182w ago - This weekend Siliconera.com (linked above) discovered a Qriocity trademark filed by Sony recently which many are speculating could be used for a new Sony handheld device or online service.

Just a few days ago a survey revealed that Sony is considering premium PSN subscriptions, possibly to be called Qriocity (pronounced like "curiosity"), or even for the upcoming PSP-4000 handheld.

The trademark has been filed in association with "portable gaming machines" and "game services provided online from a computer network."

It could be anything, and since it was filed by Sony and not specifically Sony Computer Entertainment, it may be linked with a whole range of products according to Kotaku.

However, the similarity to the "Qore" name makes it sound like a PlayStation related product or service. Sony has also registered Qriocity.com a few months before filing the trademark papers.

196w ago - Sony Computer Entertainment America appears to be working on a game called TV Superstars.

The trademark they registered (below) is for use with games and "operating a real-time game for others over global and local computer networks."

To quote: "Looks like SCEA may be working on a brand new multiplayer online game called TV Superstars, as evidenced by a new trademark unearthed by Siliconera.

Details are scant beyond the fact that it's both online and a game. Our first guess? It's Sony's attempt at competing against Xbox LIVE's 1 Vs. 100 application (pictured above). With so little information to work with, we can't really offer any other hypotheses."

202w ago - Update: PSU has now received a response from Sony as follows, to quote: "We have a long history of creating unique loyalty programs such as PlayStation Underground, which started with the original PlayStation and has evolved into the Gamer Advisory Panel.

We continue to look for ways to expand this program and we are evaluating new naming conventions for this evolution, which is why we filed a trademark for PlayStation Thanks."

A trademark filed by Sony Computer Entertainment America on July 31, 2009 has revealed what is likely to be an upcoming Sony rewards program.

The wordmark "P.S. THANKS" (PlayStation Thanks) shows the following description:

ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES, NAMELY, INCENTIVE REWARDS PROGRAM GEARED TOWARD QUANTIFYING, IDENTIFYING AND MOTIVATING TOP CONSUMER BASE WITH THE GOAL OF PROMOTION AND SALE OF VIDEO GAME HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

To quote: "There are a number of ways Sony could incentivize their customer base. They could hand out points for each item purchased and reward frequent buyers with PlayStation products sort of like Club Nintendo.

Or they could quantify...

206w ago - Today VG247.com (linked above) have uncovered a recently filed trademark by Sony for EchoShift.

According to the application, on July 1, 2009 Sony Computer Entertainment of America, Inc. filed for what some are already speculating to be an upcoming EchoChrome sequel.

No further details are available at this time, aside from the fact that the applications class reveals "Computer game software and video game software."

For those unaware, EchoChrome (available for both PS3 via PSN and PSP) gameplay involves a mannequin figure traversing a rotatable world where physics and reality depend on perspective.

EchoChrome is also a playable arcade mini-game in the Bowling Alley/Game Space of PlayStation Home.