The PS3 Slim: The Real Deal

The mysterious PS3 Slim is a mystery no more. Yesterday, Sony finally announced the existence of the shrunk version of the old PS3. Well, this confirms the rumors and the Philippine sighting of this beautiful slab of plastic and silicon -- at least we could all sleep peacefully for now.

New Slimmer and Lighter PlayStation(R)3 to Hit Worldwide Market This September

Lower Price to Further Accelerate Expansion of the PlayStation(R)3 Platform Along with Extensive Software Title Line-up for Upcoming Holiday Season

TOKYO, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today unveiled the new PlayStation®3 (CECH-2000A) (body color: charcoal black) computer entertainment system, featuring an extremely streamlined form factor with a 120GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD). The new PlayStation®3 (PS3®) system will become available in stores from September 1, 2009, in North America, Europe/ PAL territories and Asian countries and regions at a very attractive recommended retail price (RRP) of US$299 and euro 299, respectively. The system will become available in Japan on September 3, 2009, at a RRP of 29,980 yen (including tax). With the introduction of the new PS3 system, SCE will also reduce the price of the current PS3 with 80GB HDD to a RRP of US$299 from August 18 and euro 299 from August 19. Also in North America, the price of PS3 with 160GB HDD will be reduced to a RRP of US$399 from August 18. By launching a vast library of exciting and attractive software titles for PS3 this holiday season and offering customers a line-up of hardware models and pricing to match their preference, SCE will build on the momentum and further accelerate the expansion of the PS3 platform.

The internal design architecture of the new PS3 system, from the main semiconductors and power supply unit to the cooling mechanism, has been completely redesigned, achieving a much slimmer and lighter body. Compared to the very first PS3 model with 60GB HDD, the internal volume as well as its thickness and weight are trimmed down to approximately two-thirds. Furthermore, power consumption is also cut to two-thirds, helping to reduce fan noise. While inheriting the sleek curved body design of the original model, the form factor of the new PS3 system features a new meticulous design with textured surface finish, giving an all new impression and a casual look. With the compact body and casual appearance, the newly introduced model will appeal to a wider audience who are looking to buy the best entertainment system for their home.

Concurrently with the release of the new PS3 system, SCE will modify the PS3 brand name from "PLAYSTATION 3" to "PlayStation 3", and introduce a new "PS3" logo, which is engraved on the surface of the new PS3 system. By unifying under the familiar "PlayStation®" name, which represents the entire PlayStation family, PS3 together with PlayStation®2 and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) will further expand the PlayStation business, and will continue to enhance the entertainment experience along with the ever-growing PlayStation®Network.

The new PS3 continues to offer the cutting-edge features and functions of the current models, such as the ability to enjoy high-definition Blu-ray disc (BD) movies and games, as well as various content and services downloadable through the network. The new PS3's storage size has increased from 80GB to 120GB, and with the extra capacity users will be able to store more games, music, photos, videos as well as various content and services available through PlayStation Network. Having more than 27 million registered accounts around the world, PlayStation Network offers more than 15,000 pieces of digital content, ranging from game titles, trailers, and demos to more than 15,000 movies and TV shows via PlayStation Store(*1). PlayStation Network members can also download free applications, such as PlayStation Home, a ground-breaking 3D social gaming community available on PS3 that allows users to interact, communicate and share gaming experiences, as well as Life with PlayStation, which offers users various news and information on a TV monitor in the living room by connecting the PS3 to the network.

Since the launch of PS3 in November 2006, the number of BD-based titles has reached more than 1,000 titles and downloadable PS3 games to 1,400(*2) titles worldwide, with the support from a broad range of third party game developers and publishers. In addition to this extensive software title line-up, exciting and attractive new titles are to be released from SCE Worldwide Studios, including Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, EyePet, Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, Heavy Rain, God of War 3, MAG, ModNation Racer, Gran Turismo 5 and more.

Other features of the new PS3 include:

PS3 system software update version 3.00

Concurrently with the release of new PS3, system software will be upgraded to version 3.00 on September 1. The update adds various user-friendly features such as the "What's New" screen, where users can quickly browse the new items available in PlayStation Store as well as their recently played games directly on the XMB(TM) (XrossMediaBar), with short cuts to each piece of content. PS3 will evolve continuously with the system software updates, further improving the operability and enhancing the user experience available through the network. PS3 owners will be able to enjoy new features by simply updating the PS3 system software to version 3.00 via the "System Update" function on the XMB(*3).

- BRAVIA(R) Sync(TM) Feature

The new PS3 system is also equipped with the BRAVIA(R) Sync(TM) feature. By connecting the new PS3 system and a BRAVIA TV with the HDMI cable, users are able to directly operate the XMB on PS3 using the TV remote
control. Other functions include "System Standby" that will automatically turn off the PS3 system when the BRAVIA TV is turned off(*4).

