both Eye Start and Grip Start sensors for AF
• Predictive autofocus has been enhanced
• Direct HDMI output built-in
  • New Sony Bravia televisions will have special PhotoTV setting, optimized for still pictures. Higher resolution, more gradation, richer color. More natural contrast, not as pumped as standard TV mode
• New vertical grip with full controls, holds one or two batteries for extended runtime
• Sony's goal: "Number One total picture quality among mid-class DLSRs"
  • New sensor with on-chip A/D converters
  • New image processor (entirely new BIONZ design)
  • RAW noise reduction, fast & low-noise processing optimized for CMOS

more information and imaging resource

Sony's Cyber-shot T200

Price : $369.00 - $404.09 at 11 online stores. click here

You may remember Sony's new Cyber-shot T200 from way back at IFA, where we had the great and terrible pleasure of getting our grubby mitts all over it. Well, CNET Asia has gotten their mitts on the device for a thorough review, and we thought we'd bring you the many, many highlights. Overall, they seem to like the design, but aren't crazy about the loss of some buttons, which they say makes the camera feel a little cramped, though the large, 3.5-inch touchscreen display makes up for it. The camera's smile detection -- which is one of its more novel features -- is reported to be inaccurate and touchy, and the speed of startup and first shot on the T200 apparently leaves something to be desired. CNET says that the camera's image quality is "decent," but that they detected noise at ISO 400, and anything past ISO 800 was a nasty mess. Overall, they're not in love, but they do seem to be feeling a strong "like." Browse on over and catch the whole review.

Main Features Sony's Cyber-shot T20

• Resolution
• 8.1 megapixels

• Sensor resolution
• 8.1 megapixels

• Optical Sensor Type
• Super HAD CCD

• Effective Sensor Resolution
• 8,100,000 pixels

• Total Pixels
• 8,300,000 pixels

• Optical Sensor Size
• 1/2.5 in

• Light Sensitivity
• ISO 80, ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO 3200, ISO auto

• Digital Zoom
• 2 x

• Shooting Modes
• Frame movie mode

• Shooting Programs
• Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Landscape, Soft snap, Twilight mode, Hi-speed shutter, High sensitivity, Twilight portrait

• Special effects
• Sepia, Vivid, Neutral, Black & White

• Max Shutter Speed
• 1/1000 sec

• Min Shutter Speed
• 1 sec

• Exposure Metering
• Spot, Multi-segment, Center-weighted

• Exposure Modes
• Program, Automatic

• Exposure Compensation
• ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps

• White Balance
• Custom, Presets, Automatic

• White Balance Presets
• Flash, Cloudy, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent light (daylight), Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (warm white)

• Digital video format
• MPEG VX

• Still Image Format
• JPEG

• Image Stabilizer
• Optical (Super Steady Shot)

• Color support
• Color

• TV Tuner
• None

• Video Capture
• MPEG - 640 x 480, MPEG - 640 x 480, MPEG - 160 x 112

Sony NWZ-A818 (8GB, black)

PRICE : $199.95 - $249.95 at 3 online stores. click here

REVIEW:

The good: The Sony NWZ-A810 offers a slim design with a lovely, ample screen. It's also easy to use and comes with high-quality earphones. Audio quality is excellent, and there are plenty of sound enhancement options and two custom EQs. The player supports photo and video playback as well as subscription WMA files.

The bad: Even with the included extender, the Sony NWZ-A810's earphone cable is very short. The placement of the hold button on the back of the player is neither convenient nor ergonomic. There's no FM tuner, voice recorder, or memory expansion slot.

The bottom line: The Sony NWZ-A810 offers a fantastic display, a sleek design and interface, and a stellar rated battery life--plus, it's one of the few players that sounds great right out of the box. Users looking for the whole package (sans radio) will be pleased.

FEATURES

8GB Built-in Memory¹

Store up to 5,050 Songs² or up to 30H 40M of video⁵ on your Walkman® video MP3 Player and never be without your entertainment again.

