Live from Leipzig: North American Hardware Announcements

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Hi everyone…as you read this, our counterparts at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe are wrapping up a press conference at the GC – Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, which is the European version of E3. Some new PlayStation hardware was announced, and I wanted to let you know the details of how these products will be making their way to North America.

Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune PS3 Bundle with 160GB PS3 System

The 160GB PS3 system announced at the GC will be available here as part of a new limited-edition bundle that includes the hardware, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune game, a PLAYSTATION Network voucher for PAIN, and a DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller. We’re hearing from a lot of you that more PS3 storage space is important, particularly since the launch of our video delivery service, and this new model delivers more memory and a whole lot of content packed-in. The 160GB PS3 has all of the same functionality as the new 80GB PS3 that’s popping up on retailer shelves now, but obviously has twice the HDD space, so you can build levels to your heart’s content in LittleBigPlanet, download a ton of videos, and still have room for your entire music collection. The Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune 160GB PS3 bundle launches in November for $499.99 (MSRP).

PS3 160gb bundle

New PSP Entertainment Packs with updated PSP (PSP-3000)

We also unveiled at Leipzig an updated PSP system (PSP-3000), which we’ll be offering here initially through the previously announced Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack and a new PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack. I’m personally excited about the 4GB Memory bundle because we’re including a – you guessed it – 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, which is the biggest Memory Stick we’ve ever bundled with a PSP. Similar to the new PS3 model, this PSP bundle is the result of the current consumer usage model – where more and more of you are finding that extra memory space is crucial. Check out the press release here for more details on what’s included in the bundles.

PSP-3000 - Piano Black

The new PSP retains the size and features of the current, slimmed-down PSP (PSP-2000), while incorporating some hardware updates:

  • The LCD screen will have a wider color gamut and higher contrast ratio to deliver deeper, more vibrant colors, as well as anti-reflection technology so you can see the screen more clearly when playing outdoors. As you all know, the PSP’s screen is a key strength of the hardware, and this update adds an absolutely dazzling LCD screen to the handheld.
  • A built-in microphone allows for Skype calls and multi-player gaming communication directly from the hardware – eliminating the need for attaching a separate headset.

Similar to our firmware updates, the new PSP is simply an opportunity to evolve the platform with the newest technology without adding to the cost of the system. The PSP Entertainment Packs will continue to be $199.99 (MSRP), and later this year we’ll release a standalone, updated PSP in a PSP Core Pack, which remains at $169.99 (MSRP).

Ratchet PSP Entertainment Pack

PS3 Wireless Keypad

Lastly, we’ve announced a new Wireless Keypad for PS3 that will make text communications and Web browsing much easier. The Wireless Keypad snaps onto the top of a SIXAXIS or DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller and comes with some cool features, including a mode that turns the main key area into a touch pad (similar to a touch pad on a Laptop computer). Once in this mode, you can slide your finger on this area to move the cursor on the screen and tap to enter. There will be two short cut buttons on the Keypad that will enable users to jump directly to the XMB’s “Friends” icon and the “Message Box” during gameplay. The Wireless Keypad will launch in late November.

PS3 Wireless Keypad

Last but not least, the Wireless Keypad is a Bluetooth device that can not only be used with the PS3 system but with any other Bluetooth enabled device that has Keyboard functionality. You will be able to use it with your smart phones and other portable devices that are equipped with Bluetooth. With the PS3 system, it can be paired and charged seamlessly just by connecting them with a USB cable.

PS3 Wireless Keypad

That’s all for now on the hardware front. You’ll see much more on the games shown at GC in Leipzig in the coming days.

Comments are closed.

289 Comments

  • While the bigger size is important, and I agree that it is. You guys are still doing something wrong, and the thing you guys are doing wrong is no longer supporting backwards compatibility, and I know alot of people out there who believes that backwards compatibility, so please make a backwards compatibility ps3 with emotion chip inside, cause it helps, and it makes for a better business, trust me on this one. I’m just giving a suggestion. Cause of backwards compatibility being taken away from us, lets just say I’m glad I got the emotion chiped 60gb ps3 when it still exist, and a wii.

  • “Many of us would like to see custom PSN profile avatars, or new updated PSN profile avatars weekly like we do themes and wallpapers.”

  • Increased storage capacity is definitely an important improvement for the 160GB PS3. I feel that for the added cost though it should include the 4 USB/Memory card ports. I can understand having a cheaper core model without these features but Sony should try to keep premium bundles standardized for the sake of the consumer.

    Also the PSP-3000 sounds really nice. Have been meaning to grab a PSP and this might just be the determining factor.

    Quick question though, can we ever expect a colored variation for a non-bundled PSP?

