153w ago - As previously rumored, at E3 2010 Sony PlayStation Network Product Manager James Thorpe has confirmed that a paid-for PlayStation Plus service is indeed on the way with the official PlayStation Plus site going live, but reassured fans that the normal PSN will also remain free.

Additionally, he stated that those who subscribe in time will receive a free copy of LittleBigPlanet for PlayStation 3!

To quote: You may have heard in all the E3 hype that we are launching a new premium subscription service called PlayStation Plus, so I just wanted to give you all a quick heads up on what you can expect to get from this great new service so you have all the info before launch on the 29th June.

The first thing to note is that PlayStation Network is still free to join and all the current features will remain free.  PlayStation Plus will be offering you a service above and beyond this, including loads of content and exclusive, member-only, PSN features.





From 29th June you'll be able to purchase a 1 year or 90-day membership from PlayStation Store and instantly get your hands on...

186w ago - Today JoyStiq (linked above) has expanded on the initial announcement from earlier today that Netflix is officially hitting Sony's PS3 console.

According to Netflix, in order to use its steaming service on the PlayStation 3 the application disc will have to be in the PS3 until 2010.

Apparently Netflix won't have an integrated XMB solution until then, however, it is coming in a PS3 Firmware update.

To quote from the interview: "Joystiq: Was the PS3 application developed internally by Netflix?

Netflix: Yes, with the help of the Sony team.

Can the Netflix application be installed to the PS3 hard dive from the disc? Or must the disc be inserted every time a user wants to access Netflix?

Yes, the Netflix disc has to be inserted every time to access the Netflix service.

Why a disc-based application and not streaming access through the PS3 browser?

Netflix members and PS3 owners have really wanted a way to instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system. The instant streaming disc represented the fastest and easiest way to let them do this.

Why not...

195w ago - Today Sony's Satoshi Hashimoto, in an interview with Impress Watch, confirmed that Sony will not be removing the OtherOS and Linux functionality in old (non-Slim) PlayStation 3 consoles.

Until now, many feared Sony would remove the functionality from older PS3 systems via PS3 Firmware 3.0 or a future update.

Additionally, he stated that there isn't an issue with the feature leaving a security hole with the system.

To quote Andriasang.com (linked above): "Rest assured, this will not happen. Sony's Satoshi Hashimoto, in an interview with Impress Watch, said that Sony will not be removing the feature, which he refers to as "Other OS functionality."

He also assured readers that there currently isn't a problem with the feature leaving a security hole with the system."

225w ago - Speaking in a recent interview, Sony's David Reeves has voiced agreement that the PS3 will always remain the most expensive console.

However he was quick to point out that this doesn't mean the system won't experience any price cuts.

To quote: "I think it will, yes," said Reeves, when asked whether he would agree the PS3 will remain the most expensive console.

"I'm not saying there are going to be any price cuts at all in the short term or the medium term. I'm not saying we don't need to do it - we are expensive. It is possible that as the cost [of manufacturing] comes down, we will be able to do it.

"But we're protecting ourselves with a very hard shell to get through the next one or two years of an economic situation. If you're experienced, you know you have to go into that mode - it's like being an armadillo. You have to be hard, and then you will come out when the sun comes out."