200w ago - I slapped the 'rumor' status on this one for now until others can confirm it... today TheSixthAxis.com (linked above) via CVG are claiming that Sony finally pushed the button marked "obligatory" on PS3 Firmware Update 2.80.

This comes after Sony's Director of Network Operations stated that with 2.8 it was an option to update as there wasn't any consumer-specific functionality.

According to both the US and EU Updaters, it still is showing only 2.76 is required to go online with the PS3, as follows:

Dest=84;CompatibleSystemSoftwareVersion=2.7600-;
Dest=85;CompatibleSystemSoftwareVersion=2.7600-;

If anyone can confirm otherwise, feel free to do so in the comments below!

201w ago - According to an internal memo JoyStiq (linked above) received, Zellers - the Canadian retail chain - may no longer be stocking the 80GB PlayStation 3 Core bundle.

The memo specifically notes that employees are not to take rainchecks on an advertised deal allowing customers to purchase an 80GB core bundle with any PS3 game under $30 for a total price of $380 (after a $20 discount).

To quote: The memo notes that rainchecks can't be accepted because the company "can not promise" to fill them with the same item.

Assuming the document is real (the contact info - which we've redacted - is legitimate), it could imply that Sony is no longer offering the 80GB PS3 Core bundle to the retailer, possibly meaning the bundle itself is being discontinued.

The memo certainly jives with industry speculation that Sony will clear 80GB stock in advance of a price cut, new 160GB bundles and possibly even the elusive PS3 Slim as well.

Of course, it's also possible that the store is simply waiting for more 80GB Core models to be manufactured, though it seems unlikely that it would choose to stop taking rainchecks if that were the case.

208w ago - Last year Atari hired former Sony Worldwide Studios boss Phil Harrison to serve as President. Now? Now he's no longer President.

According to a statement made by Atari as part of the company's fiscal year report:

Because of a shift of business operations to the US, Phil Harrison will move from the role of President to that of non-executive Director of the Group. As all Board members, he will continue to assist, support and guide the Company's strategy.

He's still sticking around, sure, but the whole "non-executive" thing makes his new job title sound awfully ceremonial.

Which, if correct, is a shame for Atari, since Harrison is one of the most well-known and successful public faces a company can hope for in this business.

No word yet on what this move means for both Atari and Harrison, along with who, exactly, will be replacing him (the company's report does not specifically name a replacement).

217w ago - Just logged in today with one of my alt accounts and it is no longer locked to the account that originally purchased it.

This ticked me off so much when I originally bought it from the PlayStation Store that I never bought a PSN version of any game due to not wanting to get burnt again by Sony.

Why would I buy a game if my whole family can't play it on there own accounts?

I'm sure the original account must be present on the console your playing on but I can't confirm this because my wife is playing on her account at the moment. lol

Well thumbs up to Sony for finally getting rid of this stupid restriction.

Regards,
Krack3n

224w ago - Against all odds, the PlayStation 2 is still hanging around, though it's ailing rapidly. According to Sony though, the PlayStation 3 will last even longer. To quote:

Speaking to T3 via CVG, a Sony rep made a statement that discourages the thought of expecting a PlayStation 4 anytime soon.

"PS2 was still going strong after eight years, and with the power the Cell processor provides, not to mention the fact that PS3 is inherently future-proof, we see the PS3 sales curve far outlasting that of PS2."

Meanwhile, most analysts seem to think that new consoles will be hitting in 2011 or 2012. The PlayStation 3 is indeed a powerful console, so it'll be interesting to see if developers can continue unlocking the machine's full potential four or even five years down the road.