Sony PlayStation 3
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| Manufacturer | Sony, Foxconn and ASUSTeK for SCEI[1] |
|---|---|
| Product family | PlayStation |
| Type | Video game console |
| Generation | Seventh generation era |
| First available | November 11, 2006 (details) |
| CPU | 3.2 GHz Cell Broadband Engine with 1 PPE & 7 SPEs |
| GPU | 550 MHz NVIDIA/SCEI RSX 'Reality Synthesizer' |
| Media | Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD (all models) Super Audio CD (20 GB, 60 GB, 80 GB models) |
| System storage | 2.5" SATA hard drive (20 GB, 40 GB, 60 GB, 80 GB, or 160 GB included) |
| Controller input | Sixaxis, DualShock 3 |
| Connectivity | |
| Online service | PlayStation Network |
| Units sold | 16.84 million (as of September 30, 2008)[2] (details) |
| Best-selling game | MotorStorm, 3.31 million (as of December 30, 2007)[3] |
| Backward compatibility | PlayStation (all models) PlayStation 2 (20 GB, 60 GB and CECHE 80 GB models) |
| Predecessor | PlayStation 2 |
The PlayStation 3 (officially marketed PLAYSTATION 3,[4] commonly abbreviated PS3) is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment, and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 is competing with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles.
A major feature that distinguishes the PlayStation 3 from its predecessors is its unified online gaming service, the PlayStation Network,[5] which contrasts with Sony's former policy of relying on game developers for online play.[6] Other major features of the console include its robust multimedia capabilities,[7] connectivity with the PlayStation Portable,[8] and its use of a high-definition optical disc format, Blu-ray Disc, as its primary storage medium.[9] The PS3 was also the first Blu-ray 2.0-compliant Blu-ray player on the market.[10]
The PlayStation 3 was first released on November 11, 2006 in Japan,[11] November 17, 2006 in North America,[12] and March 23, 2007 in Europe and Oceania.[13][14] Two SKUs were available at launch: a basic model with a 20 GB hard drive (HDD), and a premium model with a 60 GB hard drive and several additional features[15] (the 20 GB model was not released in Europe or Oceania).[16] Since then, several revisions have been made to the console's available models.[17]
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History
Sony officially unveiled the PlayStation 3 to the public on May 16, 2005, during the E3 2005 conference.[18] A functional version of the system was not present there,[19] nor at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2005,[20] although demonstrations (such as Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots[19]) were held at both events on devkits and comparable PC hardware.[19][20] Video footage based on the predicted PlayStation 3 specifications was also shown (e.g. Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire).[21]
The initial prototype shown in May 2005 featured two HDMI ports, three Ethernet ports and six USB ports;[22] however, when the system was shown again a year later at E3 2006, these were reduced to one HDMI port, one ethernet port and four USB ports, presumably to cut costs.[15][23] Two hardware configurations were also announced for the console: a 20 GB model and a 60 GB model, priced at $499 (€499) and $599 (€599), respectively.[15] The 60 GB model would be the only configuration to feature an HDMI port, Wi-Fi internet, flash card readers and a chrome trim with the logo in silver.[15] Both models were announced for a simultaneous worldwide release: November 11 for Japan, and November 17 for North America and Europe.[24]
On September 6, 2006, Sony announced that the PAL region (Europe and Oceania) PlayStation 3 launch would be delayed until March 2007, due to a shortage of materials used in the Blu-ray Disc drive.[25]
At the Tokyo Game Show on September 22, 2006, Sony announced that it would include an HDMI port on the 20 GB system, but a chrome trim, flash card readers, silver logo, and Wi-Fi would not be included.[26] Also, the launch price of the Japanese 20 GB model was reduced by over 20%,[27] and the 60 GB model was announced for an open pricing scheme in Japan.[27] During the event, Sony showed 27 playable PS3 titles running on final hardware.[28]
Read More...PSP (PlayStation Portable)
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| Manufacturer | Sony Computer Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Product family | PlayStation |
| Type | Handheld game console |
| Generation | Seventh generation era |
| First available | JP December 12, 2004 NA March 24, 2005 PAL September 1, 2005 |
| CPU | MIPS R4000-based; clocked from 1 to 333 MHz |
| Media | UMD |
| System storage | Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (802.11b),[1] IrDA, USB |
| Units shipped | Worldwide: 41 million (as of August 20, 2008)[2] (details) |
| Best-selling game | Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, 2.55 million (as of September 30, 2008)[3] |
| Successor | PlayStation Portable Slim and Lite (redesign) |
The PlayStation Portable (officially abbreviated PSP)[4] is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment.[5] Development of the console was first announced during E3 2003,[6] and it was unveiled on May 11, 2004 at a Sony press conference before E3 2004.[7] The system was released in Japan on December 12, 2004,[8] in North America on March 24, 2005,[9] and in the PAL region on September 1, 2005.[10]
The PlayStation Portable is the first handheld video game console to use an optical disc format, Universal Media Disc (UMD), as its primary storage media.[11][12] Other distinguishing features of the console include its large viewing screen,[13] robust multi-media capabilities,[14] and connectivity with the PlayStation 3, other PSPs, and the Internet.[15][16]
Despite the console's superior computing power and its multimedia capabilities, sales have consistently lagged behind its main competitor, the Nintendo DS.[17] After the release of a remodeled, slimmer, and lighter version of the PlayStation Portable, appropriately titled Slim and Lite, in early September 2007, sales quadrupled in the United Kingdom the following week and increased by nearly 200% in North America for the month of October.[18][19]
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