- "Vertical Stand" for new PS3 (CECH-2000 series)

By utilizing the separately sold "Vertical Stand", users will be able to set the new PS3 in vertical position(*5), making it easier to place the PS3 system anywhere at home. The vertical stand will become available in Japan on September 3, 2009, at a RRP of 2,000 yen (including tax) and in North America at US$24(*6).

- Removal of "Install Other OS" feature

The new PS3 system will focus on delivering games and other entertainment content, and users will not be able to install other

Operating Systems to the new PS3 system.

Along with a vast line-up of attractive and exciting entertainment content with the new PS3 system, SCE will continue to further expand the PS3 platform and create a new world of computer entertainment.

• 1 Number as of end July 2009. Content within PlayStation Store will differ by region, please refer to the official PlayStation.com site for further details.
• 2 Includes PS one(R) classics and free of charge content (downloadable demos).
• 3 Users will need to connect their PS3 to the network to use the function.
• 4 Users will need to use BRAVIA TV that supports the BRAVIA Sync feature. For further information about BRAVIA Sync, please refer to the official Sony site in each region.
• 5 Users will need to use the separately sold "Vertical Stand" to set the new PS3 in vertical position.
• 6 Release date of the vertical stand for North America will be announced when available. Release date and price of the vertical stand for Europe/ PAL territories and Asian countries and regions will be announced when available.

Spec sheet:

• Product name: PlayStation 3
• Product code: CECH-2000A (Charcoal Black)
• CPU: Cell Broadband Engine™
• GPU: RSX
• Audio output: LPCM 7.1ch, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD, AAC.
• Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
• Hard disk: 120GB 2.5" Serial ATA
• USB 2.0 ports: 2
• Networking: Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 (+EDR)
• Controller: Wireless Controller (Bluetooth) x 1
• AV outputs: HDMI x 1, AV MULTI OUT x 1, Digital out (optical) x 1
• Resolutions: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i (for PAL 576p, 576i)
• BD / DVD / CD drive (read only): BD × 2 (BD-ROM), DVD × 8 (DVD-ROM), CD × 24 (CD-ROM)
• Power: AC 220 – 240, 50/60Hz
• Power consumption: Approx. 250W
• External dimensions (excluding maximum projecting part): Approx. 290 × 65 × 290 mm (width × height × length)
• Mass: Approx. 3.2kg
• Included in box: PlayStation 3 system × 1, Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK 3) × 1, AC power cord × 1, AV cable × 1, USB cable × 1

Best thing about this is that it retails for only $300 or P15,000! Woah!

Ken Block is the Craziest Person I Want to Become!

Many don't know that I'm a big fan of the Subaru Impreza WRX STi. From wallpapers, pictures, manuals, CD catalogues, to model kits, Choro-Qs/Q-Steers, and 1:10 scale R/C bodies -- I've collected everything that I can get my hands on. Ever since college, I've been dreaming of driving (drove the 2008 Impreza Hatch and the 2009 WRX Sedan) owning one. But until that day comes, I'll drool over these for now.

Ken Block is a Subaru rally driver who is famous for his Gymkhanas and his precise drifting exhibitions. This guy is just awesome!

Block and his 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STi (530 WHP):

Block and his 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STi (566 WHP):

Oh, and in case you didn't notice -- he owns DC Shoes!

FHM Philippines July Cover Is the Most Original Ever! -- NOT!

Check this out guys, the July 2009 cover of FHM featuring Aubrey Miles is not quite original. As I watched the Hanging with the Boys episode with Aubrey, I realized that the concept of the cover has been done before. It got me to scour the files I've been keeping for some time now, and presto! -- Ms. Jessica Gomes on one of her famous photoshoots for Sports Illustrated.

Running out of ideas perhaps? Anyway, I leave the 'judging of the cover' to you. Hit the comment button and write down what you think.

Relive Man's First Step on the Moon

As a child, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut and an astronomer to travel through space and discover new worlds. I was a whiz when it comes to names of rockets, capsules, stars, moons, and planets but too bad the Philippines never had a space program (Did Marcos try to create one?).

This week marks the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11, the first mission to land people on the moon. It was so unfortunate that I was not born twenty years earlier to witness this historical landmark, but thanks to modern technology and the internet, we can all watch the mission as it happened forty years ago.

The JFK Presidential Library and Museum set-up a website to recreate the 'most significant' achievement of President John F. Kennedy. If you want to catch a glimpse of the location of the command module Columbia and the lunar lander Eagle at this moment, go to www.wechoosethemoon.org.

