Sony Officially Adds Skype to PlayStation Portable.

As promised, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. officially released a new firmware that lets owners of PlayStation Portable to communicate with each other using Skype voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) service. The move brings PSP a significant advantage over rival Nintendo DS, though, it is not certain that this advantage will make PlayStation Portable more popular in general.

Initially the new firmware version 3.90 will only be available from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and only for PlayStation Portable Slim and Lite versions. To use Skype on PSP, users simply need to upgrade to system software 3.90, register and talk, using a headset and remote control or Go! Cam. After updating the PSP system software, a Skype icon will be added to the Network category in the home menu.

With Skype loaded, Sony PlayStation Portable game console becomes one of the most sophisticated entertainment and communication devices available. Even though PSP owners will still have to carry a cellphone with them, they may not need to have an advanced and heavy handset.

Back in August 2007 the leading maker of game consoles teamed up with British Telecom to add VoIP functionality to PlayStation Portable device. The service by BT was based on its BT Softphone software and end-users had to pay for their calls. With Skype for PSP inside, gamers will only have to ensure their PSPs are connected to a wireless network and can make calls for free, or at a very low rate, if they phone to a landline or cell phone.

Sony Intros 2 DSLRs at PMA 2008

At the PMA 2008 trade show in Las Vegas, Sony unveiled two new DSLRs; the 10.2 mega pixels Alpha 300 DSLR, and the 14.2 mega pixels Alpha 350 DSLR.

Both Alpha 300 and Alpha 350 DSLRs deploy Sony’s Live View system, which allows users compose images on screen rather than through the optical viewfinder only. The Live View system uses two sensors; one for LCD imaging, and the other for photo capture. It promises potential reduction in focusing times in dark indoor situations.
Both cameras feature Sony’s SteadyShot sensor-shift image stabilization, an anti-dust system, a 2.7-inches 230,000 pixels display which tilts out to make for easier shot composition when holding the camera above or below eye level, and a lithium ion battery that boasts 750 shots between charges.

Of the two DSLRs, the Alpha 300 will be available in two versions: the Alpha 300K and the Alpha 300X. The Alpha 300K has SAL-1870 DT 18-70mm (27 – 105 35mm eq) f3.5 Zoom lens, while the Alpha 300X comes with two lenses — the SAL-1870 and the SAL-55200 DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 Telephoto Zoom lens.

Both variants of the Alpha 300 feature dynamic range optimizer to automatically adjust shots to make them more natural looking, fix back-light effects, and brighten shadowy shots. The Alpha 300K and 300X have two levels of anti-dust protection for the CCD; one, a physical anti-dust coating on the CCD filter, and the other, a shaking mechanism to shake dust off of the sensor.

The other camera introduced by Sony, the Alpha 350 DSLR, has almost the same specifications as the Alpha 300 DSLR, except that the resolution is bumped up to 14.2 mega pixels.

Sony Adds Video Compatibility to Digital Imagining GPS Receiver

Sony GPS-CS1KASP device able to trace video footage with GPS coordinates

To update an announcement made last year, Sony today said it will bundle new versions of Picture Motion Browser software and Image Tracker software with its GPS receiver for digital imaging products.

With this new software, the GPS-CS1KASP device can trace the GPS coordinates of your video footage to an online map, courtesy of Google™. The product will continue to support GPS tagging of digital still photos.

Benefits of the new GPS-CS1KASP device include:

•    The GPS receiver records your location every 15 seconds so you can trace your course while recording video or pinpoint the loacation where you took a photo.

•   The updated software pairs the GPS recordings with your video and still photos so you can trace your video, or plot your photo, to an online map, courtesy of the Google maps™ mapping service.

•   The cylindrical 12-channel receiver is only 3.5-inches long and weights just two ounces.

•   Compatible with virtually any digital camera or camcorder, the product is able to store 360 hours of coordinates on its internal memory.

