121w ago - Today rms has released a PS3 Model Detection PKG homebrew application for determining the PlayStation 3 model so that, among other things, users can see if their console is supported by the various PS3 Custom Firmware (CFW) updates available.

Currently the PS3 homebrew app supports both 3.41 and 3.55 Firmware systems in addition to Waninkoko 3.55 PS3 Custom Firmware.

Download: PS3 Model Detection PKG for 3.41 FW / PS3 Model Detection PKG for 3.55 FW / PS3 Model Detection PKG for 3.55 Waninkoko CFW

To quote: "Have you ever wondered what specific version of hardware was inside of your PS3?

Well, a dev by the name of rms, has created a PS3 app that identifies exactly that.

The app, appropriately called PS3 Model Detection, will tell you your PS3's System Target ID, Motherboard Revision, and BD-Laser Revision."

132w ago - Following up on his previous work, this weekend Spanish PS3 developer PS3MrEnigma has released source code for a PS3 tool that can be used to test and obtain model version data (20/40/60/80 etc) on various PlayStation 3 systems.

Download: PS3 Tool to Test Model Version Data PKG And Source Code

To quote, roughly translated: "In this post I introduce a small tool that will allow us to know more about the model of our machines.

The usefulness of this tool is simply to show on screen the data returned by the SYSCALL 0 Ã-- 363 with the parameter 0 Ã-- 19004 to get the model and submodel, make that application to accurately check all machines possible that the data. We returned in byte 5 and byte 7 always correspond in the case of same model and submodel machine.

Bearing in mind that I could only have access to 4 machines when performing the post explaining the SYSCALL 0 Ã-- 363 , which is why as many people can give their feedback or report on the blog with the data and specifying what type of machine has (Slim or Phat, and submodel (60, 40, etc)) together with the data we created the tool would be easier to...

146w ago - This weekend a new PS3 Slim model CECH-2500A complete with a 160GB PlayStation 3 hard disk drive hits Japan, and based on a comparison the updated revision is slightly more eco-friendly too!

As reported previously, a PS3 HDMI cable will also be included with the new PS3 model along with 802.11b/g WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR that was first announced pre-E3.

According to a comparison chart from JustPushStart.com (linked above), the PS3 CECH-2500A will also save the environment and video gamers money as it runs slightly more efficiently than previous PlayStation 3 models.

Those interested can check out the greener PS3 comparison chart below.

196w ago - Today we uncovered a second PS3 Slim model CECH-2000B (not to be confused with the already known CECH-2000A 120GB model) on the FCC site that Sony tried to hide under a company called Sand Dollar Enterprise, Inc. of 1518 Ascension Drive in San Mateo CA.

Now, Sand Dollar Enterprise, Inc is represented by SCEA's General Council, Riley Russell.

This house is actually a private residence, but whomever lives here filed the documents with the FCC, most likely on the behalf of Sony, as they would be much harder to find with a different FCC ID (XCE) than that of Sony (AK8).

This means that some time in the future (for probably a premium, maybe $349 or so), a new PS3 Slim may come out featuring a 250GB HDD. There is not much of a difference, but expect it to be bundled with a game or so, right in time for Christmas!

Also, for the DEVs listening - two new PS3 TEST's were hidden in these documents, thats right, Slim Line DEBUG stations!

The models DECH-2000A, features a 150GB HDD, and should be adorned...

198w ago - Popular French Web site JeuxVideo (linked above) is reporting that they have received confirmation of a PS3 price cut to 299 Euros in early September.

Additionally, they have reaffirmed the rumor from two days ago in stating that a new, cheaper PS3 model (likely the long-awaited PS3 Slim) will be announced at Sony's Gamescom press conference held in Cologne on August 18, 2009.

To quote, roughly translated: For many months that the most fanciful rumors circulating on the net about a price drop of the PlayStation 3.

But this time it seems to be confirmed as contacted by us, some wholesalers say that the price of the console Sony will soon drop. And even better, since we can announce that a new version of the console that goes out!

The official announcement of the new cheaper version of the PS3 would be made at the press conference that the Japanese giant held in Cologne at the gamescom Tuesday 18 August at 18h French time, we will cover the show and of course We also...