150w ago - In a recent interview with CVG, SCEE's Mick Hocking confirmed previous reports that 3D Blu-ray movie support will indeed be coming to the PlayStation 3 this year along with support for 3D Photos via two PS3 3D Firmware updates.

The first PlayStation 3 3D Firmware update will arrive in September, while the second doesn't have a date set yet.

To quote: "In September this year, we're launching another Firmware upgrade - and this one is going to upgrade the PS3 to support Blu-ray movies in 3D," said Hocking.

"Again, you won't have to do anything - just connect your PS3. For the film market that's a very significant event. Then later in the year - we're not going to date it yet - the PS3 is going to support 3D photos.

Of course the popularity of 3D isn't just going to come from movies and games. There's 3D cameras on the market, there's 3D camcorders coming on the market in the next 12 months as well, and 3D broadcasts."

153w ago - This weekend SKFU shared news of a research project that himself, iQD and a few others have began work on with the PS3 Blu-ray drive in order to, among other goals, run PlayStation 3 game backups from the PS3 HDD.

Getting Sony's PlayStation 3 entertainment system to function without a BDD was not a difficult challenge for them, however, many may recall previous attempts by MysticHades among others to examine PS3 hacks which allow running game backups from the hard disk drive.

Earlier this year, knightsolidus detailed the Blu-ray drive PS3 CXD4302GB Chip Test Points, and Spanish site Elotrolado reported on a PS3 exploit found to run PlayStation 3 backups along with a leaked Sony Disc Boot Game Patch Programming Guide.

Prior to that, PS3 developers examined several PS3...

162w ago - Today TechRadar.com (linked above) received word from Sony Computer Entertainment of the first 3D games that will be arriving for the PS3 entertainment system, and also news that the rumored June PlayStation 3 Firmware update won't include Blu-ray 3D support.

The PS3 titles already confirmed are Wipeout HD, Motorstorm Pacific Rift, PAIN and Super Stardust HD... all slated to be released through PSN the same day the 3D TVs, the Bravia LED LCD HX803 range, launches.

To quote: "The PlayStation 3 will eventually get 3D Blu-ray compatibility but this is to come in the form of another firmware update later in the year.

While it's great that Sony will be offering 3D for free on the PS3, the delay of 3D Blu-ray on the console will be a blow to those PS3 owners looking to buy a 3D TV and save money on not purchasing a 3D Blu-ray player."

163w ago - This weekend Engadget (linked above) reported that unlike going 3D this summer, Sony's PS3 entertainment system won't be able to read the upcoming 128GB BDXL Spec Blu-ray discs with just a PlayStation 3 Firmware update... a new player will likely be required.

To quote: "The Blu-ray Disc Association's rolling out a new BDXL format capable of holding up to 128GB (write-once) or 100GB (rewriteable).

Before you get too excited, you should know that you'll need a new player to access these - even a firmware update won't save the PS3 this time - since they go up to three or four layers deep and will likely need a more powerful laser."

Press Release: Blu-ray Disc Association Announces Additional Format Enhancements

LOS ANGELES (Business Wire) Apr 03, 2010 The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) today announced two new media specifications that use Blu-ray Disc technology to provide targeted functionality for commercial and consumer applications. The specifications for BDXL™ (High Capacity Recordable and Rewritable discs) and IH-BD (Intra-Hybrid discs) are expected in the next few months.

The BDXL specification, which is targeted primarily at commercial segments such as...

169w ago - Today PS3Center.net (linked above) has ran across a free new iPhone application dubbed Pocket Blu, which essentially turns your iPhone into a Blu-ray player and PS3 remote control.

It can be downloaded from the iPhone App Store and is being labeled as "the perfect utility application to compliment your Blu-ray movie watching experience."

The app is also also available for Blackberry and Android devices.

Requirements:

• Pocket BLU enabled Blu-ray discs
• BD-Live enabled Blu-ray player
• Pocket BLU enabled device
• Wi-Fi connection

Current Pocket BLU enabled Blu-ray discs: Bruno, Funny People, Public Enemies, Inglourious Basterds, American Pie 7 - American Pie Presents: Book of Love, 9, Smokin' Aces 2: Assassin's Ball, Couples Retreat, Cirque du Freak, and Fourth Kind.