Sony includes two new attachment accessories so you can secure to the GPS receiver to your arm when running or hiking or to your bike when cycling.  The product continues to offer a carabiner to attach the receiver to a backpack or a belt loop.

The GPS-CS1KASP device will be available next month for about $150 at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores
 

Sony Ericsson cuts deals with 10 music labels

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson said it had signed deals with 10 music labels to add content to its PlayNow service, which lets users download music via their mobile phones.

Sony Ericsson, owned by Ericsson and Sony Corp., said the deals added 5 million new tracks to its catalogue.

The venture said in a statement late on Sunday it had signed deals with Sony BMG, Warner Music Group, EMI, The Orchard, IODA, The PocketGroup, Hungama, X5Music, Bonnier Amigo and VidZone.

Sony Ericsson, which made the announcement at a trade show in Cannes, France, said it was negotiating further deals with regional labels.

The company introduced PlayNow in February 2004 as a way to listen to and then purchase ringtones for mobile phones. Since then, it as expanded the service, allowing full music tracks and games to be downloaded and other features. It said PlayNow was available in 32 countries.

Fact or Fiction: Sony first developed the Playstation for Nintendo.

With the Wii selling like Krispy Kreme hotcakes and the DS thoroughly thrashing the PSP, Nintendo can’t seem to do anything wrong these days. Or perhaps they’re just making up for the single biggest whoopsie in the history of the console wars.

This dirty little secret dates back to the late 1980s. At the time, Nintendo was considering introducing CD-ROM technology as an add-on to their forthcoming Super Nintendo system. Initially they inked a deal with Sony, but just before announcing the partnership at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1989, Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi backed out due to poor contract wording that would have handed far too much control over the burgeoning format to Sony. Talks quickly fell apart, and eventually Sony decided to move forward with their technology by incorporating it into a Sony-branded machine. Injunctions by Nintendo were dismissed by the courts, clearing the path for Sony to start working on the newly dubbed Sony Playstation.

Sony’s New Subnotebooks Prove It Gets The MacBook Air

The new Vaio TZ has a beautiful, subtly etched case offered in flocked champagne or charcoal finishes. One example has classic Victorian geometric swirls. Another looks like wallpaper from the 1960s. A third looks like an insane laser-wielding spirograph machine has gone awry on it, and a fourth offers a profusion of leafy designs spiraling toward the logo.

Some people understand the MacBook Air. If your analysis of it spends more than a few moments noodling on features like cellular modems, processor speed and the cross platform compatibility of its external optical drive, you’re not one of them. Sony, by quickly putting fashion design at the forefront of its TZ subnotebooks, knows exactly what Apple is up to.Sony, however, is also an institution of inaction in the face of necessity. These are out soon in Japan: wither the West?

By Rob Beschizza (Wired.com)

Sony’s quarterly profit seen rising 16%, but outlook murky

TOKYO (MarketWatch) — Sony Corp. (6758.TO) is expected to report Thursday that net profit grew by double digits in the October-December quarter on strong sales of electronics and smaller losses at its game division, but analysts remain wary about the company’s prospects in the near term.

The electronics icon will likely book a group net profit of Y184.81 billion ($1.73 billion) for the three months ended Dec. 31, up 16% from Y159.9 billion a year earlier, according to the average forecast of three analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial.

Sony watchers say the strong results will come mainly from a continued turnaround at its core electronics division, which accounts for more than 60% of group revenues. The division was hurt in the previous quarter by losses in its TV business, which is widely expected to have regained profitability as it updated its product line.

“We don’t see any change in strength in digital cameras, camcorders and personal computers from the second quarter, and feel that the recovery in LCD TV share means there is little chance of it weighing down” the result, said JP Morgan analyst Yoshiharu Izumi in a report.

Mainly on robust holiday sales of such gadgetry, group revenues are expected to have climbed 10% to Y2.870 trillion from Y2.608 trillion.