High Quality Video Playback

Playback your favorite videos right on the player using MPEG 4 and M4V profile at 30 frames per second.

Battery Life

With up to 33 hours of audio playback⁷ and up to 8 hours of video playback⁸ you don't have to worry about charging your player.

2.0" QVGA LCD Screen⁹

Easily view your movies, photos and music information on the high quality, 320x240 display.

Compatible with Secure Windows Media Audio³

Giving you more options than ever for downloading and listening to music.

MP3/WMA/AAC Audio Codec Support³

Supports playback of MP3 and WMA DRM and non-DRM audio files downloaded from multiple sources. Also supports non-DRM AAC content, giving you multiple options for downloading music the way you want.

4 Clear Audio Technologies

Digital Sound Enhancement Engine(DSEE), Clear Bass, Clear Stereo and EX Series Headphones give an enhanced listening experience. Clear Bass enahnces the bass sound, minimizing distortion whileClear Stereo reduces the leaking from one channel to another. DSEE restores the higher sound frequency lost when creating compressed music files, thus reproducing a sound quality closer to the original CD quality.

Time Machine Shuffle¹¹

Shuffle play among songs from a randomly selected year. (Information will come from CD information that is downloaded from the Gracenote CDDB®)

Music Search

Search for music on your Walkman® video player by All Songs, Album, Artist, Genre, Release Year, Folder and Playlists.

Initial Search

Use the first letter of the song, album or artist to easily find the music you are looking for.

Bi-Directional LCD Display

Watch your videos and view your photographs either vertically or horizontally by adjusting the screen to the orientation you prefer.

Play Station Portable (psp sony)

PRICE : $149.95 - $195.87 at 8 online stores. click here

FEATURES :
Multiplayer
Choose whom to play, where to play and when to play - two multiplayer modes let you take on the world or just your buddies.

Movies & VideoWatch
full-length, feature movies and TV shows -- over 430 UMD™ movies and TV shows available including Napoleon Dynamite, The Family Guy, Lords of Dogtown, Benchwarmers and the Dave Chappelle show. Or watch videos saved to your Memory Stick Duo™.



PhotosDigital Images:
Carry your favorite pictures with you wherever you go.

NetworkWith Wi-Fi
functionality you can go online with your PSP® or communicate directly with other PSP® systems. Play games online, browse the web and more.

more information

High Definition Handycam® Camcorder HDR-CX7

PRICE : $874.95 - $1,199.99 at 10 online stores. click here

FEATURES :

3.2 Megapixel (Gross) ClearVid™ CMOS Sensor

1/2.9" ClearVid CMOS Sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (1080 lines of resolution - HD Mode or 530 lines of horizontal resolution - SD Mode) and still image performance (6.1 Megapixel). Unlike traditional CCD Imagers, CMOS Sensors require less power, providing better battery performance.

Switchable HD/SD Format Recording

The HDR-CX7 is capable of recording and playing back both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video recorded on Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media (sold separately)

x.v.Color™ Technology

x.v.Color technology can capture or display nearly twice as many (1.8x) viewable colors than currently possible. This provides a more accurate and vivid color range, for a more natural, lifelike overall experience.

10X Optical / 20X Digital Zoom

The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, the Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T Lens

Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare.

2.7" Wide⁴ (16:9) Hybrid Touch Panel Clear Photo LCD Plus™ Display (211K Pixels)

The 2.7" Wide (16:9) LCD screen provides exceptional viewing clarity with improved resoltuion. The 211K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback, and the widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.

Smooth Slow Record

By increasing the record rate from 60 fields per second (fps) to 240 fps for 3 seconds allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is great for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, record an audio track to narrate what is being seen in the video.

Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media Slot

Capture still images up to 2848x2136 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media (sold separately) for easy trasfer to PCs for emailing, printing or shairing with other compatible Memory Stick PRO Duo™ devices (sold separately).

more information