  • hello every one this is my first post here on playstaytion blog and i just wanted to show my love 4 sony by trying to help out by giving my amature comments the best in the game industry… so here i go sony i am a huge fan and i think tha the hardware is great with the wireless keybored and all but i think need to focus on the first party games,home, and i beilive that u need to force trophies because we want them and they sell games and i only think u should focus on first party games because microsoft keep stealing our third party exclusives and please dont take it as im saying ur doing bad because i beilive that at e3 u took a big step in the right direction with the video store and everything else but i just wanna see u do even better because as i said im a huge sony fan and i plan to work 4 yall one day so pls if possible respon thank you in advance

  • Too bad no info on when NA GPS will come for the PSP, gee I really don’t want to do custom fw to get what the rest of the world has, i was looking forward to thatsince I travel quite a bit sometimes and get lost half the time, lol, and i want to only utilize one device, since i’ve already got the PSP mounted as an mp3/video player most of the time in the car! Please be sometime soon……

    Hmm maybe I should wait for the psp4000, at this rate it should be rolling out soon

  • I don’t get all this fuss over on other sites about the PSP-3000 being too soon. Sony Said it would be finding ways to make the PSP better, and cheaper with less addons for the avrage customer to buy into a long time ago. The only ones whineing are ones who waited for the Blue-Madden bundle.

    It was their loss that they waited so long. Unlike the DS Lite and Nintendo Sony wan’ts the PSP to last, and grow and expand not only in software features, but in hardware as well. They said this from the begining fo the PSP release.

    I’m going to get the new PS3 Keypad for sure, as well as this new PSP-3000 model. Plus what gamers fail to see is the new PSP hardware thats built in will allow more online games to have VOIP support, and even more so Skype will now be a built in feature on the PSP system.

    I think this was a great move by Sony as many people on the forums here were asking why Skype, and the mics were not built into the PSP like they are on the DS lite. (it has a built in mic)

    This means that now games like gutar Hero, and games like BF:BC are more possable because the PSP has a built in mic for online communication. I expect that way more developers will look into supporting the PSP-3000 line more then they have the earler models because now it has all the features that are on most modern consoles.

  • I’m really digging the keypad attachment! I can’t wait cuz browsing and chatting has been…well not as easy as a pc XD

    It’s too bad I already bought a PSP slim not that long ago so if its just the built in mic and a better glare thingy for outdoors I won’t be needing to upgrade afterall…i mainly game inside. Cool nonetheless

  • Please please please bring backward compatibility back to the PS3. I don’t care if it costs €600! I have a relatively large (40+) collection of mostly unforgettable classic PS2 games and I’d love to be able to play them on a newer machine then my first gen ps2. I bought a 360 because I’m still waiting for the BC enabled PS3.

    So please bring the BC back, I missed out on the first wave of PS3.

  • I.
    Want.
    That.
    Thumpad.

  • about the lack of HOME info… a games trailer appeared on the uk ps store today which showed glimpses, dunno if you guys in the us got the trailer aswell but maybe we will get some info soon :)

  • HAHA my birthday is in Nov.I can get the new PS3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.thats how cool it is at times having a late birth month

  • The 160GB PS3 is impressive concidering it now beats 360s largest HDD in storage capacity. Although I’m quite happy with my 60GB model PS3 and the 320GB Samsung HDD I installed in it.

    Each new PSP model is looking better and better with more features put into it. Unlike the DS wich just gets smaller… and nothing more.

    And as for the keypad attachment, all I can say is… TOOK LONG ENOUGH. But opinions aside, it does look quite handy. I use the Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro for typeing and web browsing because is a lot easier to navigate and text friends with it of course. So I doute I’ll be replacing it with the keypad attachment but I’m deffinitly going to try it out when it comes out.

  • Interesting stuff Jeff, but I really need a few questions answered before I pick up a ps3.

    After a good year or two of saving, I’ve met my goal but have come across another problem. Having troubles in being able to find a ps3 model with backwards compatibility.

    While there are more then a few people who have keep going on about how it doesn’t matter, I still would like it as an option. From these comments and the Playstation forums, I don’t think this is an unshared thought.

    The idea of the PS2 my bro plays keeling over due to DRE issues(this has burned me before) also keeps it relevant(btw, DDR games are still NOT supported by the software compatibility).

    I would appreciate answers to these questions. While press releases can contain a reasonable amount of coverage and detail the hardware significantly, they’ve left me shortchanged on information lately pertaining to my concerns. Any clarification on my troubles would be heavily appreciated.

  • Whoever designed the PS3 keypad must be blind, because that thing looks like pure crap.

  • When the backwards compatible models are gone on the shelves, that’s when I’m concerned about any repair on my BC capable unit, because that’s one of the main reasons that set Sony apart in the past compared to the competition, and gave me piece of mind to upgrade and have at least my software titles working on one device instead of having to hook up two or three and the associated mess.

    Whatever marketing tool thought it was good to strip the BC out for profitability should be selling hot dogs on the street corner. Period.

  • I wonder what would be the firmware when it is released….

  • Sometimes, I think you guys just forget about HOME completely at these HUGE events. Whats up Sony? Get on the ball. People WANT home.

  • (160gb Sony Playstation 3)

    why isn’t the 160gb ps3 not coming here in Australian thats not fair I was hoping of buying the 160gb playstation 3 but now I can’t what a real bummer I hope Sony Australian lets us buy the 160gb playstation 3 here Australian. The rest of the world gets a 160gb playstation 3 but not Australian why Australian….