Rumor: PS3 With Monster Hard Drive And Dual Shock 3 To Replace 80GB

Obviously, the biggest rumor floating around is the apparent news that Sony will soon be discontinuing production of the 80GB PlayStation 3 model. Best Buy was the first retailer to post a bit of “closeout” evidence and we’ve also just heard from an inside source at GameStop that said the 80GB model’s SKU was “deleted” in the store’s inventory. But this rumor has prompted another rumor…an even bigger one, believe it or not.

According to ArsTechnica, an inside source of their own who “has been right almost every time” recently spoke about the discontinuation of the 80GB PS3 plus the fact that Sony will continue their two-SKU market approach. Yep, two PS3 models, with one of them being the 40GB model that’s currently on store shelves. But what’s the other version? Here’s what their “mole” had to say-

“Sony is, in fact, phasing out the 80GB PS3. Sony is going to stay with the two-SKU approach though, and the prices look to stay the same. The Spiderman 3 pack-in will disappear as well once the 80GB unit is gone. In order to maintain a similar value proposition to the 80GB/Spiderman 3 bundle, I expect to see a storage increase to 120 or 160GB at the same price point, plus the new Dual-Shock 3 controller…”

Woah. So we’re looking at a $499 PS3 with at least a 120GB hard drive and the Dual Shock 3 included? We’ve known for a while we’d eventually get the DS3 (it’s already available in Japan), and we also knew Sony would be “evaluating consumer demand and market trends” to decide on new PS3 models. But this “underground info” is certainly news to us, and big news at that. Could it be true? Only time will tell…

Sony Ericsson K770i

Sony Ericsson’s latest midrange offering is sleek-looking bar-shape handset that fits easily in the pocket thanks to its rounded edges and slim dimensions (just 14mm thick). It’s flush all over, with no protrusions, including the keypad, whose buttons sit just slightly proud, though they’re tactile enough to keep you on track.

It’s one of the slimmest Cyber-shot phones available and exudes minimalist cool, though the Truffle Brown version we tried (it also comes in beige, violet, bronze and black) gave it a bit of a business feel (in a good, serious kind of way).

The camera lens cover is built into the design as an elongated slide on the back that stretches over most of the back panel. While this makes it easy and quick to access the camera, we also found it to be prone to accidental opening in the pocket (this can happen even when the keypad lock is switched on).

The smallish screen offers 262,000 colours which is as good as anything Sony Ericsson is currently offering but feels a little cramped at 29x34mm. Incidentally, the D-pad is a joy to use, feeling firmer than the plasticky keypad buttons, and offering one-press shortcuts to camera album, messages, contacts and another destination of your choice.

The 256MB Memory Stick Micro supplied fits into a slot on the side of the phone, but you’ll need to take the back off to get to it. And if you want to use your phone to carry music or video, you’ll probably need to upgrade to a bigger card (it’ll take up to 2GB cards).

The camera certainly isn’t the most sophisticated in Sony Ericsson’s impressive Cyber-shot range, but it’s pretty good nonetheless. The BestPic feature (on the likes of the range-topping K850i), which allows you to take nine pics in quick succession, four before and four after you’ve pressed the shutter button, is missing, though there is a more conventional four-shot burst mode.

Another Sony Blu-ray Win: Woolworths drops HD DVD

It seems to be just a matter of time now to we see the end of HD DVD, with the news breaking today that Woolworths in the UK has dropped HD-DVD in favour of the Sony Blu-ray format. This news makes me glad I brought a Sony PS3, what makes this even more significant is the fact that Woolworths is “the UK’s biggest retailer of next-gen DVD discs” and it’s going to exclusively back Blu-ray from March 2008.

The store said that Blu-ray discs outsold HD DVDs by ten-to-one last month. Add this to other news around the world it looks like Blu-ray will be the winner of the next major format.

Do you think the Sony PlayStation 3 machine has added a lot to the success of the Blu-ray format