The Emmy award goes to… the SIXAXIS? Nope!

Posted by multippt

It looks like a little miscommunication and over-enthusiasium could lead to things… well, going out of hand. Sony was mis-informed on the incident, and as proof, there is a nice looking press release that declares, that the Emmy award is (unfortunately) not for the SIXAXIS.

Press Release from Sony:
“In a press release dated January 8, 2007, SCEA announced we had been recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) with a Technology and Engineering Emmy Award for the SIXAXIS wireless controller. Due to miscommunication between the two organizations, this information was incorrectly reported. SCEA won a Technology and Engineering Emmy Award for the DUALSHOCK controller.

We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused.”

Well, it would have been a nice news story, if the Emmy award actually went to the SIXAXIS.

By the way, if you are wondering where the Emmy actually went to, no its not the Nintendo Wii(mote)… it is the Dualshock! Well, at least Sony still has an Emmy award.

Did anyone say 3.03 OE-B?

Posted by multippt

Once again, Dark_Alex magically appears (and concludes that Dark_Alex is the homebrew god)… and announces the release of the PSP custom firmware, 3.03 OE-B! Of course, we did say this was going to happen in days to come, but Dark_Alex manages to fulfill that rumor, by releasing it A DAY after the rumor start making its way to the blogosphere (or the internet).

The installation step is roughly the same as that of installing 3.03 OE-A’, and the update can ONLY be run from the PSP custom firmware 3.03 OE-A or 3.03 OE-A’ (recommended)

The changes (from 3.03 OE-A’) is as followed:
-MP4-AVC videos can be played at 480×272 resolution
-PSP isos picture fixed
-Some (CPU) speed functions were changed
-Changes in structure of the firmware to allow more free RAM in game mode.

Basically, it means that the rumor is definitely true. Well, now that 3.03 OE-B is out, what’s next? 3.03 OE-B’?

(By the way, looks like a reader at QJ.net beat me at Digg (I should have checked the front page, before rushing)… Oh well…, time for me to try again.)

Via lan.st

Xbox 360 Boss Trashes PS3

Posted by signup

Ah, remember the good old days before the PS3 was released when Microsoft would regularly trash PlayStation 3 while touting Xbox 360 at the same time? Well, it appears the trash talkin’ days are back with a vengeance.

“It’s taken a company like Microsoft four solid years to get where we are today - the richness of the experience, the consistency of the experience, constantly updating features and making it feel fresh - and we’re a software company and this is a software plane,” said Microsoft’s Peter Moore to gamesindustry.biz.

“It is not in Sony’s DNA to be able to get that up and running from zero.”

Moore does not believe that Sony has what it takes at the moment to make PS3 a viable competitor. And he’s not being shy about his opinions.

“It’s going to take [Sony] a couple of years to get up to speed on this, and I’m not sure that they necessarily have the talent, or it’s built into who they are as a company,” he explained.

“They’re struggling with some of their hardware issues, and apparently they’re going to deliver another five million in the next 90 days. But this business is about hardware, software and services now. And the consumer expects that.”

PSP Goes Gold

Posted by signup

Sony plans special color for Japanese release of Monster Hunter Portable.

January 10, 2007 - It took two years for Sony to get around to releasing PSP software/hardware bundles featuring limited edition system colors. And now, following the brave first steps taken by Tales of the World and Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops late last year, the third such bundle has been announced.

Coinciding with the 2/22 Japanese release of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd, the sequel to the PSP’s best selling title yet in Japan, Sony and Capcom are teaming up for the release of the Monster Hunter Portable 2nd Hunters Pack. This 27,300 yen bundle will include a PSP, copy of the game, AC adapter, battery pack, soft case, strap, a cleaner made to resemble one of the replenishing meat snacks from the game, and a couple of system skins.

We’re not sure who’d actually use the system skins, though, as the bundled PSP is special in its own right. Black? White? Blue? Camouflage? Forget it! This time, Sony has put together a gold colored unit! Specially, the unit’s color is referred to as Champagne Gold.

Only 22,222 Hunter Packs will be produced. But don’t fret if you haven’t pre-ordered. The Champagne Gold system, model PSP-1000 CG, will be sold on its own at a cost of 20,790 yen.

All the fun will be available on 2/22, only in Japan.

PlayStation 3 SIXAXIS Takes Home An Emmy

Posted by signup

Now the PlayStation 3 controller and Brad Garrett share something in common; they’re both Emmy winners.Here’s the official braggin’ straight from Sony:

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that it has been recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Technology and Engineering Emmy Award for the PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system’s SIXAXIS wireless controller. SCEA will receive this distinguished honor at an awards presentation being held tonight at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2007 in Las Vegas.

The SIXAXIS wireless controller comes standard with PS3 and enables gamers to harness the potential of the world’s most powerful computer entertainment system. Developed by refining the popular original PlayStation® controller, the de facto standard in gaming with several hundred millions units shipped worldwide, the SIXAXIS wireless controller features motion-sensing technology to detect natural and intuitive movements for real-time and high precision interactive play, acting as a natural extension of the user’s body.

Further illustrating its industry leadership, SCEA will be honored with several other awards at CES for the powerful technology and innovative engineering behind PS3 including the CES Best of Innovations Award for 2007, PC World’s 20 Most Innovative Products Award, Sound & Vision’s Editor’s Choice Award and Digital Entertainment Group’s (DEG) Emiel N. Petrone Digital Innovation Award.

“The overwhelming consumer demand and critical acclaim for PS3 is a testament of the platform’s strength and the industry’s desire for a true next-generation entertainment system,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. “The full potential of this powerful machine has yet to be realized – what you’ve seen so far is just a taste of what will be on the table for 2007 and years to come.”

Apple reveals its iPhone

Posted by multippt

Apple recently revealed its iPhone during this recent Macworld conference, 2007 (not to be mistaken for the one from Linksys). Before you think that the iPhone can be your great replacement for your cellphone, think again. The iPhone misses one (common) feature that cellphones have, 3G. The iPhone might have trouble selling in Japan, where every cellphone owner is 3G-savvy.

Rather than regarding the iPhone as a phone, you should regard the iPhone as the next-generation iPod (with the capabilities of a basic cellular phone, combo-ed with features from a PDA [personal digital assistant]). Well, at least the iPhone is definitely the type of phone you expect to see several years into the future. Nevertheless, the iPhone should sell pretty well in the US.

The iPhone is may be light, but not it’s price tag. You would be better off getting both a 20GB and a 60GB PS3 (Sony would be really happy). That is equivalent to US$600, which is bound to leave a mark on anyone’s wallet. Well, at least the screen of the iPhone is (probably) a touch screen.

PSP custom firmware 3.03 OE-B on the horizon?

Posted by multippt

Rumor has it that Dark_Alex has already begun work on his next custom firmware (a.k.a. 3.03 OE-B)! This custom firmware probably amends some possible bugs in custom firmware 3.03 OE-A’. Of course with all the excitement of the custom firmwares 3.03 OE-A and 3.03 OE-A’ release, (almost) everyone in the homebrew communiity is hyped-up on what Dark_Alex has in store for the next few days.

There isn’t much information regarding this rumor (since it is a rumor).

Via PSPgen (French)