  • PSP Fanatic here, and i my psp was stolen like 2 weeks ago, now i’m ready to get the new 3000version and a new 4gb memory card; its almost like their bringing this out just for me… Thank PS.

    P.s. Plz people, put the right comments in the right blogs, it helps so that the people can go thru our messages better, and come back w/ comments.

    PSN: teb_60 “Let’s play together, let’s stay together”

  • Ok is the PSP ever going to have bluetooth capabilities and motion sensors? I mean I would like the PSP to also be a controller for the PS3. Think about it. Wouldn’t it be cool to play a game like Madden and have the play book in your hands without the other guy scoping you out? Or even play Grand Turismo and see the map of the track on the PSP.Sony hurry up and make this happen the I-Phone has motion sensing so im pretty sure you guys can fit this in a PSP. It would make a lot of sense.

  • Lots of good stuff! I’ll definitely be buying a PSP 3000 when the core system is made available.

    However, I must join those speaking out about the lack of a “premium” PS3. Sure, more storage is great. Having 160GB out-of-box is more than plenty. However, storage space isn’t a major concern. Sony made the PS3 so it could be easily upgraded with bigger HDDs, right?

    My two biggest concerns are the abandoning of backwards compaitiblity and the card readers/four USB ports. Though a lot of consumers have no use for card readers, more than two USB ports or BC, there are those (like myself) who rushed out to buy the 60GB, especially after the announcement was made that the EE chip was being removed along with the card readers and two of four USB ports.

    As long as there’s a stripped-down 40GB model, there should definitely be a premium model that has all the bells and whistles the PS3 was originally touted to have as it was to be the all-in-one media center. I am sure there are consumers out there willing to pay $600 for a new premium model that not only has the new motherboard, more efficient heat sinks, quieter fans but also BC, card readers and four USB ports.

  • Please SCEA hear my plea! I would be eternally greatful if you brought over the White PSP to North America, all the other regions have it and I really don’t want to import one. I am not a big fan of Darth Vader thus why I did not buy the white star wars one, so please can you bring over the White PSP 3000 without any series/game branding?

  • Not sure I care for the position of the keyboard, Like the look though, but you’ll have to let go of everything and move you’re hands up to it to type anything, unless you have really long thumbs? Might as well just have a separate usb keyboard… everything else looks nifty though.

  • hey i just picked up a psp 2001 the other day can I up grade for real

  • oh the key-board in nice leave 360 in the dust thats whats up

  • It’s about time they made a keyboard that attaches to the controllers. It’s even better for the fact it’s bluetooth and can be used with phones though. It’s also about time they intergrated the mic into the new PSP3000. It’s a hassle to use those headsets all the time. I also think that it’s a good idea to have such an enhanced memory bundle for the psp because the 1 or 2gb memory sticks get filled up so fast.

  • Sweet. The new PSP 3000 and the PS3 Wireless keypad is awsome. I going to get them both.
    Thanks for the update Sony.

  • This is awesome stuff, frist i want the keypad reallly bad, and when is the Ratchet and clank: size matters psp comes out ?

  • Oh ya and the psp 3000 looks kool :) maybe ill get that!

  • The keyboard looks sick…

    I have always wanted a keyboard but wanted a bluetooth but they are pricy…

    I will definatley be picking this up…Great job with the snap on instead of buying a whole new controller….!!!!

  • WTF There Better be backwards compatibility and i don’t understand why they cant put 2 eyes in the system and just program it to know if its PS2 software and make it read with the other eye because people in other companies do that. and does HOME RING A BELL!!!!!!!!!!!!. and that sucks about the PSP because i just got a 2001 series sony PSP but i can just buy the head set just $20 not that much.BUT PLEASE SONY BRING ALL OF THE COOL FEATURES BACK LIKE THE MEMORY CARD SLOTS AND 4 USB SLOTS.

  • Any updates on the PSP GPS unit?

  • Is there any news about 40 GB PS3 Backwards Compatibility? I saw a screenshot that clearly showed games such as MGS 2, Red Faction, and The Bouncer available as downloadable titles. Is this ever actually gonna happen?

  • sony the date for the redeem cards so i can buy stuff from the psn

  • im glad i held off getting the slim this 3000 looks way cooler. now i can finally get read of my awful old 1000

  • I want to get a PS3. But what stops me is the removal of essential things, such as:
    1. Card readers
    2. SACD (Sony format)
    3. 4x USB Ports
    4. Hardware PS2 backwards compatibility

    Please add these to next version of PS3. I want to have a truly all in one system for multimedia. Also, technology costs have fallen.

    Regards,
    GANJAGURU

  • One word…. Epic!!!!!

  • I’m right there with Ganjaguru that’s my main reason for holding back from buying a PS3. I don’t own a Playstation one and Playstation 2,I don’t even have the space to place 3 consoles onto one shelf. The only version of the PS2 I liked was the original model that had the internal HDD housing space because I used to play Final Fantasy XI on it and it was great to move old game saves to the hard drive to free up space from the memory cards.

    As for the PSP I’m glad I didn’t buy the current model I just hope there will be one bundled with an RPG game and a good one at that like Star Ocean or something.

  • can we leave messages to are friends using voice messages instead of typing they have that feature in xbox live

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