"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too." - JFK

The Mystical PS3 Slim: A Black Market Sighting

Another first for the Philippines! A few months back, leaked photos surfaced from the alleged assembly plant of the PS3 Slim in China. Many speculated it was fake, but here's another 'evidence' of its existence -- the world famous footage of the new PS3 Slim being sold in the streets of Manila. Sony must be furious but there's nothing wrong with a little publicity right? Most people in the internet say the 'PS3 Slim' in the video is also fake -- probably another China-made DVD player or something. But who knows? This might be it.

Anyway, here's the original post of the person who took the video:

The Web site this originated from (UltimatePlayStation.com) has been shut down by Sony to kill any evidence of it's existence. However, they have not taken down the YouTube video (below) yet. Enjoy!

To quote: "I'm sorry the video is very short and very low quality, but my phone is ancient and the memory is very low, but I hope you believe me when I say this is in now way a fabrication."

The details are as follows, taken from the Web site now seized by Sony:

• It has a 120GB HDD.
• Two USB Ports
• The 'touch' button for eject and on seems to be gone, and there are now these random buttons.
• The PS icon is now white instead of colored.
• No more card reader
• PLAYSTATION 3 is gone, rather its PS3. It says this on the bottom as well for some reason.
• The guy was selling it with a DualShock 3. Whether it is compatible is another matter.
• The guy was selling it for 20,000 pesos, which is roughly £250, which is roughly $410

If there's any other information on this unit, let us only hope, someone will snatch it up and leak more info on it!!

Read more: http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation-3/ps3-slim-console-surfaces-on-black-market-in-the-philippines/#ixzz0LOmxxBQx

The Sony Bravia WE5: Greener than your Usual HDTV

It’s an inconvenient truth that the world is losing resources quickly. Well, thanks to some manufacturing giants, eco-friendly devices are fast becoming a norm. One of which is Sony, and their WE5 line of flat panel televisions that aims to cut power consumption to up to 40% than that of current LCD TVs.

The Sony Bravia 40WE5 is a full-HD 40-incher that belongs to Sony’s line of eco-friendly and energy saving LCD TVs. We all know that the majority of the energy goes to lighting up the panel, so Sony developed a new kind of lighting called the Hot Cathode Florescent Lamp which uses 50% less electricity to produce the same amount of light. And with higher efficiency, translates to lesser number of bulbs – significantly lowering your electric bill!

This Sony WE5 HDTV features a Presence Sensor that uses heat and motion to constantly monitor if there’s a person in the room watching. If no one is present, it automatically turns-off the backlight but the sound remain; and if no one comes back for a longer period of time, it puts itself into standby mode. Also, it has an Ambient Light Sensor which adjusts the brightness of the picture according to the brightness of the room. If you choose not use it for a long time, a power saving switch completely cuts energy consumption to zero.

Despite the eco-friendly features packed into this set, picture quality is uncompromised. The Sony Bravia 3 engine delivers vibrant colors, crisp visuals, and stunning clarity to HD and SD programs alike and the Motionflow 120Hz eliminates ‘LCD ghosting’ during fast-moving games and action scenes. It also promises to deliver a 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, but compared to other sets with the common CCFL bulb, the WE5’s blacks aren’t black enough. But on the brighter side, there are no backlight inconsistencies throughout the panel.

The Sony Bravia KDL-40WE5 is an awesome product that combines earth-friendly features with great performance. And for P139,999 for the 40-inch model, it will definitely pay for itself in energy savings.

Oh and did I mention that it comes in a box made from recycled paper? Yep. Cool.

The Samsung S3500 Mobile Phone

While developed and released to be a mid entry-level mobile phone, the Samsung S3500 is not your typical cheap-looking budget phone. This quad-band GPRS and EDGE-capable phone hides quite a number of tricks up its sleeve including a 2Megapixel camera, a music player, and FM radio.

Reminiscent of the more expensive Samsung U900 Soul, it tries to present itself favorably with the slide interface and brushed aluminum fascia. It is solidly built with no hint of wobbling or squeaks on the slide mechanism.

It has a 2-megapixel camera on the top part of the phone which has superb panorama, mosaic, burst modes together with the night shooting mode to compensate for its lack of flash. The S3500 comes standard with a microSD slot for up to 8GB of storage for images, videos, or music. The music player can sort songs by artist, album or genre and even keeps track of the most played songs.

Although it doesn’t come with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, it can wirelessly stream your tunes to your Bluetooth-capable headphones or car head unit. FM radio and music player can be easily controlled with the D-pad. JAVA apps and games are supported but unfortunately, all games included in the package are all demos.

The Samsung S3500 is a looker on a budget. Though it's nothing original nor cutting-edge, it can count on some of that Soul or the Nokia 6500 slide charisma. The camera performance is nothing special either, but the music player and FM radio perform well. If they just added 3G capability like the oher phones in its price range, then this is definitely a steal at P6,500.