Hasta La Gadget!

It’s the hardware marriage we all assumed (and hoped) would eventually happen. A report over on gaming site MCV claims Sony is planning to offer an ‘Ultimate Edition’ PlayStation 4 bundle that would include its portable console, the PS Vita, as a pack-in for the UK. Further corroborating this rumor is an alleged image of the bundle (pictured above) said to be featured in MCV‘s upcoming print edition. If this turns out to be true, Brits could very well see the next-gen PlayStation combo hit retail in time for the holidays, although there’s no word on how much it’ll cost. Aside from being a match made in gamer heaven, the purported move is somewhat of a no-brainer for Sony, given the PS4’s much touted Remote Play functionality (which streams next-gen games to the handheld) and the Vita’s less-than-stellar install base. With about a month to go before holiday mania sets in, we should know sooner rather than later just how real this bundle fantasy is and whether it’s also destined for US shores.

Filed under: Gaming, Sony

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Via: Joystiq

Source: MCV

Nintendo fans in Japan have just been offered the motherload of Wii U bundles: two packages that include as many as three games, an extra controller and a subscription to a karaoke service. Both bundles come with either a white or black 32GB console, a matching Wii Remote Plus, 30 days of Nintendo x Joysound Wii Karaoke U service and digital copies of New Super Mario Bros U and Wii Party U. The lower-end package snags all of the above for a cool 32,800 yen (about $332), but an extra 2,000 yen (roughly $20) adds a copy of Wii Fit U and a Fit Meter — although it looks like the requisite balance board will be sold separately. Considering that a standard Wii U Deluxe system now sells for $300, these bundles seem like solid deals. There’s no word if a similar compilation is being prepared for international markets, but at least we have the limited-edition Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD bundle to comfort us.

Filed under: Gaming, Nintendo

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Source: Nintendo

For those who find sports is the string keeping them from cutting loose of traditional pay-TV services, ESPN president John Skipper’s comments today are a bit of good news / bad news. Speaking to Bloomberg, he revealed the network has had talks to offer its content on internet TV services like the ones we’ve heard Google, Sony and Intel (among others *cough Apple*) are interested in offering. What he and a network spokesman made clear however, is that any agreement would involve those services offering a package of channels, just like current cable, satellite and telco providers. That would make it harder for any online service to differentiate itself on content or pricing, but we’ll have to wait for one to actually launch to find out for sure.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Bloomberg

Microsoft has pursued ever more exotic shapes in the name of comfort. Its new Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop might just take the cake, however. The all-wireless bundle’s centerpiece, the Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard, centers around a U-shaped layout that keeps wrists in more natural positions; there’s also a cushioned palm rest and a separate number pad. Its companion Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse, meanwhile, relies on a gently sloped design that allows for a Start screen shortcut and a tilting scroll wheel. Both the Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop and a stand-alone version of the mouse should ship this month at respective prices of $130 and $60, while the keyboard will fly solo this September for $81.

If your forearms don’t need quite so much coddling, Microsoft is also putting its Sculpt Comfort Keyboard and Sculpt Comfort Mouse together in one kit. The not-so-creatively titled Sculpt Comfort Desktop (shown after the break) drops the number pad and uses more conventional shapes across the board, with the exception of the mouse’s swipe-driven touch tab. We suspect many who buy the Comfort Desktop this month will most like its $80 price — it’s a better deal than the Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop for those who only need the fundamentals.

Filed under: Desktops, Peripherals, Microsoft

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Via: Windows Experience Blog

Source: Microsoft (1), (2)

Ever dance with a rabbit who shilled new StreetPass diversions in the bright sunlight? No? Well, the latest 3DS update will fix that. Within the system’s StreetPass Plaza dwells a white lagomorph with a penchant for salesmanship. After the anthropomorphic bunny describes each title and shows it off in the cutest and most Nintendo way possible, you can buy the quartet of new releases — Mii Force, Flower Town, Warrior’s Way and Monster Manor — individually or as a discounted bundle. Each is $5 a pop, or with the package deal you can get all four for $15. The patch also brings another Puzzle Swap picture, Mii accessories purchasable with tickets earned from playing the new StreetPass games and new unlockable Mii hats. Nintendo says you can change your Mii’s facial expression when StreetPassing with another user, too. Sure, Japanese and European owners got this a few weeks ago, but that shouldn’t spoil the fun if you’re in the US.

Filed under: Gaming

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Source: Nintendo